The contributions of health professionals and volunteers from across the region were recognised at Hunter New England Local Health District’s annual Excellence Awards, held on Tuesday night.
More than 120 staff and guests came together at Ravella, Newcastle, to celebrate the dedication and achievements of both individuals and teams.
Hunter New England Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey McCosker PSM, congratulated the finalists and winners across 13 categories, and thanked staff for their contributions during a demanding year.
“It’s been a big year for our District, but our people keep stepping up, supporting each other and finding practical ways to make patient care better,” Ms McCosker said.
“We’ve introduced the Single Digital Patient Record, opened new health facilities and continued to improve access to care across our hospitals and communities. None of that happens without the hard work and dedication of our staff.”
“The Excellence Awards give us a chance to pause and recognise the people behind that work, and I want to thank everyone for all they’ve contributed.”
More than 60 nominations were received this year. Awards were presented across 13 categories, including Staff Member of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and the Chief Executive’s Award.
Several recipients will now be nominated for the 2027 NSW Health Awards.
Award recipients in each category were:
•Staff Member of the Year Award: Katie McGill, Mental Health
•Volunteer of the Year Award: Carol Swain, Tamworth Hospital
•Transforming Patient Experience Award: All Together Now: Residential aged care in-reach service, Integrated Care, Networks and Partnerships
•Patient Safety First Award: Care board redesign project, Nursing and Midwifery
•Keeping People Healthy Award: Radiographer observations supporting timely clinical decision making, Imaging
•Excellence in Aboriginal Healthcare Award: Culturally safe alcohol and other drug (ADO) care, Drug and Alcohol Clinical Services
•People and Culture Award: Domestic and family violence (DVF) advice line trial, Violence Abuse and Neglect, and Integrated Care Networks and Partnerships
•Health Research Award: Minds together, Everymind
•Health Innovation Award: Virtual fracture clinic, Armidale Hospital
•Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award: Depot olanzapine critical coordination team, Mental Health Pharmacy
•Environmental Sustainability Award: Ditch the des, Infrastructure, Planning and Sustainability
•Excellence in Multicultural Healthcare Award: Connecting care: Supporting our workforce through timely interpreter access, Multicultural and Refugee Health Service
•Chief Executive’s Award: NDIS journey transformers, John Hunter Hospital
The Excellence Awards were generously supported by long-standing Platinum Sponsor Telstra, Gold Sponsors the University of Newcastle and Aware Super, and Silver Sponsors Bureau Veritas Australia and Richard Crookes Construction.
Media Release: Hunter New England Local Health District
