Innovation and staff excellence recognised at Hunter New England Health’s Awards

More than 140 staff and guests attended the ceremony at Goonoo Goonoo Station, Tamworth, to honour the achievements and dedication of individuals and teams.

Hunter New England Health’s Chief Executive Tracey McCosker PSM, congratulated the award winners and nominees, and said the ceremony was an opportunity to highlight some of the innovative and sustainable health projects being led by District’s staff.

“It’s an honour to be able to pay tribute to our award winners, who strive to make a difference in the lives of patients and communities,” Ms McCosker said.

“Our rural and regional workforce has demonstrated unwavering commitment toward implementing brilliant, community-centred models of care, leading the way in health innovation.

“These teams really embody our values through the support they give each other and their continued commitment to deliver excellent patient outcomes.”

Winners were announced across 12 award categories, with the evening culminating in the presentation of the Collaborative Staff Member of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Chief Executive award.

Several recipients from the District will now be nominated for the NSW Health Awards to be held later in the year.

Award recipients in each category were:

• Category: Transforming Patient Experience
  Award recipient: Curing homesickness for chronic respiratory kids – Physiotherapy, John Hunter Children’s Hospital
   
• Category: Integrated Value-Based Care
  Award Recipient: A national first cardio-oncology service – John Hunter Hospital
   
• Category: Patient Safety First 
  Award recipient: DETECT neonate: embedding into NICU culture – John Hunter Children’s Hospital
   
• Category: Keeping People Healthy
  Award recipient: National safety surveillance of novel vaccines – Population Health
   
• Category: People and Culture
  Award recipient: Learn as you earn – Nursing and Midwifery Services
   
• Category: Excellence in Aboriginal Health Care
  Award recipient: Usual care – does one size fit anybody? – Chronic and Complex Care, Tamworth Hospital
   
• Category: Health Research and Innovation
  Award recipient: Antenatal care supporting alcohol-free pregnancies – Population Health
   
• Category: Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services
  Award recipient: Got It! – early intervention for children – Mental Health Services
   
• Category: Sustainability and Environmental Health
  Award recipient: Greening the NICU with disposable nappies! – John Hunter Children’s Hospital
   
• Category: Collaborative Staff Member of the Year
  Joint Award recipients: Dr David Durrheim (Services Director, Population Health) and Professor Adrian Dunlop (Director and Staff Specialist, Drug and Alcohol Services)
   
• Category: Volunteer of the Year
  Award recipient: Bill Cottrell
   
• Category: Chief Executive Award
  Award recipient: Crossing the border and collaborating to close the gap – Boggabilla Community Health Clinic

The Excellence Awards were proudly supported by the University of Newcastle, Multiplex, LeasePlus, HESTA, Telstra, Rural Health Pro – powered by the Rural Doctors Network, Eagers Automotive, Aware, Super and QBE.