Community
28 November, 2024
TMHS among the best
HEALTHCARE workers and volunteers were last week recognised for their passion and dedication for helping Victorians at the annual Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas and Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt announced the winners of this year’s awards – acknowledging the care, compassion and outstanding contributions being across Victoria’s world class health system.
The awards shine a spotlight on the dedicated nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health workers, volunteers and organisations who change and save Victorian lives every day.
As Western District Newspapers had published in September, Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) had been named among the three finalists for Premier’s Small Health Service of the Year, however, was unsuccessful on the night.
TMHS had been named a finalist for the awards in September, with the Victorian Government noting it provides “a wide range of high-quality health and wellbeing services to its community, while fast earning a broader reputation for outstanding results in clinical performance, management systems, staff satisfaction and consumer experience”.
“Across a range of respected survey and measurement programs, TMHS shines as an exemplary rural health service demonstrating reach and impact,” the Department of Health noted when announcing the finalists.
“Terang and Mortlake Health Service continues to excel in every key performance and practice measure.
“They acknowledge the individual and community contributions that have contributed to their leading health care service.”
Great Ocean Health ultimately won the Premier’s Small Health Service of the Year Award, nominated for their approach to patient care at their Lorne and Apollo Bay campuses.
The Premier’s Large Health Service of the Year Award went to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, who have been providing specialist cancer care to Victorians for more than 70 years.
For excellence in Aboriginal health and wellbeing, The Beautiful Shawl Project came out on top, which works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to design shawls to provide coverage during breast screens that is both culturally safe and empowering.
TMHS chief executive officer Julia Ogdin acknowledged it was a bitter sweet night, but expressed her gratitude for all staff had achieved to earn a spot among the finalists.
“I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our staff who have had their hard work recognised in order to be shortlisted for this award,” she said.
“To be recognised as one of the top three performing small rural health services in Victoria is both an honour and humbling.
“We send our heartfelt congratulations to Great Ocean Road Health who took out the award this year and celebrate the accomplishments of all small rural health services across the state.”
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas congratulated representatives from each of the health services for their dedicated efforts.
“Victoria has one of the most talented and dedicated health workforces anywhere in the world, and this year’s nominees and award winners are just a sample of the outstanding care being delivered across the state,” she said.
“I congratulate them for their incredible work.”