PEOPLE can vote for their North Devon 'Healthcare Heroes' as part of a new award scheme.

The Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Okehampton and Moretonhampstead Community Hospitals, is looking for its Healthcare Heroes 2012.

The public have been asked by the trust to share their experiences with nurses,

doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists and other health workers who have gone the extra mile to help them this year.

Healthcare heroes can be nominated for the smallest of gestures which made a hospital stay more bearable, or people can vote for someone who routinely goes above and beyond the call of duty in the name of patient care.

The Times will feature the nominations over the next few months, with winners being chosen at the end of the month.

Jac Kelly, chief executive of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, said: 'These awards offer a great opportunity to highlight the excellent, unsung work that takes place, whether in hospital, in a health centre or when our staff visit you in your own home.

'Our staff do this job because they care passionately about your health and your well-being. Quite often they don't realise they have done anything out of the ordinary as it is an everyday occurrence.

'However, we know from the letters and emails we receive that the impact our staff have on the lives and emotions of patients and their families is truly humbling.

'The way in which our staff support families in difficult times, extend the hand of kindness and compassion to patients when the news isn't good, and maintain cheerful encouragement to keep at the rehab exercises following an operation are all skills we know patients are grateful for in their time of need.

'We are calling on Times readers to spare a moment to send in their stories of how our staff have provided exceptional care and support to them and their families.'

To make your nominations, e-mail the Times at [email protected]">[email protected] or write to the Okehampton Times, 8 East Street, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1AS with your nomination and reason for voting.