A record number of nominations is expected for the 2012 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards, reflecting the record number of nurses and midwives now working in the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Health Minister Kon Vatskalis said the NT Government had boosted nursing numbers by over 677 since 2002 to a record 2330 nurses and midwives.

He said now is the time for people to enter the names of those nurses and midwives who have impressed them with their work, commitment and manner, with nominations for awards open until 16 April.

"For nearly a decade the Territory has been recognising the passion and skills of nurses and midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards," he said.

"With around 2330 nurses and midwives now working for the Department of Health, as well as those working in community controlled health services, we expect the ninth annual Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards to bring a swag of nominations for deserving nurses and midwives.

"It goes without saying that nurses and midwives are fundamental to the delivery of health services across the NT – from the Tiwi Islands to Santa Teresa."

Mr Vatskalis reinforced the NT Government's commitment to affordable, quality and accessible health care for all Territorians, with a record $1.2 billion invested in improving hospitals and primary health care services in 2011.

He added that a new competition is running alongside the awards this year, giving nurses and midwives a chance to express what it means to be a Territory nurse or midwife through photography.