A free autism assessment service for children, a virtual allied health clinic, a “small practice with a big heart” and an Aboriginal cardiac care program have won the 2024 Gippsland Primary Health Awards.
Ms Briana Baass, Chief Allied Health Officer of Victoria, announced the four winners from 34 award finalists, who were celebrated at the Primary Health Awards on Wednesday November 20.
The Gippsland Primary Health Awards celebrate excellence in primary healthcare across Gippsland, recognising outstanding contributions by health professionals and organisations.
Presented by the Gippsland Primary Health Network (PHN), there were four award categories in 2024:
- Transforming practice through multidisciplinary care
- Transforming workplace culture
- Transforming care through digital solutions
- Transforming access to care through inclusive practice
Gippsland PHN CEO Amanda Proposch congratulated the winners, who received a $2000 voucher for professional development or wellbeing activities.
“We had an outstanding calibre of applicants in this year’s awards,” Ms Proposch said.
“This year, we focused on “transformation” as our theme. As a community, we are navigating rapid and significant growth and change within primary care.
“At the heart of these changes are people and organisations who are leading with resilience, creativity and a commitment to healthier future for Gippsland.
“Congratulations to all our winners and nominees.”
2024 Gippsland Primary Health Award winners
Category: Transforming practice through multidisciplinary care
Winner: Latrobe Community Health Service
Latrobe Community Health Service’s Autism Assessment Clinic offers free support to children under 7 from vulnerable back grounds. Working with Latrobe Regional Health, the clinic provides assessments, diagnosis, and family support with a team of specialists, including paediatricians, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists.
Category: Transforming workplace culture
Winner: Atticus Health Jindivick
The team describes themselves as “a small practice with a big heart”. Atticus Health strives to be “driven by soul”, driven by passion and purpose to treat every interaction with the utmost respect and care.
Category: Transforming care through digital solutions
Winner: Federation University Virtual Care Clinic
Federation University Virtual Care Clinic (FPVCC) supports people living with chronic health conditions, at a no or low-cost service. The clinic is designed to use telehealth while educating physiotherapy students as a digitally capable future workforce.
Category: Transforming access to care through inclusive practice
Winner: Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s “Culture at the Heart”.
Culture at the Heart is a community-driven program that enhances Aboriginal Community members’ understanding of cardiac care, supports safe, culturally centred care, and improves self-management and health outcomes for Community.
