WINNER: Diana Thomson

Runners-up: Vicky Pursey, Coronary Care Unit at York Hospital

Two of our finalists this year are dedicated professionals who give their utmost to their patients – the coronary care team at York district hospital and physiotherapist Vicky Pursey were honoured as some of the very best the NHS has.

But Diana Thomson – a volunteer who shows immense patience and compassion to the dementia patients she helps - stood out for our judges.

Her nomination spoke in glowing terms of the care Diana shows as a volunteer dining companion, spending as many as four days a week on the ward and always showing "great dignity and respect" to the people she is helping.

The judges added: “It’s been a tough decision, but the fact Diana does this as a volunteer is a sign of her true devotion.”

Diana said she decided to give her time as a hospital volunteer after seeing her husband struggle to eat in hospital.

She added: "It's very humbling to be here, as there are so many people who do so much for other people that I am honoured to be here on everybody's behalf really.

"I feel very privileged to be able to help, because I have looked after someone with Alzheimers so I know what it is like."