Health Organisation Award Nominations

Nidjalla Waangan Mia – GP Down South

Nidjalla Waangan Mia was established in 2010 to help meet the needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Peel region by providing Culturally Appropriate Health and Wellbeing Services for clients who live in Mandurah, Murray, Waroona and Pinjarra. It is an AGPAL accredited practice.

Services include a nurse-led GP clinic, and Integrated Team Care including an outreach worker and Transport Officer. The centre also offers Wellness Programs including such as cooking and healthy lifestyle, runs podiatry clinics, and has a visiting paediatrician. All activities and programs are directed towards achieving maximum improvement in health outcomes for clients. “We try to deliver them in a fun, non-clinical and non-threatening way to reduce barriers and maximise attendance.”

Peel Youth Medical Service

Peel Youth Medical Service (PYMS) is a holistic, youth friendly medical centre for young people between the ages of 12 and 25.

PYMS offers a confidential, comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service with GPs, registered nurses and counsellors on site. PYMS aims to promote wellness by improving the mental, social and physical health of young people in the Peel region.

Pulmonary Hypertension Network Australia

Pulmonary Hypertension Network Australia is a national charity that partners with the community to reduce diagnosis times, support and educate those living with pulmonary hypertension in Australia.

The organisation was started when founder Melissa Dumitru was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2008 and given just four years to live. Melissa quickly realised the enormous gap in the availability of support, information and resources for people newly diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in Australia. The Network endeavours to develop effective and holistic, person-centred approaches to care and treatment. It supports and assists people through their journey to develop the knowledge and skills needed to manage and live well with a serious, chronic disease.

Kalamunda Hospital Palliative Care nursing team

Kalamunda Hospital has seen focused growth in its specialist inpatient palliative care service during its 40 years of operation. In the last few years alone, the palliative care ward has gone from a four bed unit to a 20 bed unit.

Clinical Nurse Specialist Cheryl Potter said the service provides comprehensive specialist medical, nursing and allied health care based on the unique needs of patients, carers and families when facing a life limiting illness. One consumer who shared their experience when nominating said the nursing team always put the patient first. “They go above and beyond and treat every patient with respect and dignity at the worst time of their life. They showed such compassion and care.”

Aboriginal Health Champions Program

The Aboriginal Health Champions (AHCs) program was established in 2018 to assist in improving health outcomes for Aboriginal patients accessing all South Metropolitan Health Services (SMHS). The Working Group involved in the establishment of the Aboriginal Health Champion program consisted of Aboriginal consumers, carers and community members, who contributed to the program concept along with SMHS staff.

This program was designed to build on the existing knowledge base and practice of the Aboriginal Health Champions and assist them to further develop their leadership within the organisation and their understandings of the cultural and health care needs for Aboriginal patients.

SJOG Endoscopy Unit

The Endoscopy Unit at St John of God Murdoch Hospital performs, on average, 240 procedures per week. One consumer who shared their experience when nominating said the team helped alleviate her stress and address her concerns before a procedure. “I received such thoughtful and compassionate care – I had full confidence in this friendly and professional team.”

RPH Emergency department

Each year the Royal Perth Hospital Emergency department sees more than 84,000 patients. The consumer who nominated them for this award said the team acted with expertise, kindness and humour during their emergency visit, despite the busy nature of the department.

Te Urupu IMPI (Te Urupu Indigenous Community Development Inc)

Te Urupu Indigenous, Maori and Pacific Island Community was created to engage indigenous communities in healthy living, sport opportunities, upskilling and education. They promote positive pathways to Youth Mental Health, by empowering youth with the tools to care for their own wellbeing, under the guidance of youth workers and peer support programs.

One consumer who shared their experience when nominating said the organisation really helped with mental health support for their family. “I was not coping at all until Tina came along to listen to our very sad, sad hearts. We were lost beyond any words. Tina stood beside us and got us professional help. I want to show my appreciation of this organisation, by giving them what they deserve. A huge pat on the back”.

NMHS Adult Mental Health Program

The Adult Program within North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) Mental Health has cultivated a long-term commitment to empowering consumers and carers to participate in health service delivery decisions. Having established its first Consumer Advisory Group in 1994, the Adult Program now has three active CAG groups and a ‘lived experience’ workforce that comprises of eight peer support workers, 18 consumer and carer consultants and 22 representatives.

The Service values consumer and carer engagement as a high and continuous priority. Consumer and carer contributions have included, but are not limited to, consumer care planning processes and the provision of integrated co-located services and partnerships that make a real difference in meeting the needs of consumers and carers.

RPH Haematology & Oncology

Royal Perth Hospital provides a comprehensive range of tertiary level clinical and laboratory services including haematology and oncology. One consumer who shared their experience when nominating said that, over a period of attending the department regularly, they had observed the staff to be “very committed to their work”.

BHS – Silent Disco Program

Patients at Bentley Hospital have recently been rocking out to a silent disco. The patients listened to music through wireless headphones which enabled them to enjoy the music without disrupting others on the ward. The groups are run by Occupational Therapists in the inpatient program and began in November last year with the purpose of providing music to all patients within the adult mental health inpatient wards.

Michelle Dillon has led the collection of extensive evidence for enriched environments and using music and music groups to enhance social, physical and cognitive function and increase outcomes for inpatients. Using this information, she has implemented innovative programs that support the delivery of enriched environments at Bentley Hospital.