Dedication's what our heroes need!
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THEY are the people who look after us in our time of need – whether that be a life-changing event like the birth of a new child, a medical emergency or caring for a family member through illness.
Healthcare professionals are on the frontline each and every day, dealing with whatever and whoever comes their way.
We rely on the NHS day in, day out but how often do we stop and say a big "thank you" to those who really do care?
The Highland Heroes healthcare professional of the year category is a chance to recognise the wonderful work that takes place in our hospitals and medical practices – and it's not just for doctors and nurses.
Janette McQuiston, branch secretary of Unison Highland Healthcare which is sponsoring the category, said: "We want to highlight the hard work that healthcare professionals put in and the compassion they show.
"Each and every one of us at some point in our lives is going to need the care of a healthcare professional – and it's not just the staff you see on the wards, it's all the staff who do a fantastic job behind the scenes as well."
The branch covers a huge geographical area from Caithness and Sutherland in the north to Argyll and Bute in the south and represents social care workers, care at home workers, domestics, porters, cooks, admin, estates – "you think of a job in the NHS, we cover it, right across the board," adds Janette.
Readers of five Scottish Provincial Press newspapers across the region are being encouraged to nominate their local heroes across 12 categories in this year's Highland Heroes awards, which are now in their second year.
So if you know somebody who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in their role as a healthcare professional, let us know by nominating them today. You could be a patient, a family member or even a colleague.
Janette said: "With all the financial constraints on the NHS – which are not of NHS Highland's making – I just think we've got to reflect the hard work and dedication of our healthcare professionals.
"They are covering gaps in service, going above and beyond and I think we need to reflect that.
"NHS staff do a fantastic job and, as a branch, we need to highlight that we value all our members. We just want to show that we are here, we're supporting them and we're recognising them."
To nominate somebody you feel deserves recognition in this or any other category, fill in this form and post it to Highland Heroes, Scottish Provincial Press, New Century House, Stadium Road, Inverness, IV1 1FG or email it to heroes@spp-group.com. You can also nominate your Highland Heroes online at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HighlandHeroes2018
The deadline for nominations is midnight on Saturday, September 1.
A judging panel will draw up a shortlist in each category before readers are given the opportunity to vote for their favourites.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on Thursday, November 8.
