THE unsung heroes of health in the Bradford district have been honoured at an awards ceremony.

Last night's You're a Star Awards showcased the work of dedicated Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust workers across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven.

The Trust received 66 nominations across five categories.

Maureen Myers, a volunteer community health champion, won the You and Your Care Award.

Community health champions work as part of the Trust's Champions Show The Way programme which offers free or low cost cost activities across the district for adults with long-term health conditions, or who have been recently discharged from hospital.

Ms Myers leads weekly therapeutic activity sessions in Shipley, including walking and a group called the Sing for Joy choir.

She said: "I tell people, we are each other’s responsibility, we're not just here for ourselves.

"I don’t see it as volunteering, just a big family. It didn't enter my head that I would be nominated, so to win is absolutely amazing."

Ward 24, the specialist dementia assessment unit based at Airedale General Hospital, won the Working Together prize.

The ward is a specialist unit for acutely unwell dementia patients, who are often anxious, agitated or unable to eat, sleep or drink.

The ward's work will move to a purpose-built facility at Lynfield Mount Hospital next month.

Ward Manager Jacquie Edwards said: "The team work together really well and are interested in ensuring patient care is of the highest standard.

"They do this by communicating with and caring for the relatives of our patients as well. They ensure everybody is included in that person’s care."

The Trust's physical health and wellbeing clinics, community team won the Quality Award.

The team has opened clinics in the community for people with serious mental illness (SMI). It has introduced an online tool, the physical health check, to ensure blood pressure, temperature and heart trace tests are completed alongside checks related to emotional wellbeing. More than 1,000 health checks have been delivered.

The Dental Anxiety and Management Service secured the Value for Money award at the ceremony, which was held at the Bradford Hotel on Hall Ings last night.

Members of the Dental Anxiety Service deal with patients referred to them by their regular dentist because of their severe anxiety or phobia.

It works with patients to teach coping strategies so dental work can take place with minimum intervention.

And finally, specialist clinic nurse Dawn Langwade won the Patient Experience Award.

The care co-ordinator ensures the health care needs of people with a learning disability are managed sensitively and co-ordinates a team of 17 health and social care practitioners.

She said: "I am very grateful for this award but, I am not accepting it for myself alone, it is for everyone in the team.

"We all work towards one goal – people receiving the treatment they need."

Each category winner received £1,000 from the Sovereign Healthcare Charitable Trust, to support their ongoing work.