A holistic health program aimed at supporting mental health consumers to connect with others and engage in healthier lifestyle practices has won the Far West Local Health District’s (FWLHD) Health Innovation Award for 2024.
The RISE (Respect, Independence, Skill & Empowerment) program helps mental health consumers improve their psychological wellbeing, reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours, and improve their physical health.
FWLHD Chief Executive Brad Astill congratulated the winners and finalists of the 14th annual FWLHD Staff Recognition and Health Innovation Awards (held Wednesday, 19 June) for their commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of people in their community.
“It is a pleasure to celebrate the achievements of our health staff in Far West whose innovative projects are helping the local community lead healthier lifestyles,” Mr Astill said.
“Our staff go above and beyond to provide the best possible care to patients every day. I’m very proud of the incredible work they do and the positive impact they have on the lives of their patients and their families.”
Innovation Award finalists acknowledged at the ceremony included: Educators and Management Residential Programs, Development of the Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) in Adult Clinical Care Pathway, Far West Menopause Service - Women’s Health Matters, Far West of Centre – Rural Health for Rural People Podcast, Intranet Redesign Project, Staff Accommodation Portal, Implementing Patient Reported Measures in the Broken Hill Health Service Dialysis Ward and the School Based OT Program in Kindergarten.
The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) presented the ACI Rural Innovation Award, which was won by the School Based OT Program for Kindergarten.
Far West LHD staff and volunteers who have excelled in customer service and made significant contributions to the care and wellbeing of patients were also acknowledged with awards at the ceremony. Award winners were chosen from peer nominations, including consumer nominations for staff and teams for excellence in service.
The FWLHD 2024 Staff Recognition Excellence Individual and Team Award winners are:
Aboriginal Staff Excellence - Aileen Clark
Brilliance – Individual - Grace Matthews
Brilliance – Team - ICU Team
Consumer Nominated - Staff Member - Leighton King
Consumer Nominated – Team - Menindee Health Service
Extraordinary Staff Member - Allied Health and Integrated Community Services - Tracy Herlihy
Extraordinary Staff Member – Broken Hill Health Service (BHHS) Nursing and Midwifery - Glenys Dayman
Extraordinary Staff Member - Cancer and Palliative Care Services - Shelley Hollingworth and Reanne Greenaway (joint winners)
Extraordinary Staff Member - Chief Executive Unit - Wendy Gleeson
Extraordinary Staff Member - Executive Nursing and Midwifery/Clinical Governance - Alexis Lenton
Extraordinary Staff Member - Finance and Corporate Services - Carolyn Williams
Extraordinary Staff Member - Mental Health Drug and Alcohol - Kendi Reardon
Extraordinary Staff Member - People and Culture - Karen Winter
Extraordinary Staff Member - Remote Health Services - Theresa Pippin
Extraordinary Staff Member - Support Services BHHS/CHC - Jamie Thomas
Inspiring Team - Maternity Unit BHHS
Volunteer Superstar – Individual - Lynn Pritchard
Volunteer Superstar – Team - Broken Hill Kiosk
The Awards concluded with a presentation ceremony of Employee Recognition Awards for years of dedicated service, including staff who have served from 10 to 40 years.
Far West Local Health District (FWLHD) is urging residents to protect themselves against Q fever this summer, as warmer weather and high winds may increase the chance of the disease spreading.
Communities in Far West NSW will benefit from a $1.9 million funding boost from the NSW Government to upgrade hospitals and health facilities in the region.
