Victorian Public Healthcare Awards winners and finalists

Winner

Nourishing Our Community: A Comprehensive Strategy to Promote Healthy Food Choices Among Healthcare Staff, Children, and the Community

Western District Health Service

Western District Health Service (WDHS) has shown exceptional leadership in combating preventative food-related diseases, eliminating sugary drinks in 2015 and introducing a healthy green menu in 2018. These initiatives, though initially unconventional, have earned respect from colleagues and spurred significant change.

The recent statewide 2023 food policy shift highlights WDHS’s role in enacting impactful changes, proving that dedication and innovation can drive progress in public health. WDHS's vision and efforts are now being implemented across Australia. Embracing and pioneering change is never easy. Their most recent work, despite challenges, demonstrates that rural health services can lead systemic reforms.

Finalists

Victorian Virtual Specialist Consult (VVSC) Service

Northern Health

The Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults (VVSC) utilises video co-consultation with community providers to provide timely and equitable access to specialist expertise across the state. VVSC provides specialist care differently and, in collaboration with community-based clinicians, specialist expertise is provided when and where required, rather than when available.

The collaborative consultation (the Collab-Consult) supports Victoria's community and rural-based workforce with expert support and upskilling to manage patients in their own community. In doing so, VVSC reduces demand on overburdened hospital outpatient services, supports patients getting the right care in the right place and re-establishes value in health care for all Victorians.

Beating Buruli in Victoria

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
The University of Melbourne
Austin Health
Melbourne Health
Agriculture Victoria
CSIRO
Curtin University
Millersville University (PA, USA)

The 'Beating Buruli' program sought to investigate how Buruli ulcer (BU) is spread across Victoria. Buruli ulcer (BU) is an infection of subcutaneous tissue caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans). BU is a neglected tropical skin disease usually associated with poverty and disadvantage, predominantly afflicting rural communities across Africa. However, the regions of Victoria have now been marked as BU endemic areas.

By deploying innovative genomic science in the field, the program successfully identified mosquitoes as vectors of M. ulcerans from the environment to humans, informing the first targeted public health control measures that can prevent infections that can cause life-changing disability and hardship.

Winner

The Parkville hospital disability identifier project

The Royal Melbourne Hospital
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Children's Hospital
Austin Health

Parkville's Disability Identifier electronic questionnaire was co-designed by individuals with lived experience and their carers. It provides health services a way to hear the voice of consumers with disability on admission or referral, enabling a person-centred care experience. Formal evaluation has revealed strong acceptability of the tool from consumers and clinicians. At each Parkville precinct hospital, consumers with disability can proactively identify, ensuring care teams understand their adjustment requirements, which strengthens data for policy and clinical practice to improve outcomes for patients with disability. This work is already informing clinical practice in disability identification and care in Victoria.

Finalists

Implementation of the Monash Health Service Excellence Standards

Monash Health

The Monash Health Service Excellence Standards are 10 simple behaviours that show consumers how much their healthcare providers care about them and view them as partners in their care. A co-design approach with employees and consumers ensured the Standards have resonated with our community, making them meaningful and actionable by all. The Standards are visible so consumers know what to expect at every interaction, and they feel supported to play an active role in their healthcare journey. The Standards have already been shared with peers across health services and at international forums.

Ensuring every patient's feedback matters, to everyone at Peter Mac

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

To better provide person-centred care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre made an organisation-wide change to improve communication with patients, families and carers. The Your Thoughts Matter communication training program was designed by Deakin University's Centre for Organisational Change in Person-Centred Healthcare and aims to improve the patient experience and build the confidence, knowledge, and communication skills of staff. The key tenet is consistent delivery of communication at every patient encounter, by every staff member. The program also empowers patients to share their thoughts on 'what matters to them' and shift the focus away from 'what is the matter with them.'

Peter Mac Supporting Carers Strategy and Carer Support Program

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

The Peter Mac Supporting Carers Strategy and Carer Support Program were co-designed with consumers to align with the Victorian Carer Strategy, which increases recognition, inclusion, and support services for carers. The program provides accessible one-on-one support to navigate cancer services and to access wellbeing services. Peter Mac's Carer Support Officer works with carers to identify their needs, develop a wellbeing plan and connect with appropriate internal and community support services. This is supplemented by a clinical psychologist who provides accessible psychology services and a Carer's Peer Support Group, providing a safe space for carers to connect and share their experiences.

