The following award categories seek to recognise and acknowledge health professionals working in rural and remote Western Australia:
Nominations Close Monday 4 September 2023
To download a copy of the Categories and Criteria please click here
NEW CATEGORY
ABORIGINAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
This award recognises an Aboriginal health professional who has shown personal and professional commitment to the provision of safe, responsive, kind and culturally appropriate health care. This person has gone above and beyond to provide quality services to benefit rural communities.
This award recognises both medical and non-medical workers and includes medical practitioners, specialists, counsellors, Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners, nurses and many other professions including Aboriginal Liaison Officers working in a regional hospital or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.
Eligibility:
- Peer or organisation nominated.
- Must be currently providing services in Aboriginal health
- Nominee must identify as Aboriginal
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Outline how the nominee has established their career in rural health. Include a brief summary of their career and qualifications including provision of service in Aboriginal health.
- Outline how the nominee works collaboratively with the patient, family and/or community and healthcare team to provide person-centred care to Aboriginal people.
- 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.
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.
CLINICAL LEADER
OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a rural clinician whose leadership qualities emulate the highest professional standards and who has improved the image and practice of rural healthcare in WA.
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.
COMMUNITY HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
OF THE YEAR
This award is an opportunity for a patient, client, or a support person to acknowledge a health professional who has provided outstanding 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 Australian 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.
GENERAL PRACTITIONER (GP)
OF THE YEAR
This award recognises a GP or rural generalist 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.
Nominees of this award must be providing comprehensive general practice or primary care services in a rural setting. Consideration will also be given to nominees providing emergency care, anaesthetics, obstetrics, surgery, paediatrics, palliative care, internal medicine or Aboriginal health services as part of their role.
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 2022).
- 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.
HEALTH TEAM
OF THE YEAR
Previously - Building Healthy Country Communities
This award recognises a health team achieving improved client outcomes for rural people through program or service delivery excellence. Nominees are invited for both rural and metropolitan based health teams.
Eligibility:
- Peer, community, patient, organisation or self-nominated.
- Open to teams, organisations and non-government organisations.
- Must be currently providing service in rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location, however can be based in a metropolitan area.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Outline how the project, initiative or team provides benefits to the rural community. Factors to be considered include:
- Coordination of services with other healthcare agencies or provided linkages to enhance access to metropolitan-based health services.
- Innovation in development and implementation of healthcare services.
- Lasting impact on rural communities.
NURSE OR 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 as a nurse/midwife 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 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.
SPECIALIST (NON-GP)
OF THE YEAR
This award recognises medical specialists who have made significant contributions to providing care for their patients and the communities in which they practise. This category is open to both resident medical specialists and visiting medical specialists providing an outreach service in rural locations.
Eligibility:
- Peer or organisation nominated.
- Must be currently practising in a rural Western Australian MMM 2 - 7 location.
- Must have been working in, or providing a service to, 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.
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
OF THE YEAR
This award celebrates the face of the future rural healthcare.. Each year, we recognise a junior health professional who has shown a true passion for rural health and is intent on dedicating 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 than 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.
CHAIRMANS' AWARD
Chosen from the winners of the 9 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.