A team of school nurses who saved the day after an outbreak of swine flu at a special school are in line for a health hero award.

Their hard work in carrying out an emergency vaccination programme has won them unstinting praise.

Now the city nurses and school nurse assistants have been nominated for a prize in the Gem award scheme being run by NHS Leicester City and the Leicester Community Health Service to recognise health workers who have been real "gems" over the past year.

The school nursing team has been nominated in the Provider Team of the Year category after carrying out an emergency vaccination programme at West Gate School, in New Parks, Leicester.

The team was called in after concerns about the number of staff and pupils with swine flu symptoms at the school, which caters for 148 children with special needs.

Chris Otway, school nursing operations manager for Leicester City community health service, nominated the team.

She said: "They had just 48 hours notice to plan and administer the swine flu jab to children at West Gate school.

"All staff remained focused and dealt with the demands remarkably. They really deserve this award."

During the emergency vaccination programme staff were also immunised and parents were offered the injection.

Public health officials said children with special needs were more at risk from developing serious, and in some cases, life-threatening complications from swine flu.

About 80 people make up five city school nursing teams, employed by the Leicester City Community Health Service.

They are based at four health centres across the city and are responsible for giving the recently introduced HPV vaccine to protect girls from cervical cancer.

Pam Rawlings, school nursing operations manager, said: "It was fantastic the way the team stepped up to carry out the swine flu vaccinations and at the same time kept the HPV programme going."

Patients are also being asked to nominate their health hero of the year.

They can nominate people in the Primary Care Award and the Health Professional of the Year Award categories. The Primary Care Award will recognise staff working in primary care – usually the first people patients see when they become ill – such as GPs, midwives, dentists and pharmacists.

Entire GP practices can also be nominated.

The Health Professional of the Year category can include any health worker or team.

Tim Rideout, chief executive of NHS Leicester City, said: "I am always delighted to hear from patients or their families who have taken the time to contact me to compliment staff.

"Our Gem awards take this a step further by formally recognising clinical and non-clinical staff."

The deadline for nominations is January 11 and the winners will be announced on March 10.

To make a nomination call 0116 295 4185 or go to:

www.leicestercity.nhs.uk/ News-Events-Thegems.cms