Rehabilitation First Awards 2012: Countdown has begun

Everyone involved in the UK rehabilitation market still has much to learn from each other, and a deeper sense of trust must be fostered, but it is vital to identify and acknowledge excellence in initiatives and innovation where it exists to further energise those efforts.

Why? Because the individuals who ultimately benefit are those who find themselves injured or unwell through no fault of their own; individuals who deserve the best shot at regaining what they have lost.

So we want to hear about the great results generated - whether by employer schemes, through collaboration between insurers and claimant solicitors or by individual inspirational case managers - there are categories suited to all.

Yes, time is a commodity we all wish we had much more of these days - but if you can tease out a little extra today, use it to ensure that excellence in the UK rehabilitation industry does not go unrecognised or unrewarded.

Now in their eighth year, the Rehabilitation First Awards want to hear about individuals and initiatives that are second to none when it comes to helping injured and unwell people back to work and health.

We're conscious of the fact that award submissions take time to put together but, if you don't take a little time to highlight the fantastic work you, your colleagues and your organisation do to maximise the ability of individuals to return to work and achieve levels of recovery that may have seemed impossible at the start of their journey, who will?

The categories are designed to make sure that all those in the provision of rehabilitation can be acknowledged - from case managers to claimant solicitors, employers to insurers, long-committed outstanding industry achievers to the next up-and-coming generation of inspiring professionals.

We also have a new award for 2012, designed to recognise the work of the 'Unsung Rehabilitation Champion'. As the UK rehabilitation industry matures and grows more complex, we felt it was important that those individuals who make a crucial difference to delivering effective care and recovery are celebrated too - even if they don't work in the traditional roles.

Entries close in a couple of weeks - on Friday 29 June - so please take time today to have a look at www.rehabilitationfirstawards.co.uk and consider the categories best suited to you.

Just as important is to put Friday 14 September in your diary now to ensure that you don't miss the opportunity to come together with your rehabilitation friends and colleagues to applaud the first class efforts, achievements and developments taking place across the UK.