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There are almost 100 entries for this year’s Kate Granger Compassionate Care Awards.

The awards, to be staged for the second successive year at the Health and Innovation Expo 2015, will see 98 nominees fighting it out for the prizes – up from 80 entries last year.

Judges are already saying the leap in the number of entries, and the quality of the work nominated, guarantees some inspirational stories will be revealed.

Named after Kate Granger, the terminally ill doctor who has worked tirelessly to raise awareness around compassion in the NHS through her #hellomynameis social media campaign, the awards will be made at Expo 2015 in Manchester on 2 and 3 September 2015.

Dr Granger was thrilled by the number of entries to this year’s awards saying: “I am delighted to see the number of entries this year has increased considerably. Although it is going to make the job of judging them even more difficult than last year, I look forward to learning about all the outstanding work that has been going on and making compassionate care for patients part of everyday life in the NHS.”

“September is a long way off in my world right now…but it is on my Bucket List to present the 2015 awards and I am a determined girl when I put my mind to things!”

She said she is delighted the awards are being run for the second successive year byNHS Employers, adding: “These awards are part of my legacy and I am so very proud of them.

“It was incredibly humbling last year reading the amazing entries from all corners of the NHS. I had the unenviable task of choosing winners from the outstanding shortlisted candidates, while I had been in hospital a few weeks beforehand.

“Being a patient has taught me a huge amount about being a doctor. Prioritising compassionate care in its rightful place alongside patient safety, under the umbrella of quality is perhaps one of the most important things I have learned.”

The annual awards highlight how innovation, practicality and especially compassion are essential in everyday NHS care.

Paul Wallace, one of the judges and Director of Employment Relations and Reward at NHS Employers, said: “Time and again patients tell us that the values and personal approach taken by NHS staff has a huge impact on their care. The Kate Granger Awards for Compassionate Care inspire us with examples of how this can be done well and I’m excited we can highlight the achievements of such fantastic staff.”

The judging panel also includes Gail Adams, Head of Nursing, Unison; Hilary Garratt, Director of Nursing – Commissioning & Health Improvement, NHS England, and Rob Wilson, Professor of Surgical Science, University of Durham.

The first award is for an individual working in the NHS or delivering NHS funded services. The second is for teams or organisations who are part of the NHS, or who deliver NHS funded services. These services can be delivered in hospitals, or in a primary care, community or residential setting.

It was while undergoing treatment for cancer that Dr Granger started writing about seeing the NHS “through the eyes of a patient”. She launched the #hellomynameis campaign to talk about some of her intensely moving experiences.

The campaign reminds health care professionals of the importance of introducing themselves to patients and how a relatively ‘little thing’ can positively affect a patient’s experience of the treatment and care they receive. It is now backed by more than 100 health trusts.

• Read Kate’s blog about the awards.
• You can get updates at @NHSExpo and #Expo15NHS
• For more information about the Kate Granger Compassionate Care Awards, see the NHS Employers website.