AN OUTSTANDING Contribution candidate is looking for public support for this year's Our Health Heroes Awards.

Organised by Skills for Health, and headline sponsor, Health Education England, the awards have been celebrating unsung healthcare heroes from across the UK since 2016.

This year, for the first time, members of the public were able to submit nominations alongside healthcare professionals for their heroes in eight different categories including Outstanding Contribution of the Year, which received 218 nominations.

Among the candidates in the running for gold is palliative care discharge co-ordinator, Christina Ginsburg, from Mountbatten Hospice.

Christina uses her expert knowledge of services that span primary and secondary care to facilitate timely, co-ordinated and safe discharges for patients receiving end-of-life care.

Despite regularly facing complex and difficult situations, she remains dedicated to her patients and their families.

Christina recently accompanied a patient, nearing their end of life, to the mainland by ambulance to return home.

The patient was on holiday and had suddenly deteriorated and been admitted to hospital.

Christina travelled by his side, held his hand and used her mobile phone to update him on the journey time ­— the patient later passed away, but on home soil as he wished.

Her colleagues have named her an inspiration who makes the seemingly impossible, possible.

“It is a privilege to be recognised for the commitment of our team, working together to support and care for patients coming to the end of their life by providing them with the best possible care," said Christina.

For more information, and to vote in the Outstanding Contribution category, go to www.skillsforhealth.org.uk

Voting closes tomorrow, October 11.