Early intervention for young children with development delay, nurse-led screening for cardiovascular health, a program to help ease health workforce issues and mental health support for the homeless.
These varied programs won the four categories in the 2022 Gippsland Primary Health Awards, announced in front of a large crowd at a ceremony that followed the Gippsland Primary Health Network’s annual general meeting in Sale on Wednesday 16 November.
Gippsland PHN Chair, Therese Tierney, Chief Executive officer, Amanda Proposch and special guest speaker, songman Kutcha Edwards, presented the awards to the winners.
From 17 finalists, the winners were:
Populations – Central Gippsland Health
In 2020, Central Gippsland Health implemented a trans-disciplinary model of care though the development of the Early Intervention Triage Clinic. The clinic’s focus is on timely support for pre-school children with developmental delay or behavioural concerns.
Health Issues – Latrobe Health Services
In June 2022, Latrobe Health Services delivered an Australian first-of-its-kind Healthy Hearts Study in Gippsland. It tested the cardiovascular health of 500 people and successfully demonstrated that pharmacy or nurse-led health screenings can be a valuable mechanism for delivering preventative health awareness for the community.
Service Issues – Gippsland Lakes Complete Health
The Cadetship Program at Gippsland Lakes Complete Health represents an innovative solution to rural allied health workforce issues. The cadetship model offers students the opportunity for paid employment while they complete their degree.
Prevention Issues – Wellways Australia
The Gippsland Psychosocial Support Service is delivered throughout Gippsland by Wellways Australia and in 2021, a position dedicated to supporting participants who were homeless was introduced. Wellways designed a training package for support workers, recognising the inherent link between housing instability and mental health recovery. The worker identifies individuals experiencing homelessness and introduces the activities to support participants in finding and sustaining a home, through a recovery-focused lens.
“The entries demonstrate the amazing work happening in primary care across Gippsland to ensure everyone in our community has access to the care they need at the right time,” Ms Proposch said. “The finalists come from every part of Gippsland with entries targeting people of all ages, delivering innovative and seamless services and programs.
“We congratulate the winners and all the finalists.”
The award for Health issues is presented to Latrobe Health Services. Pictured (from left) are Gippsland PHN Chair, Therese Tierney, Amy Sabatini from Wesfarmers Health, Mark Boyes from Wesfarmers Health, Ian Whitehead, LHS Chief Executive officer, Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch and special guest, Kutcha Edwards.
The award for Populations is presented to Central Gippsland Health (CGH). Pictured (from left) are Gippsland PHN Chair, Therese Tierney, Melati Conwell from CGH, Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch and special guest, Kutcha Edwards.
The award for Service issues is presented to Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH). Pictured (from left) are Gippsland PHN Chair, Therese Tierney, Anne-Maree Kaser from GLC H, Ainsleigh Whelan from GLCH, Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch and special guest, Kutcha Edwards.
The award for Prevention issues is presented to Wellways Australia. Pictured (from left) are Gippsland PHN Chair, Therese Tierney, Brendan Beschle, Laura Stavrov and Beth Fogarty from Wellways, Gippsland PHN Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Proposch and special guest, Kutcha Edwards.
