EVERY day in Nottingham an army of more than 5,000 nurses and midwives get up and go to work, to help care for the sick, the frail and the pregnant.
Around 10,000 babies are born in the city every year, and the 1,700 beds across the QMC and City Hospital are rarely empty.
In an effort to celebrate some of our city's most worthy unsung heroes, for the first time in the paper's history the Post is launching a people's choice Nurse of the Year Award.
The award – which will have a category for nurses, children's nurses and midwives – is designed to recognise the caring and compassionate work which goes on across Nottingham's hospitals as a matter of routine.
The Nottingham Post's acting editor Charles Walker said: "When you receive good care and support from a nurse it's an experience which often stays with you.
"However sometimes there isn't always the opportunity to say thank you.
"This award was designed to do just that. We want to hear your stories of how a nurse or midwife has gone the extra mile to help you or your family, so please get in touch."
Jenny Leggott, director of nursing and midwifery, said: "Our team of nurses and midwives at Nottingham University Hospitals (which runs the QMC and City Hospital) are exceptional people who do extraordinary jobs.
"We're pleased to be working with the Nottingham Post on the People's Nurse of the Year Awards.
"This provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the dedication and commitment of the nurses and midwives working at our local hospitals.
"The people of Notts will decide the winners of these awards, which is entirely appropriate.
"They will recognise those nurses and midwives who deliver care and compassion and go above and beyond what is expected to ensure our patients feel cared for, safe and confident in their treatment."
From today and for the next two weeks people can select a potential candidate for nurse of the year using the nomination form on this page.
And during that time the Post will also be running stories showcasing some of those worthy nominations.
Voting will start on May 13 and readers will have to collect coupons to vote for their favourite nurse.
To nominate, click here.