Moree District Health Service excels in Premier’s Public Sector Awards
A commitment by Moree District Health Service to delivering high quality, innovative healthcare has been recognised, with the health service winning a coveted Silver Award in the 2007 Premier’s Public Sector Awards in Sydney last week. The Premier's Public Sector Awards have been presented since 1997 to encourage and acknowledge outstanding initiatives that have produced proven benefits for New South Wales. They formally recognise and reward achievements of excellence and provide an opportunity to showcase the NSW public sector's commitment to quality and the provision of service.
The awards are open to all NSW public sector agencies including departments, authorities, boards, commissions, government trading enterprises and state owned corporations.
The introduction of eye surgery in Moree was recognised at this level as a successful example of a collaborative approach to health service delivery.
Nurse Unit Manager for Perioperative Services at Moree District Health Service Sharon Nash said inter-agency partnerships had been critical to the introduction of eye surgery to Moree District Health Service.
“Through a unique collaboration with Pius X Aboriginal Corporation, Moree District Health Service and the Outback Eye Service, incorporating Sydney Eye Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital, we have collaborated to ensure provision of opthamology services - and in particular cataract surgery - to the community of Moree and surrounding districts,” Ms Nash said.
“We are working together to continuously improve the eye health of the indigenous community of Moree, and as the goals of all the service providers were similar in nature, this collaboration was formed with the ultimate goal of improving the eye health of the whole community,” she said.
This collaboration resulted in the commencement of ophthalmology services in Moree in January 2007.
Since this time, more than 96 patients have had eye surgery undertaken at Moree District Health Service, with many more patients having access to consultation services with an ophthalmologist at Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service.
“Funding became available through the Rural Surgical Enhancement project in 2006 and all the funding provided to Moree District Health Service was allocated to set up and purchase equipment to begin ophthalmology surgery,” Ms Nash said.
“The service allows the residents of Moree and surrounding district to access a high quality ophthalmology service, including surgery, within their own town,” she said.
Hunter New England Health Acting Chief Executive Dr Nigel Lyons said he was very proud of the area health service and its success at the awards.
“Hunter New England Health is committed to providing high quality healthcare to the people of the Hunter New England Health region and I am very proud of our staff and the outstanding work they are doing to make this happen,” Dr Lyons said.
“Attaining a Silver Premier’s Award is a significant achievement and well-deserved recognition for the team at Moree and this project is making a commendable difference to the community of Moree.
“We were competing against the best in the state and I am extremely proud of our success.”
Hunter New England Health won a total of five awards in the 2007 Premier’s Public Sector Awards.
Media: A photograph of NSW Premier Mr Morris Iemma and Nurse Unit Manager for Perioperative Services at Moree District Health Service Sharon Nash is available for your use. Photo courtesy of the NSW Premier's Public Sector Awards, Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Contact: Nicole Fuller
Phone: (02) 6767 7136