2019 Primary Healthcare Awards now open

MPHN has now opened nominations for its Primary Healthcare Awards to recognise the valuable and significant work being undertaken by health professionals, organisations and communities to improve health outcomes across the region.

MPHN Board Chair, Dr Jodi Culbert said there are four award categories this year including Outstanding Contribution to Community, Innovation, Promoting Healthy Living, and Murrumbidgee Community Grant of the Year.

“In my role as a general practitioner, I see daily examples of how my colleagues, other health professionals and organisations are implementing meaningful strategies to improve health outcomes for their patients,” Dr Culbert said.

“It might be in how you look at increasing health literacy, encouraging better lifestyle choices to combat weight, chronic disease, or alcohol and drug issues, reducing hospital admissions, or improving mental health and wellbeing.

“I am encouraging, individuals, organisations and communities to submit an award nomination and we look forward to recognising the finalists and award recipients in October,” she said.

MPHN CEO Melissa Neal said the introduction of an award specifically to recognise the contribution of community-led initiatives from Murrumbidgee Community Grant funding was particularly exciting.

“We have had seen many quality initiatives being funded with our community grants and feedback from participants of these activities are overwhelmingly positive,” Ms Neal said.

“It’s important to recognise the positive impact being made by communities to help improve the health and wellbeing of their community.

“In smaller rural communities, we know non-clinical activities can support people to better manage their health and may help reduce for clinical interventions down the track,” she said.

Applications are now open and close on Sunday 8 September 2019. Winners will be announced on 12 October at the Annual General Meeting.

For more information about the awards and to apply visit www.mphnawards.org.au or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

MPHN 2019 Primary Healthcare Awards categories:

Murrumbidgee Community Grant of the Year to recognise excellence in developing and delivering an activity or event funded by a Murrumbidgee Community Grant. The recipient of this award will demonstrate how the event or activity supported the mental health and wellbeing a drought affected community.

Outstanding Contribution to Community to recognise a health professional or practice that has made an outstanding contribution to primary health service delivery and acknowledges a remarkable accomplishment in the unfolding story of Primary Health service delivery in the Murrumbidgee.

Innovation to recognise those who are promoting new or creative ways to improve the health and wellbeing of our community.

Promoting Healthy Living to recognise projects that encourage people to take ownership of their own health and wellbeing with projects targeting health literacy, healthy lifestyles, reducing hospital admissions and chronic disease are just some ways to promote health living.