Local health care shines at Quality Awards

Quality and excellence were on display at the recent 2024 Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) Quality Awards. The awards highlighted innovative solutions, projects and programs that improve the quality of care, sustainability, capacity, and outcomes of the local health system.

NNSWLHD Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said the dedicated staff continually found ways to improve patient healthcare and services.

“We saw a wide field of 39 nominations and awarded teams and individual awards across ten categories,” Ms Maisey said.

“It is a testament to the incredible work being done by staff right across our health district.”

The night’s winners included the Rheumatic Heart Disease Project—Closing the Gap, the Richmond Clarence Mental Health Discharge Clinic, and Sustainable Imaging for our Community.

Connecting Critical Care – expertise at the bedside, It All Started with a Question – North Coast Cancer Institute, Lismore, A Sweet Partnership. Paediatric Diabetes Outreach in an Aboriginal Medical Service and Redefining Paediatric Burns Management – The Local Approach were also winners.

Class of 2023: Grow Our Own Health and Security Assistants, and Are you pregnant and feel too sick to eat and drink? – The Hyperemesis Gravidarum Project also won awards.

The Volunteer of the Year award went to Ros Fleetwood, a longstanding member of the NNSWLHD Maternity and Neonatal Services Committee and the Australian Breastfeeding Association. Ms Fleetwood supports patients, carers, and families and is committed to promoting breastfeeding, supporting new parents in Northern NSW, and influencing health system change.

Staff Member of the Year Kate Willock leads the Perinatal Substance Use Service as part of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service. The innovative healthcare worker has been instrumental in significantly improving patient care and treatment outcomes throughout her lengthy career.

“Staff know their patients best, and when empowered to develop local solutions, it can lead to significant benefits not only for our patients but also for our staff,” Ms Maisey said.

“Congratulations to all our staff who submitted entries into this year’s awards, and well done to our winning teams and individuals.”