Victorian Healthcare Innovators Honored at 19th Annual Public Healthcare Awards
Recognizing groundbreaking achievements in public healthcare, the 19th Victorian Public Healthcare Awards celebrated leaders and organizations dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of all Victorians. The awards, presented at a gala on Wednesday, November 26th, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, spotlighted initiatives focused on strengthening care, advancing equity, and building a healthier future.
Championing Excellence Across the Healthcare Spectrum
The awards encompassed a broad range of categories, acknowledging innovation in areas from community care to mental health and Aboriginal wellbeing. Several programs stood out for their commitment to patient-centered solutions and systemic improvements.
General Awards recipients included:
- Care in the community: Mercy Health Victoria Limited for its expansion of the Paediatric and Neonatal Hospital in the Home (HITH) Service.
- Sustainable healthcare: Your Community Health for “Our Climate, Our Health,” embedding sustainability and equity into community healthcare.
- Mental health and wellbeing: Peninsula Health for the “Elimination of Seclusion” initiative.
- Aged care: Barwon Health for its “Restoring Dignity and Quality of Life” specialist dementia care program.
- Value-based healthcare: Northern Health for “Transforming Asthma Care” through a co-designed digital pathway.
- Women’s health: Western Health for “Pioneering Care,” supporting addiction medicine needs for women in custodial settings.
- Aboriginal health and wellbeing: The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and Mo Works Creative Agency for “FLIP THE VAPE,” a campaign addressing youth vaping.
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion: Eastern Health and Rahma Health for “A Blueprint for Community-led Multicultural Health Resources,” starting with the Arabic-speaking community.
- Workforce development: Eastern Health for “Boosting Social Work” via AHA roles.
- Healthcare partnerships: The Royal Women’s Hospital for the Public Fertility Care Partnership.
Premier’s Health Service Awards Recognize Regional and Statewide Leaders
The Premier’s Health Service of the Year Awards highlighted exceptional performance across different service sizes. Oral Health Victoria was named Premier’s Primary Healthcare Service of the Year, while Heywood Rural Health earned the title of Premier’s Small Health Service of the Year. Dhelkaya Health received the award for Premier’s Medium Health Service of the Year, and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne was recognized as the Premier’s Large Health Service of the Year.
Volunteers Honored for Dedicated Service
The invaluable contributions of volunteers were also celebrated, with the Volunteer Services Team at Bendigo Health receiving the Health Volunteer Team of the Year award.
Werribee Mercy Hospital’s HITH Program: Bringing Hospital-Level Care Home
A spotlight was shone on Werribee Mercy Hospital’s Neonatal and Paediatric Hospital in the Home (HITH) program, which received the ‘Care in the community’ award. “The service delivers true hospital-level care in the place where families feel the safest: their own home,” explained a senior pediatrician at the hospital. “It keeps parents close to their baby, builds confidence and strengthens their understanding of their child’s care. We’re incredibly proud of the difference this program is making for families in our community.”
The awards underscore a continuing commitment to innovation and excellence within Victoria’s public healthcare system, demonstrating a dedication to meeting the evolving needs of the community and ensuring a healthier future for all. Further details on all winners and finalists are available [here](More information on the winners (together with a list and information on category finalists) is available here.).
Image (L to R): Clinton Cummins, CEO Health Services, Mercy Health; Sharnee Lowry, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Mercy Health; Dr Jye Gard, Paediatrician, Mercy Health; A Prof Kathy McMahon, Clinical Director of Paediatrics, Mercy Health (Courtesy Mercy Health).
