As the NHS marks its 70th year, viewers of BBC One’s The One Show have been nominating candidates for the first ever NHS Patients Awards. Around 2500 patients and colleagues answered the call sending in their stories of outstanding treatment and care. 

In a special heartfelt edition of the programme Matt Baker and Alex Jones, together with the Patients Association, will honour those who have gone above and beyond in delivering outstanding care to patients and their families and celebrate the inspirational work carried out by NHS staff across five award categories: Baker says: “We’ve been blown away by so many wonderful nominations. This isn’t about ranking them above each other we just hope that by highlighting a few deserving individuals we’ll be giving recognition to the remarkable work happening right across the NHS.”

Among the many nominations: the life changing paediatric consultant nominated by his patient of 17 years who’s since chosen a career in medicine, the small town GP who uses his own money to run a surgery and take terminally ill patients to football matches, the receptionist who goes above and beyond fundraising in her spare time so patients can enjoy day trips and the super-nurse whose still working at the age of 81.

At the special live event from BBC Broadcasting House will be legendary broadcaster and Vice President of the Patients Association, Angela Rippon who says: “the huge response the awards have received clearly shows the gratitude we all hold for those who work tirelessly to look after us in the NHS. This special night will be a fantastic opportunity for us to say thank you.”

The winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of judges and revealed live on the night. The judges include former mental health nurse Aneira Thomas, who also celebrates turning 70 this year as she was the first baby to be born on the NHS: “I am proud and privileged to be part of the judging panel for The One Show NHS Patients Awards. Aneurin Bevan left us a legacy and he would be proud of the heroes and their dedication to the service.”

Viewers will also be given the chance to vote for the winner of The Unsung Hero Award which focuses on the army of support staff who keep the NHS running but don’t always get the recognition they deserve.

Alex Jones says: “We’ve all been touched by the NHS in some way so I’m really excited, yes there’ll be the usual One Show dusting of celebrity sparkle but it will be the NHS staff that’ll be the real stars of the show, hopefully with a few surprises along the way. I’ll have my tissues at the ready!”

The One Show NHS Patients Awards will be broadcast live in an hour long special on BBC One 7pm-8pm on Friday 11 May 2018.

Watch Kylie Minogue on The One Show below: