The winners of the 2024 Northern NSW Local Health District Quality Awards have been announced at a ceremony held last week.

The annual awards showcase innovative solutions, projects and programs initiated by health staff to improve the quality of care and the experience provided to patients, the sustainability and capacity of the local health system and health outcomes for communities.

NNSWLHD Chief Executive, Tracey Maisey, praised the dedication of staff to finding ways to continually improve the healthcare they deliver, and tailor services to meet the needs of patients.

“This year we saw a wide field of 39 nominations, and awarded teams and individual awards across ten (10) categories, a testament to the incredible work being done by staff right across our health district,” Ms Maisey said.

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

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

Alongside the team categories presented on the night, were Volunteer of the Year and Staff Member of the Year.

Volunteer of the Year winner, Ros Fleetwood, is a longstanding member of the NNSWLHD Maternity and Neonatal Services Committee and the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA). Ros provides invaluable support to patients, carers, and families, and is committed to promoting breastfeeding and supporting new parents in Northern NSW, as well as influencing health system change, through her evidence-based insights into policies and procedures.

Staff Member of the Year, Kate Willock, leads the Perinatal Substance Use Service as part of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Service. Kate is innovative and person-focussed, and has been instrumental in significantly improving patient care and treatment outcomes throughout her lengthy career, thanks to her teamwork and insights. Her leadership extends to strategic direction and partnerships in AOD Services, achieving positive outcomes amidst complex challenges.

2024 Quality Awards Winners:

Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award

Winner: Rheumatic Heart Disease Project - Closing the Gap Highly Commended: Little Jarjums Swim Safe Program

Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health or Alcohol and Other Drugs Services

Winner: Richmond Clarence Mental Health Discharge Clinic

Highly Commended: Tweed Safe Haven: Towards Zero Suicide Initiative – Community Mental Health

Health Innovation

Winner: Sustainable Imaging for our Community

Highly Commended: Improving Domestic and Family Violence identification workflows in Child and Family Health

Agency for Clinical Innovation Rural Innovation Award

Winner: Connecting Critical Care – expertise at the bedside

Health Research

Winner: It All Started with a Question – North Coast Cancer Institute, Lismore

Keeping People Healthy

Winner: A Sweet Partnership. Paediatric Diabetes Outreach in an Aboriginal Medical Service

Patient Safety First

Winner: Redefining Paediatric Burns Management - The Local Approach Highly Commended: Northern NSW Health Literacy Project

People and Culture

Winner: Class of 2023 – Grow Our Own Health and Security Assistants Highly Commended: Rural Research Collaborative Learning Network

Transforming Patient Experience

Winner: Are you pregnant and feel too sick to eat and drink? Hyperemesis Gravidarum Project

Highly Commended: Creating a safe and respectful space for children and adolescents seeking mental health care in the Richmond Community

Highly Commended: Model of Care Re-design: Improving patient outcomes in Knee Reconstruction Surgery

Volunteer of the Year

Winner: Ros Fleetwood, NNSWLHD Maternity Services

Highly Commended: Margaret McQuilty, Hospital Auxiliary, Nimbin MPS

Staff Member of the Year

Winner: Kate Willock, NNSWLHD Alcohol and Other Drugs Services Highly Commended: Lauren Proudfoot, Health Promotion.