2024 MPHN Primary Healthcare Award Winners

Promoting Healthy Living   

Winner: Health in Your Hands

The Deniliquin LHAC launched the Health in Your Hands project to align with MPHN and MLHD priorities and address health needs in the Edward River Local Government Area. Over 12 months, the project focused on repeated messaging about how lifestyle changes can prevent or reduce chronic disease risks. Community talks were held on nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation. Anecdotal feedback suggests that participants are positively engaging with the initiative and believe that committing to lifestyle changes can improve their health outcomes.  

Finalist: Dr Trudi Beck – Mums and Bubs

Nova Health Co.’s Mums and Bubs program is a multidisciplinary initiative designed to support women and babies during the postnatal period and improve health outcomes as they transition to parenthood. Co-facilitated by Dr Beck, the five-week program includes shared medical appointments for up to eight women and their babies, addressing recovery challenges and common parenting experiences. The syllabus follows the First 1000 Days Framework and the Neuroprotective Developmental Care (NDC/Possums) framework, promoting cued-care and responsive parenting. Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported over 470 participants.  

Murrumbidgee Community Grant of the Year  

Winner: Lived Experience Presentations, Murrumbidgee Men’s Group

With a Murrumbidgee Suicide Prevention Community Group Grant, the Murrumbidgee Men’s Group delivered lived experience talks to community groups, including Coleambally Central School and Wagga Wagga City Council workers. Speakers shared their personal experiences, discussed identifying triggers and warning signs, and provided strategies for staying well and seeking help. The talks aim to inspire hope and highlight the importance of mental wellness and recovery.  

Highly commended: Healthier Together in Deni

With a Wellbeing and Resilience Grant, the Deniliquin LHAC launched the Healthier Together in Deni initiative, featuring pull-up banners and monthly talks on health topics like kidney health, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. The goal was to encourage community members to stay active, learn about health, and share their knowledge. The banners and talks are also promoted through social media, newspapers, and radio, reaching thousands of people.  

Finalist: Active Farmers Hillston Wellness Day

With a Wellbeing and Resilience grant, Active Farmers organised the Hillston Wellness Day, offering wellness activities, mental health talks, and information stalls. The free event included sensory play for young children and various physical activities like cardio, strength, and gentle exercise. The event, which attracted participants aged 2 to 73, was well-received by the community.  

Innovation  

Winner: Instrumental Swallow Assessment Service, Collaborative Health Murrumbidgee

In the Murrumbidgee, people suspected of having dysphagia previously had to travel up to 400km for instrumental assessments. The Instrumental Swallow Assessment Service addresses this issue by offering mobile assessments using a portable fibre-endoscopic device in communities like Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong, and Griffith. This initiative has reduced wait times from six months to two weeks, decreased client costs, and likely lowered hospital admissions related to aspiration complications. It also provides learning opportunities and free educational support through clinics for GPs and residential aged care homes to enhance dysphagia competencies.  

Finalist: APLUS Pharmacy Education

Pharmacies in Moama, Deniliquin, and Tocumwal received full-day coaching from APlus Pharmacy Education to upskill staff on asthma, eczema, and hayfever. The training included pre-booked patient clinics and resulted in improved staff confidence, better store layouts, and enhanced medication solutions. Patients reported better asthma control, significantly lower hayfever scores, and improved eczema management, leading to a better quality of life.  

Finalist: Guunu-Maana (Heal) Community Coordinated Burn Care

The Community Coordinated Burn Care project, led by Hay Aboriginal Medical Service, was established after a local child’s tragic burn injury to improve local health services and care coordination. In partnership with ACCHS, the George Institute for Global Health, SBIS, and the Burns Service at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead, the project provides training to enhance burn care skills and confidence. It aims to care for children within the community, reduce hospital stays, and prevent long-term complications by addressing gaps in integrated burn care. 

Emerging Leader  

Winner: Cristie Simpson

Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service (GAMS) launched a pilot speech therapy program with the Rural Doctor’s Network to support local First Nations children. Led by Allied Health Assistant Cristie Simpson, the program offers online appointments and play therapy, with Cristie conducting assessments and facilitating therapy. Since February 2024, Cristie has supported 189 care episodes and is pursuing a Certificate 4 in Allied Health - Speech Therapy. GAMS aims to expand the program to Lake Cargelligo and Hay by hiring another allied health assistant. 

Highly commended: headspace Griffith CARES team

From October 2023 to August 2024, the headspace Griffith CARES team joined the Orygen Implementation Lab to address referral, recruitment, and retention challenges. With tailored support, headspace Griffith successfully recruited six clinicians, along with administration and community engagement staff, creating a stable and committed team. Improved referral processes ensure clients receive the right support from the appropriate provider.  

Outstanding Contribution to Leadership in Primary Healthcare  

Winner: Riverina Aboriginal Medical and Dental Service (RivMed)

Faced with a GP shortage, RivMed relied on locums but has since appointed a Senior Medical Officer and GP Supervisor, successfully recruiting three full-time Registrars, two of whom have become Fellows. RivMed also trains Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) through the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, offering valuable experience in general practice and Aboriginal Health. By providing meaningful placements, RivMed encourages interns and registrars to stay in rural practice.  

Highly commended: Peta Cullis

Founded in 2009 by dietitian Peta Cullis, Ingrained Nutrition provides quality healthcare to regional and rural areas. Supporting 5,000 people across 20 locations, including 2,000 in outreach and aged care, Ingrained Nutrition helps with eating disorders, diabetes remission, and more. Peta also mentors new dietitians to improve their skills and knowledge of the health system.