Has a nurse, midwife, health visitor or healthcare assistant made a real difference to you or a loved one? Now you can say a big 'thank you' by nominating them for a unique Nursing Standard award. 

Launched today by the UK's best-selling nursing journal, Nursing Standard, the Patient's Choice Award 2011 provides the public with a very special opportunity to highlight and reward outstanding practice within the nursing profession. 

"Nurses strive to give the best possible care to their patients. Now patients and their loved ones have the chance to say thank you," says Nursing Standard editorial director, Jean Gray. "Nursing Standard is delighted to offer this golden opportunity to recognise and celebrate those nurses who have performed beyond the call of duty."

Alongside appealing directly to the public, Nursing Standard is urging every organisation - whether in the NHS, the community or the independent sector - to tell their patients about this award, encouraging them to nominate those nurses who have gone the extra mile. 

Last year, Nursing Standard received more than 250 nominations, featuring nurses, patients and families from villages, towns and cities throughout the UK. "Let's make a new record, with as many nurses put forward for this award as possible," says Nursing Standard's editorial director..

To nominate a nurse, midwife, health visitor or healthcare assistant, members of the public can visit www.patients-choice.co.uk or call 020 8423 1066 to request an entry form. The closing date for nominations is 21 January 2011. 

After voting closes, an expert panel of judges will select three finalists. Members of the public will then be invited to vote for the nurse who they believe most deserves the accolade. The winner will receive their award - including a prize of £1,000 - at a prestigious ceremony, held in London on 28 April 2011.