Award Categories

The following award categories seek to recognise and acknowledge health professionals working in rural and remote Western Australia:

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To download a copy of the Categories and Criteria please click here

GENERAL PRACTITIONER (GP) OF THE YEAR

This award recognises a GP or Procedural GP who has shown professional and personal commitment to regional and rural communities, and has gone above and beyond to provide high quality services throughout rural WA.

Eligibility:

  • Peer or organisation nominated. 
  • GPs must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location and have been working in a rural location for longer than two years
  • Procedural GPs must be appropriately credentialed and have provided anaesthetic, obstetric or surgical services in a regional or rural hospital in the preceding year (during 2021).
  • District Medical Officers and Senior Medical Officers are eligible to be nominated and must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location and have been working in a rural location for longer than two years 

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications, including length of service in rural practice.
  • Outline the exceptional qualities of the nominee that demonstrate they have provided consistent high-quality services to rural communities in WA, including steps taken by the nominee to upskill or introduce innovative clinical services. 
  • Provide examples of the nominee's contribution to the community with specific focus on the positive impact this has had on the wellbeing of the community. 


CLINICAL LEADERSHIP

This award recognises a rural clinician whose leadership demonstrates the highest professional standards.  This clinician, through their action and behaviour, is a role model for rural practitioners. 

Eligibility:

  • Peer or organisation nominated. 
  • Open to all health professionals.
  • Must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice. 
  • Provide an example of how the clinician has had significant positive impact on clinical leadership, such as in the following areas:
    • Patient safety. 
    • Patient care. 
    • Patient satisfaction. 
    • Improved access to primary care services. 
  • Outline how the clinician's leadership qualities have influenced peers to improve the wellbeing of the community. 

RURAL RESEARCHER OR EDUCATOR

This award recognises that health services research, as well as education and curriculum development specific to rural health needs, has the potential to make long-lasting contributions. 

Eligibility: 

  • Peer or organisation nominated. 
  • Research and education must have a rural focus. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice.
  • Demonstrate how the nominee's actions or initiatives have improved the climate for rural research or education in WA. Include how they have led change in the rural research or education sector.
  • Provide examples of how the nominee's personal research or education practices have influenced or improved rural health in WA.

SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR (NON-GP)

This award recognises medical specialists who have made significant contributions in providing outstanding care to their patients and the communities in which they practise. 

Eligibility: 

  • Peer or organisation nominated. 
  • Must be currently practising in a rural Western AAustralian MMM 2 - 7 location.
  • Must have been working in a rural location for longer than two years. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice.
  • Demonstrate how the nominee is committed to continuity of care and leaving a legacy for other health care professionals. 
  • Explain how the nominee is a role model within the health workforce. Include examples of team work and how they have upgraded the skills of the local health workforce to the benefit of the community. 

METROPOLITAN-BASED BUSH CHAMPION

This award recognises a clinician who has developed a service or facilitated country/metropolitan linkages to enhance access to metropolitan-based health services for rural communities. 

Eligibility: 

  • Peer, community or organisation nominated. 
  • Open to all health professionals.
  • Must be currently providing a service in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice.
  • Demonstrate how the nominee has developed a service or facilitated country/metropolitan linkages to enhance access to metropolitan-based health services for rural communities. 
  • Provide examples of how the nominee has improved outcomes in regional areas based on the access to metropolitan-based health services. 

RURAL NURSE/MIDWIFE OF THE YEAR

This award recognises an exceptional rural nurse or midwife who delivers outstanding patient care, positive outcomes and performs above the expectations of their role. 

Eligibility:

  • Peer or organisation nominated
  • Must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location. 
  • Must have been working in a rural location for longer than two years.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice. 
  • Demonstrate how the nominee has displayed a professional excellence in the area of patient care and how this has improved the outcomes for patients and their families. 
  • Provide examples of the nominee's contribution to the community with specific focus on how this has and will continue to make a difference to country communities. 

RURAL ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

This award recognises an allied health professional who has shown professional and personal commitment to regional and rural communities and has gone above and beyond to provide services to the community.

Eligibility:

  • Supervisor, peer or organisation nominated
  • Must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location. 
  • Must have been working in a rural location for longer than two years.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice. 
  • Outline the exceptional qualities of the allied health professional that demonstrate they deserve consideration for this award. 
  • Provide examples of the allied health professional's contribution to the community with specific focus on the positive impact this has had on the wellbeing of the community.
Eligible Allied Health Professions: Aboriginal health worker/health practitioner, allied health assistant/therapy assistant, audiologist, chiropractor, dental hygenist and therapist, dentist, diabetes educator, dietitian, exercise physiologist, mental health professional, nutritionist, occupational therapist, optometrist, paramedic, pharmacist, physiotherapist, psychologist, podiatrist, radiographer, sonographer, speech pathologist

RISING STAR

This award celebrates the future face of rural health care. Each year, we recognise a junior health professional who has shown a true passion for rural health and the intent to continue their career to country communities.

Eligibility: 

  • Supervisor, peer or organisation nominated. 
  • Open to all health professionals.
  • Must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location.
  • Must have been working in a rural location for longer that two years, but fewer than five years. 

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a summary of their career and qualifications including length of service in rural practice.
  • Demonstrate how the nominee has had a positive impact on the medical ecosystem, such as supporting colleagues, improving patient safety or other similar initiatives to improve quality of care. 
  • Provide examples of how the nominee is committed to becoming involved in social and volunteer networks within the community.

BUILDING HEALTHY COUNTRY COMMUNITIES

This award recognises an initiative or project involving one or more health professionals or entities that promotes or facilitates the development of rural health services.

Eligibility:

  • Community member, patient, peer or organisation nominated.
  • Can be self-nominated.
  • Open to individuals, teams, organisations and non-government organisations (NGOs)

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Demonstrate how the project or initiative provides health benefits to the rural community. Factors considered include: 
    • Coordination of services with other health care agencies to avoid duplication.
    • Networking and collaboration with other health care entities to achieve common goals. 
    • Innovation in development and implementation of health care services. 
    • Lasting impact on rural communities.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

This award is an opportunity for a patient or client or a support person to acknowledge a health professional who has provided care. 

Nominees for this award promote health, safety and wellbeing within the community and make a difference to the lives of patients or clients and their families as part of their normal working day.

Eligibility:

  • Community member or patient nominated. 
  • Must be currently practising in a rural Western Aaustralian MMM 2 - 7 location.
  • Must have been working in rural location for longer than two years. 
  • Open to all health professionals.

SELECTION CRITERIA

  • Tell us your story of why this person deserves this award.








CHAIRMANS' AWARD

Chosen from the winners of the 10 Excellence Awards, the Chairmans’ Award is presented to the person/team/organisation deemed to have demonstrated exceptional commitment and high quality care for patients and communities in rural WA.

Criteria:

  • Nominations are not required for this category.
  • The Chairmans' Award winner will be selected from the winners of each category.