A health program targeting Aboriginal people with chronic kidney problems in the northern New South Wales region has taken out an award at the NSW Health Awards.
The Northern NSW Local Health District took out the Integrated Health Care category for its Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease in Aboriginal People program.
NSW health minister Jillian Skinner said the aim of the project was to improve identification and management of indigenous clients with early stages of chronic kidney disease.
‘Before the project began at the Tweed Heads Bugalwena General Practice, only two per cent of adult clients were identified as having the disease. That has now grown to 10.7 per cent,’ Mrs Skinner said.
Meanwhile the Mid North Coast LHD claimed two categories – Local Solutions and Collaborative Team – for its conversion of Wauchope Hospital’s emergency department into an urgent care centre.
North Coast Parliamentary Secretary Chris Gulaptis said he wasn’t surprised the northern LHDs were successful.
‘They do great work every day and should be applauded for their efforts in developing inventive and modern approaches to health care,’Mr Gulaptis said.
There were 48 finalists in 11 categories at the NSW Health Awards, with many showcasing their work at the NSW Health and Innovation Symposium earlier in the day.
Seven categories were won by regional Local Health Districts, including Far West, Hunter New England, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Mid North Coast and Northern NSW.
Ms Skinner said the awards recognised the excellence of our nurses, clinicians, allied health professionals, support staff, researchers and volunteers, who strived on a daily basis to develop and implement innovative models of care with the aim of improving outcomes for patients across NSW.
