A nurse with 50 years’ experience and expertise in working with young people in the NSW justice system is one of 12 award recipients at this year’s NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard presented the awards at a ceremony held at Parliament House, with almost half of the 35 finalists from regional and rural NSW.
NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said the awards recognise nurses and midwives who have demonstrated excellence and commitment to improving patient care.
“The awards celebrate the difference that individuals can make to the experience of care for patients, families and the communities in which we work,” Ms Cross said.
Una Champion, Nursing Unit Manager from the Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre, has been named the winner of the 2018 Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award.
She has worked tirelessly to improve the treatment of young people, including pre-custody care, custodial health and continuum of care into the community.
A record 52,000 nurses and midwives work in the NSW public health system, with more than 2,400 nursing and midwifery graduates recruited in 2018 – over a quarter for rural and regional areas.
One of the judges and now nursing fundraiser was 2014 Lindt Café siege survivor Louisa Hope, who spent three months recovering in Prince of Wales Hospital.
“NSW is lucky to have such dedicated hospital staff, who provide not only the very best in clinical excellence, but also bring a great deal of humour and caring to their roles.”
Mr Hazzard thanked the winners and 23 nominees for their outstanding contribution to patient care.
“This is an opportunity to recognise not only these extraordinary people, but all the men and women across our health system who consistently do such a fantastic job, providing the best possible care to patients, every day,” Mr Hazzard said.
Among other winners was Broken Hill midwife Boe Calvert, who received the Excellence in Midwifery – Registered Midwife award for her work to improve maternity care for Aboriginal women and families in rural communities.