District celebrates award nominations

October 2020

Staff recognised in an extraordinary year for health care

The passion, dedication and professionalism of Sydney Local Health District staff has been recognised, with the naming of the finalists in the NSW Premier’s Awards, The NSW Health Awards and The Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

“It is a reflection of the work all our staff do each day, and during this extraordinary time, how they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with new ideas to support and care for our patients and the community,” Dr Teresa Anderson AM, the District’s chief executive said.

The District has three finalists in The NSW Health Awards:

• Keeping People Healthy Award: Keeping them safe: a rapid response for vulnerable people during COVID-19

The District, in partnership with community organisations, set-up 11 Community Wellbeing Clinics across Sydney and screened 1200 vulnerable people for COVID-19, and provided influenza vaccinations, health and hygiene packs and free emergency meals.

• People and Culture Award: We need a Tiger Team: A pandemic innovation to care for our staff

Tiger Teams were established to support and educate staff in the District’s hospitals, Community Health Centres, COVID-19 Testing Clinics, Special Health Accommodation and residential aged care facilities to ensure they had the skills, knowledge and information to undertake their enhanced roles during the pandemic.

• Transforming Patient Experience Award: rpavirtual – a new way of caring

The District launched the first virtual hospital in NSW, known as rpavirtual, in early 2020. It is a new model of care that combines integrated hospital and community care with the latest digital solutions – and so far has delivered virtual care to almost 4000 patients.

There are 19 finalists from across the state’s LHDs, Ministry of Health, NSW Health Pathology and hospital networks, competing in 10 award categories.

The awards recognise innovative and sustainable health programs that deliver outcomes that matter to patients and invest in the wellness of the NSW community.

This year’s finalists and winners are being celebrated on digital and social channels, in recognition of the extraordinary nature of 2020.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 29 October 2020.

The District also has two finalists in the NSW Premier’s Awards which celebrate excellence in the delivery of public services to the NSW community by the public sector, not-for-profit organisations and private businesses.

• Tackling Longstanding Social Challenges Award: Healthy Homes and Neighbourhoods

The initiative was designed as a population-based, family-centred, multi-agency care-coordination network to assist vulnerable families to navigate the health and social care system, to keep themselves and their children safe, and promote social cohesiveness.

• Excellence in Digital Innovation Award: rpavirtual – a new way of caring

The winners of the NSW Premier's Awards will be announced during an online ceremony on Wednesday 4 November 2020.

The following day, the winners of the District’s Quality Awards will be announced at the District’s virtual Annual General Meeting.

The Quality Awards recognise, celebrate and encourage healthcare innovation and excellence in line with the District's values, strategic focus and vision to achieve 'Excellence in health and healthcare for all'.

This year, an additional award category, COVID-19 Response – Recognition of Excellence, has been included to acknowledge staff who have made a significant contribution during the pandemic.

And, the NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards, are set to be held in later in November, with Andrew Ingleton, from the District’s Public Health Unit, nominated for the Judith Meppem Leadership Award.

The award highlights outstanding nursing and midwifery leaders who have a focus on the values of teamwork, innovation, service, quality, compassion and integrity. They winners will be announced in an online ceremony on Thursday 26 November 2020.

“Congratulations everyone. These nominations highlight our staff and their dedication to go that little bit further to care for our patients, our community and one another during an extremely challenging year,” Dr Anderson said.