Have you experienced treatment from a hospital worker or team that went beyond the call of duty to deliver excellent care?

Nominations have opened for an NHS trust's annual staff awards where patients have the chance of praising their hospital heroes from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Cromer Hospital.

The annual patient choice awards, which are media sponsored by the Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News, enables the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to recognise those staff who provide exceptional patient care, kindness or outstanding professional expertise.

Patients can nominate any nurse, doctor, midwife, therapist, receptionist or other member of staff who looked after them during an outpatient visit, day treatment or longer hospital stay.

A record 686 nominations were received for the individual and team awards last year, which were presented at a ceremony in the Forum, Norwich, in October.

Closing date for nominations for this year's awards is May 31.

John Fry, N&N chairman, said: 'It is great a pleasure to be able to recognise some of our special employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to support and care for our patients and their families.'

Orthopaedic surgeon Ben Davis was crowned winner of the 2013 Patient Choice Most Outstanding Individual award after being described as a 'remarkable young man' by one of the patients who nominated him.

The Mohs team, which carries out advanced treatment for skin cancer, was crowned as team of the year.

The 2013 staff awards ceremony, presented by BBC Look East's Carol Bundock, also recognised 76 employees who had achieved long service of 25 or 40 years.

Pam Ford, N&N public governor and judge for the patient choice award, said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for patients to nominate those truly exceptional individuals or teams who have made a difference to their lives.'

The awards are sponsored by Serco, which provides a range of services at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

To make a nomination, visit http://staff.nnuh.nhs.uk/awards/patientchoice/

Have you got a health story? Email adam.gretton@archant.co.uk