Health awards recognise innovation

12/08/2009 | Health Awards 2009

MidCentral District Health Board is calling for entries to its annual Health Awards to be held in Palmerston North in October.

The theme of this year’s awards programme is innovation, with the supreme award recognising outstanding innovation in the delivery of health care within the district.

“Our current economic climate has left us facing increasing challenges as we strive to improve the health of our communities,” says Mike Grant, general manager of MidCentral DHB’s funding division and awards’ sponsor.

“However, these challenges have allowed us to witness more innovative service delivery across the district. It is fitting that the theme of this year’s Health Awards is innovation, with our supreme award celebrating unique and creative approaches to health care.”

The awards span a wide range of categories from innovation to chronic care. 2009 also sees a new category added to the programme, honouring excellence in training and education.

“There are a lot of people involved in the training and education of health professionals in our district,” explains Mr Grant.

“Palmerston North hospital is a university teaching hospital and throughout the district there are a great many people involved in training nurses, physiotherapists and allied health professionals such as social workers.

“At this year’s awards we will celebrate the success of those who are mentoring and supporting the professional development of our future workforce.”

MidCentral DHB has hosted an awards programme since 2005, at which time they were for the primary health sector only. In 2008 the awards were expanded to include secondary health providers.

Mr Grant says the awards have become an annual highlight and are well supported by local providers and businesses.
“We have a number of local businesses who support the health awards. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to host an event of this scale. For health workers it is a chance to get together with colleagues and celebrate the hard work and effort of the sector.”

Nominations for the 2009 awards are open to any individual, team or organisation working to benefit the health and wellbeing of people within MidCentral District.
Application packs are available from www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz/healthawards or by emailing healthawards@midcentraldhb.govt.nz.

The winners of this year’s awards will be announced at a gala dinner at Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North on Friday October 30.
 
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