Winner

Barwon Health Paediatric Eating Disorders HITH

Barwon Health

Barwon Health has developed an innovative and novel program to care for young people with eating disorders, enabling them to receive high-quality, inpatient-level care in their home. Skilled visiting nurses, with oversight by a paediatrician and dietitian, conduct twice daily visits providing meal support, medical monitoring and family support and education. This Hospital in the Home (HITH) program benefits the young person and their family, mitigating risks and harms of inpatient care. The multidisciplinary service provides accessible and safe care in the home setting with equivalent clinical outcomes to inpatient care at a lower overall cost to the health system.

Finalists

Regional Reach: Paediatric Cancer Care initiative

Albury Wodonga Health

The AWH Paediatric Cancer Care Nurse Coordinator initiative aims to improve accessibility and continuity of care for children with cancer in regional Victoria. By offering local treatments, telehealth consultations, and coordinated support services, it reduces the need for families to travel long distances for specialised care.

Since its inception, the initiative has significantly reduced travel burdens, improved patient and family experiences, and enhanced staff skills. Collaborative partnerships, ongoing evaluation, and inclusive practices ensure its sustainability and scalability, marking a milestone in regional healthcare delivery.

Community Chronic Pain Care: Less Hospital Time, Better Health

Merri Health

Merri Health's Chronic Pain Service (CPS) is easing the burden of chronic pain by bringing care closer to home – particularly for CALD people. Free and delivered in a community health setting, CPS has supported 360+ patients since it started, and 117 in 2023 alone. It includes individual and group therapy and individually tailored, evidence-based support. 2023 data demonstrates it has improved health and wellbeing outcomes in 100% of patients including 100% had improved physical abilities, and 80% had a clinically significant improvement in depression. CPS also reduces hospital waitlist pressure, with a median wait time of 29 days, almost half the national average (56) for all services reporting across Australia.

Winner

Virtual healthcare – reducing the health sector's carbon footprint

Northern Health

Northern Health is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040. In order to achieve this, measured carbon emissions have reduced by 70 tonnes from 2022 to 2023.

Northern Health is also ranked number one in Victoria for energy efficiency in the built environment. Whilst they are excelling in environmental achievements in the built environment, Northern Health is also creating a future where virtual care models enable a healthier community. This work includes a range of innovative digital health programs that support our community and reduces environmental impact for a more sustainable future.

Finalists

Introducing reusable gowns and drapes at Peter Mac

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Theatre staff at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre have introduced reusable gowns and drapes for cancer surgery in a 2-stage pilot. Theatre staff have embraced the change with every survey respondent saying they would support the ongoing use of reusable linen.

If reusable gowns and drapes were used across all of Peter Mac's operating theatres, clinical waste would be reduced by 10,968kg, reducing emissions by 11,780kg CO₂e. The organisation would also save $23,000 in clinical waste disposal costs.

This environmental sustainability project contributes towards a net zero health system and will help Peter Mac achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Collaborating to facilitate transformational change in health service environmental sustainability

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Royal Melbourne Hospital
Royal Women's Hospital
University of Melbourne

The Health Service Environmental Sustainability Competition has empowered staff across Royal Melbourne Hospital, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Women's Hospital to design and deliver innovative solutions to reduce unnecessary testing, low quality care, carbon emissions and waste in their local areas.

Support and education provided through the University of Melbourne enabled these projects to deliver sustained carbon savings of 2.6 million kg of carbon, $800,000, 3,000kg of waste and kept 250,000 single-use items out of landfill. They look forward to expanding across Victoria and nationally.

Winner

After Hours Mental Health Nursing Service

healthAbility

The After Hours Mental Health Nursing Service (AHMHNS) supports people experiencing mild or moderate mental health issues such as anxiety, grief, stress or depression during hours when other services are limited. The AHMHNS reduces hospital emergency department demand in eastern Melbourne and improves mental health outcomes by providing timely after-hours support for mild to moderate mental health concerns.

The AHMHNS removes barriers to mental health care by providing free, timely and comprehensive support that doesn’t require an appointment, referral, or Medicare card, that can be accessed in-person, over the phone, by telehealth or email.

