Nominations are starting to flood in for this year's Hospital Hero awards.

Once again the Kent Messenger has teamed up with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to find the member of hospital staff who went above and beyond to provide high quality treatment and care.

Many of you have already got in touch to highlight individuals who deserve extra recognition for their efforts this year, and expect many more votes to come over the next few weeks.

Nominations apply to staff, volunteers or entire wards at either of the two hospitals in Barming and Pembury, or those working in the community, on behalf of the trust.

Last year, the award was won by Maidstone's intensive care department, after being nominated by a woman struggling with a serious illness, who praised workers who tried to make her life more bearable by washing her hair and even delivering a spa day.

After being presented with the gong by former Loose Women panellist Carol McGiffin, matron Angali Clifton-Fearnside said: "It means so much to know that we made a positive difference to someone’s experience of a very long and difficult time in hospital.”

Make sure you have your say by completing the online form here by 1pm on Wednesday, October 17.

The award will then be presented to the winner, along with a series of other gongs for hospital staff, at a glitzy ceremony on Friday, November 9.