WELCOME the launch supplement of Hereford Tinmes Health and Social Care Awards.

This is the third year we have run the awards, and the coronavirus outbreak has certainly out in sharp focus the reliance that our society has on the dedicated people who help look after our most vulnerable.

On these pages you will find details of the award categories (below) and guidance on how to make a nomination (page 10).

On page 11 there is report on the exciting new award we are launching this year, to recognise the work of people working in child care.

And in the centre pages is a picture special celebrating the success of the awards over the last two years and reflecting on the fantastic winners so far.

The supplement also highlights the work of the people who make these awards possible, the sponsors, all of whom themselves play a key part in helping to care for people in our community.

The Covid-19 crisis will put all these people, carers and care organisations, health services and businesses, under enormous pressure.

More emphasis, then perhaps, on members of the public and those being cared for and their families, to put their names forward.

The nomination process is simply - just visit our website: www.herefordtimes.com/healthandsocialcareawards.

There is a simple online form to fill in.

In coming weeks, along with our reporting of the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on our communities, we will also be running articles in the paper providing the latest details on how the awards are progressing.

There will also be interviews with past winners and care providers explaining why these awards are so important, particularly to staff who in the past have failed to get the recognition they so richly deserve.

Good luck to all the entrants, good luck to all our dedicated health workers and carers and care organisations during this very challenging period.

And just a reminder, this is last year’s roll of honour: Care Team: Altogether Care; Care Hero: Gary Meddings, Services for Independent Living; Care Home Worker: Sadie Harris, Coldwells House Care Home; Domicilary care worker: Vicky Davies, Bluebird Care; Good Nurse: Cheryl Poole, Community Dementia Nurse, Wye Valley NHS Trust; GP Practice of the Year: Fownhope Medical Centre; Care Trainer: Jessica Dunn, Katherine Harriett Bespoke Home Care; Dignity in Care: Lorraine Quinn, Kemble At Home; Dementia Carer: Anne Parsons, Ross-on-Wye Meeting Centre; Palliative/end of life Award: Tony Blower, St Michael's Hospice; Mental Health Award: Becky Cook, The Courtyard Centre for the Arts; Care Employer: Kemble At Home.