Finalists

Mercy Mental Health & Wellbeing Service Reducing Restrictive Interventions Initiative

Mercy Health

Mercy Mental Health & Wellbeing Service (MMH&WS) partnered with Safer Care Victoria on the 'Reducing Restrictive Interventions Collaborative (RRI)' to train and upskill Clare Moore Building staff, aiming for a 20% reduction in restrictive practices in the adult inpatient mental health unit by April 2024.

The RRI Collaborative led to a 66% reduction in seclusion episodes, a 50% reduction in consumers exposed to seclusion, and a 35% reduction in mechanical restraints.

This initiative reflects MMH&WS's commitment to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, promoting recovery practices and advocating for consumers' rights in mental health care.

Building Resilience via Advocacy, Counselling & Education (BRACE)

Odyssey House Victoria

Building Resilience via Advocacy, Counselling and Education (BRACE) is a structured, wrap-around school-based program aimed at increasing the protective factors preventing cumulative harm associated with youth substance misuse and mental ill-health, including but not limited to antisocial behaviour, school disengagement and youth offending. Targeting at-risk youth, families and school staff, BRACE leverages Odyssey House Victoria's (OHV's) expertise in working with young people, by combining multiple, evidence-based initiatives.

BRACE integrates into the existing school welfare system and enhances their capacity to better manage issues negatively impacting on student wellbeing, engagement and learning outcomes by providing access to specialist AOD supports on-site.

Ascending Wellness: A Tiered Approach to Mental Health Care

Western Health

The development of Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre (SMHWC) at Western Health facilitated the introduction of a contemporary model of care which was co-designed with consumers and families. This visionary model of care is the first in the state to provide a 3-tiered service model to ensure each consumer receives specialised care, tailored to their needs and stage of their recovery.

Results to date demonstrate a significant improvement in the care we are providing, with a 56% reduction in seclusion rates, a 20% decrease in code grey/code blacks and a 65% reduction in extended length of stay in ED.

Winner

Delivering Person Centred Care

Central Highlands Rural Health

Central Highlands Rural Health (CHRH) has rural hospitals in Kyneton and Daylesford, Residential Aged Care in Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick, and operates Community Aged Care services and Community Health services across the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires.

Enhancing person-centred care by implementing the Best Care for Older People project and 4Ms care (what Matters, Mind, Medication, Mobility) has made significant improvements in the dining experience, greater satisfaction with food, more residents participating in food choices and preparation, weight improvements, and a reduction in falls and injuries from falls.

Finalists

All aboard – from fire emergency to CruiseShip

Maryborough District Health Service

From adversity comes opportunity, and that is what happened during the fire evacuation of the Avoca residential community. MDHS utilised the skill of their workforce to its full capacity, while connecting and engaging with their residents to create a fun and holiday-like environment on the Maryborough Cruise, with the course of the ship directed by residents themselves.

Piloting a power shift through food

Western Health

The dietitian-led project at Western Health's Residential Aged Care facility, Grant Lodge, has sensitively engaged with residents and given them a voice in decision making to enhance their food and dining experience. Nutrition and Aged Care Quality standards were met including incorporation of resident choice, nutritional adequacy and safety.

There have been measurable improvements in nutrition and satisfaction outcomes for residents. This collaborative project has created a positive food and dining culture among residents, their relatives/carers and the Grant Lodge staff, and is an exemplar model for nutritional care in Victorian residential aged care facilities.

Winner

A Regional Approach to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery and Prehabilitation

West Metro Health Service Partnership:
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Western Health
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Melbourne Hospital

The West Metro Health Service Partnership launched the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery plus Prehabilitation (ERAS+) project to improve care for surgical patients. Through collaboration, they designed, implemented, and evaluated an innovative approach to improving the consistency and quality of surgical care across 5 hospitals.

Since its start in 2022, the project has helped over 800 patients, improving patient outcomes and experience and access to planned surgeries. Independent evaluation demonstrates cost-effectiveness of ERAS+, returning $2.62 for every dollar invested. Health services are integrating ERAS+ into regular practice, sharing learnings for wider adoption. Data and technology have ensured consistent, high-quality, patient-centred care.

