A health program empowering people with the knowledge and skills to engage in regular physical activity, reduce overall body weight and improve diet quality has won the Far West Local Health District’s Health Innovation Award for 2023.
The ‘Healthy Steps Program’ has been named the winning project at the 13th annual Far West LHD Staff Recognition and Health Innovation Awards held this week.
The integrative project between theOsteoarthritis Chronic Care Program (OACCP) Team and Dietetics Department was led by Stephanie Wylie, James Wells, Megan Johnstone, and Kara Leonard. The eight-week program enrolled a number of participants in Broken Hill, who all reported positive outcomes and improvements - for both weight loss and existing osteoarthritis conditions.
Far West LHD Chief Executive, Mr Brad Astill, congratulated the Innovation Award project winners and finalists, as well as all the Staff Recognition Award winners and nominees.
“It’s always a pleasure to see our staff recognised for developing and delivering innovative projects that help improve health outcomes across the District,” Mr Astill said.
“Our staff provide excellent care to our patients and clients, and all of them strive to do the best they can because they know how important the job they have is. Their contribution to providing ongoing high-quality healthcare is a credit to them all.
“I extend my congratulations to all of the Award recipients,” said Mr Astill.
The ceremony also included a pre-recorded video address by the Hon. Ryan Park, Minister for Health and Regional Health and NSW Health Secretary, Ms Susan Pearce.
Mr Astill said it was equally important the District acknowledge staff for the excellent service they provide to patients and clients and their long time service to the organisation.
Other Innovation Award finalists acknowledged at the Awards ceremony included: AMBER Care Bundle, NSW Telestroke Service, Broken Hill Adult Oral Health Patient Waitlist Project, Rapid Response Dashboard, Educators Residential School and Planned Care for Better Health – Animation Short Film.
The Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI) also presented an ACI Rural Innovations Project Award, which was won by the Rapid Response Dashboard project.
The FWLHD Staff Recognition and Health Innovation Awards also recognise staff members who excel in customer service and made significant contributions to the care and wellbeing of patients and clients. Award winners were chosen from peer nominations, including consumer nominations for staff and teams for excellence in service.
Staff Recognition Award 2023 recipients in each category were:
Aboriginal Staff Excellence: Craig Colling (Aboriginal Health Practitioner at Buronga HealthOne).
Consumer Nominated – Staff Member: Leighton King (Sonographer in Radiology Unit, BHHS).
Consumer Nominated – Team: Paediatrics Ward
Extraordinary Staff Member – Allied Health & Integrated Community Services: Elise Callaghan (Paediatric Community Dietitian at BHHS).
Extraordinary Staff Member – Medical: Dr Cameron Spenceley (Clinical Director for BHHS Emergency Department).
Extraordinary Staff Member – Mental Health Drug and Alcohol, Violence, Abuse and Neglect: Sherree Ferrall (Manager Violence Abuse & Neglect Services).
Extraordinary Staff Member – Nursing and Midwifery: Corey Sclater (Nurse Manager Nursing & Midwifery Leadership and Workforce Development).
Extraordinary Staff Member – People & Culture: Jacinta Barraclough (Learning and Development Lead).
Extraordinary Staff Member – Finance and Corporate Services: Eureka Van Der Merwe (Clinical Document Specialist).
Extraordinary Staff Member – District Remote Health Services: Merrawyn Townsend (Health Assistant, Tibooburra Health Service).
Extraordinary Staff Member – Clinical Governance Unit: Grace Matthews (Clinical Quality Systems Manager).
Extraordinary Staff Member – Cancer and Palliative Care Services: Hayley Mayne (Executive Assistant).
Inspiring Team: Clinical Governance Unit
Volunteer Superstar: Hospital and Day Centre volunteers at Balranald MPS
Brilliance Staff Member: Brooke Napier (Clinical Support Officer).
Brilliance Team: Intensive Care Unit
The Awards concluded with a presentation ceremony of Employee Recognition Awards for years of dedicated service, including two staff who have served 40 and 50 years respectively. Long Service awards were presented in the following groups:
Long Service Awards for 10 years of service: Ellen Elstone, Eureka Van Der Merwe, Jessica Collins, Karlie Jeffery, Kirby Purcell, Kylie Jolliffe, Leonie Kennedy, Lyn-Maree Walker, Peter Duthy, Rachel Barbetta, Rebecca Howse, Romualdo De Guzman, Sandra Ferry, Sarah Wenham, Sherrylee Davis and Sue Betcke.
Long Service Awards for 20 years of service: Carolyn Foulis, Carolyn Williams, Christy McManus, Danika Bartley, Fiona Weir, Jeffrey King, Joyce Casson, Kate Manning, Merrawyn Townsend, Olumuyiwa Komolafe, Peter McDonald, Rodney Honson, Timothy O'Neill and Trudy Rennie.
Long Service Awards for 30 years of service: Karen Chrisakis, Kerrianne Pearson, Liam Warhurst, Theresa Pippin and Tracy Herlihy.
Long Service Award for 40 years of service: Peter Ball.
Long Service Award for 50 years of service: Angelika Wyness.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women aged 50-74 from Far West Local Health District are being urged to book in a free mammogram, with more than 50 (52.9) per cent of women in the region overdue for their two-yearly breast cancer screening.
Applications are now open for Far West Local Health District’s (FWLHD) School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships program for students starting Year 11 in 2025.
