The North Coast Primary Health Network (NCPHN) has chosen 12 finalists to contest the four categories in the Inaugural Primary Health Care Excellence Awards.
“These new Awards showcase the excellent work being done by GPs, allied health practitioners and community health workers right across the North Coast, from the Tweed down to Port Macquarie,” said the NCPHN’s Chief Executive Dr Vahid Saberi.
The finalists are:
1. Tresilian Lismore Family Care Centre - Enabling Service Provision through Partnership
2. North Coast Primary Health Network (Mid North Coast) - No Longer on the Backburner: Re-Developing Musculoskeletal Models of Care
3. NCPHN, NNSWLHD, Bulgarr Ngaru, UCRH, Solid Mob and NSW Country Rugby League - 1 Deadly Step, Casino
4. New Access - New Access initiative
5. Nimbin Neighbourhood & Information Centre Inc - Nimbin Independent Services (NIS)
6. NCPHN - Needs Assessment
7. New Directions - Mothers & Babies Program
8. NNSWLHD Renal Services and Bugalwena General Practice - Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease in Aboriginal People
9. NCPHN - Improved Health from the Winsome Health Outreach Clinic in Lismore
10. NCPHN - First Responders CPR Program
11. Bay Medical Centre, Byron Bay, Feros Care - eVillage
12. MNCLHD, Royal Far West & NCPHN - Nambucca Valley Healthy Kids Bus Stop
Three finalists were chosen in each of the four Award categories with project topics ranging from the health of mothers and babies/young children, improving the wellbeing of disadvantaged people, and the eVillage in Byron Bay/Bangalow connecting Feros Care residents with GPs, specialists and the community.
Several of the projects focus on Indigenous health, including the 1 Deadly Step exercise program in Casino and the early detection of chronic kidney disease.
The final award judging will be announced at an event in Coffs Harbour on 9 September.
“The Primary Health Care Excellence Awards honour the partnerships, teams and individuals who work tirelessly to find new ways to keep community members healthy and out of hospital,” Dr Saberi said.
“These Awards spotlight the often unseen efforts that help make improvements to health care outcomes in non-hospital settings.
“North Coast Primary Health Network has an ongoing commitment to fostering and recognising excellence in primary health care. We want to publicly recognise those who are making a real difference.
“Not just the finalists but all of the accepted entries are winners in their own way, although the true winners are the patients and clients whose health and wellbeing is benefiting from the efforts of our wonderful health care professionals,” he added.
