From a nurse spearheading a nationwide clinical trial to an electrician supporting the vaccination rollout, more than 50 extraordinary frontline workers, technicians and volunteers have been nominated for the Oxfordshire Health & Social Care Awards so far.

The deadline for nominations is fast approaching but there is still time to put outstanding medical teams, GP practices and community stalwarts forward and show them that their unstinting efforts in the fight against Covid-19 have not gone unnoticed.

Among the latest batch of nominees is Heather Rutter, who is up for the Good Nurse Award.

The senior clinical research nurse at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Science was instrumental in setting up the PRINCIPLE, a nationwide study led by the University of Oxford. Unlike many other coronavirus clinical trials, which focus mainly on those already experiencing serious symptoms in hospital, the PRINCIPLE looks to identify treatments for over-50s that can be prescribed by community-based GPs to slow or halt the progression of the disease and prevent hospitalisation.

Heather was nominated for the accolade by her colleague and assistant trial manager, Rebecca Edeson.

“As senior research nurse, Heather has consistently motivated, supported and encouraged not only the research nursing team, but the wider Clinical Trials Unit, throughout the set up and running of the PRINCIPLE trial,” said Rebecca. “Throughout the last year, Heather has championed patients by constantly reminding the wider trial team that we would not be able to do anything without the extraordinary contribution of our participants. She has guided team members through challenging conversations and emphasised the importance of patience, empathy and understanding.”

Her unflagging positivity not only helped to boost staff morale but to keep her team motivated even at the height of the pandemic.

“Heather has brought a sense of teamwork and positivity at times where many members of staff have struggled with the difficult challenges that came along with the pandemic,” she added. “She always gives so much to others it would be lovely for her contribution - and the amazing team she leads - to be recognised.”

Not all Covid heroes wear a lab coat, or indeed provide direct patient care. Toiling away tirelessly behind the scenes, NHS electrical maintenance operative Vlad Leca has allowed GP surgeries and immunisation centres across Oxford to run without a hitch throughout the coronavirus crisis and to safely store vaccines. When crucial maintenance threatened to leave a vaccination clinic without power for three hours, he completed the work at 5am to avoid any disruption to the immunisation rollout.

Deeply moved and inspired by his dedication and humility, his line manager Zafar Iqbal jumped at the chance to enter Vlad in the Unsung Hero in the Community category.

“No one knew about the work he had done early that morning at the clinic when they arrived, as health services were unaffected thanks to Vlad going above and beyond for his community,” said Zafar. “Vlad is an unsung hero who has been working tirelessly behind the scenes throughout the pandemic to ensure that patients in Oxford can continue to access their local healthcare facility and that NHS workers can continue to provide vital health services. The work that he does is essential, and he deserves to be celebrated. Vlad doesn’t really see how he has helped with the Covid effort and he thinks keeping the NHS running and open was all down to the clinical frontline teams; but if buildings are unsafe to use, then patients can’t receive care. He has been a real unsung hero in the pandemic fight.”