The first MDHB Health Awards, held in 2005, were for the primary care sector only, and saw 60 nominations across nine categories. It was in 2008 that the awards were expanded to include secondary care, and saw 80 nominations across an expanded 11 categories. The record of winners goes to show that as long as the work being done is innovative, and working to actively improve the health care of people in the MidCentral district, anyone can win.
More recently, the Health Awards have seen a push toward recognising integrated health care, as more and more organisations from the primary and secondary sectors begin to work together to produce positive health outcomes for communities. Now more than ever, it is becoming apparent that using the specialties of different health organisations to work toward a common goal is a way of providing better care, while working within resource restrictions that health organisations often face.
For the past ten years, MidCentral DHB has been seeking out those who embody the innovative spirit that New Zealand is famous for, and the call is going out again for nominations as MDHB celebrates a decade of excellence with the 2014 Health Awards. Previous winners have drawn on their passion for superior health care to shape a better future for everyone in the MidCentral district, and the MDHB Health Awards provide a way of recognising these innovators, rewarding them for their creative ideas and service improvements. MDHB wants to see what amazing new innovations are ticking away in the health sector, and are encouraging those in health to take a moment to nominate themselves or someone else for the work they are doing to improve the health of local communities.
Entries are now open, and people have until Friday 5 September to get their nominations in. For an application pack, or to order tickets for the event go to www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz/healthawards while any enquiries can be directed to healthawards@midcentraldhb.govt.nz
Awards sponsor Mike Grant is looking forward to recognising the incredible work that health sector workers do within the MidCentral area.
He said: “The 2013 awards were an immense success, with scores of entries showcasing innovation, energy and commitment to delivering the very best in health care. This year, being our celebration of a decade of excellence, will be the best Health Awards to date.
“These awards exist to ensure that individuals and teams are rewarded for work that raises the standard of health care in the MidCentral district. Importantly, it is about celebrating the achievements of all specialties in an array of settings.”
This year the supreme award will go to the individual or team that demonstrates excellence in integrated health care. To win, applicants will need to demonstrate an innovative approach and use of integrated practices in the achievement of successful health outcomes.
The winner of the supreme award will take away $3000, a trophy and certificate of acknowledgement, while the category winners will take away the trophy, and certificate, along with $2000.