The list of worthwhile finalists of the first ever Buckinghamshire Health and Social Care Awards have been chosen by an expert panel of judges.

The aim of the awards is to champion those teams and individuals that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for people during the Covid pandemic - and there were dozens of nominations put forward.

The awards were launched in 2021 by the Bucks Free Press after a year like no other.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made us all realise how much our incredible key-workers and those on the front line really mean to us.

It was a tough job for our judging panel to narrow it down to just a few, but the finalists in each category have finally been selected this week.

The amazing individuals and teams who were chosen will be announced in the Bucks Free Press next week.

Filming has started at the Bucks Free Press offices in Loudwater this week with our judges - ahead of the event being broadcast on Facebook in May, where the winners will be revealed.

The list of star judges include Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper David Stockdale, Kidd Rapinet managing parter Gurvinda Sehra and Buckinghamshire College Group’s assessor for health and social care work-based learning, Alex Reynolds.

They were also joined in the judges line-up by Tonia Warren, the director of EAB Homes and the partners at law firm BP Collins.

EAB Homes, Kidd Rapinet, Buckinghamshire College Group and BP Collins all sponsored and supported the inaugural awards, along with Letterbox4You, Samaritans, Dashwoods Chartered Accountants, Fields, Dreams and Colour Fence.

Andrew Colley, the editor of the Bucks Free Press, said: “The people who work in the health and social care industry have always been an inspiration, not just during the pandemic, and these awards are our way of thanking them for their incredible dedication and skill.”

Categories that featured in this year’s awards included the care hero award, to recognise the brilliant workers who make a difference to people’s lives every day, the GP practice award and the good nurse award.

Unsung heroes in the community who have gone above and beyond to help those in need throughout the pandemic will also be recognised.

Pick up next Friday’s Bucks Free Press (April 30) to find out who the amazing finalists are who have been chosen by our expert panel of judges.

The Bucks Free Press would like to thank all of the sponsors and judges who have taken part in this year’s awards to help us recognise the invaluable contribution of our health workers.