Finalists

Back Pain in the Emergency Department: Transforming patient-centred care

Northern Health

BackTrAC transforms back pain management in the emergency department by leveraging digital health technologies. This patient-centred initiative, developed through a co-design process with diverse stakeholders, provides standardised education, early interventions, and continuous tracking of patient outcomes. The Digital Care Pathway includes animated resources and weekly outcome measures tailored to patients' needs, enhancing clinical care and reducing unnecessary ED visits.

Initially piloted at the Northern Health Emergency Department, BackTrAC has shown promising results, leading to further scaling state-wide. This innovative model sets a new standard for value-based healthcare and is poised for broader implementation.

Enhancing Patient Activation: Knowledge, Skills, Confidence in Cancer Care

Northern Health

Cancer care is increasingly complex with treatments delivered across multiple settings, from inpatient wards to patients' homes. There is increasing pressure on patients to take responsibility for the coordination of their care while also monitoring side effects. However, not everyone has the knowledge, skills and confidence to do so. Northern Health implemented the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) as a means of stratifying patients who need more support on their cancer journey. Administered via a multi-lingual digital pathway, PAM allows clinicians to tailor and personalise care to the needs of the individual, delivering the health outcomes that matter most.

Winner

Safer Birthing for Mothers, Newborns and Staff

Monash Health

Monash Health developed the operative vaginal birth safety bundle that included a safety culture transformation, multi-disciplinary team time out with a procedural and escalation checklist, real-time ultrasound, and postnatal patient and staff debriefing.

They saw a 92% reduction in babies born in unexpected positions with a 27% reduction in poor health outcomes, 88% of staff reported improved interdisciplinary communication, and 90% reported improved patient safety.

Maternity staff reported the development of a culture of safety based on the following themes: a sense of calm and clarity, team cohesiveness and respect, supporting situational awareness, enhanced training and education, involving the birthing family, and psychological safety.

Finalists

Medical Obstetrics At Home (MOAH): Providing Women-Centred Care at Home

Northern Health

The Medical Obstetrics at Home (MOAH) initiative is an Australian-first initiative that provides comprehensive specialist physician and midwifery care to pregnant and post-partum women at home. The core innovation lies in its ability to provide comprehensive medical care, including monitoring and treatment of hypertensive disorders and HG, in the comfort of patients' homes, thereby reducing the need for hospital admissions and enhancing patient satisfaction.

What began as a way to bridge the gap between hospital care and the silent struggle at home, MOAH is helping women maintain their normal lives while ensuring a healthier and more positive pregnancy journey.

POPPY: The Advanced Practice Physiotherapy Led Pessary Clinic

Western Health

The POPPY pessary clinic at Western Health is the first public health designated physiotherapy-led clinic in Australia. This innovative model of care has improved access to necessary regular review appointments for women who are managing pelvic organ prolapse +/- urinary incontinence with a vaginal pessary, and decreased the risk of pessary related complications.

Both key stakeholder staff and women using pessaries are highly satisfied with the care provided in the POPPY clinic and 90% of women have been managed without requiring medical escalation.

Winner

The Beautiful Shawl Project: A Community-led initiative that provides culturally safe and empowering breast screening experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women

BreastScreen Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (VACCHO)

The Beautiful Shawl Project is a collaborative, community-led initiative that provides culturally safe and empowering breast screening experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. The Project provides shawls to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women that are culturally appropriate, beautiful to wear and provide coverage during their breast screen. The shawls are designed by talented local Aboriginal women artists.

Since commencement in 2018, over 1,100 breast screens have been conducted for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women as part of the project. Twenty seven Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations or Aboriginal-led services have been involved.

Finalists

First Peoples' Social and Emotional Wellbeing

First Peoples' Health and Wellbeing

Working with First Nations people who are experiencing complex health, social and emotional wellbeing concerns is deep and complex work that takes a significant amount of time and deep trust. Many individuals will receive care and support for their entire lives. The care, compassion and willingness of the team to 'move at the pace of trust' with clients supports higher levels of engagement by clients in the therapeutic relationship; this is the foundation for the results that the service is achieving.

Integrating the social and emotional wellbeing service into a primary healthcare model is unique and critical to the health outcomes being achieved by patients.

Self-testing cervical cancer at local gathering place

Peninsula Health

Peninsula Health is partnering with local Aboriginal Gathering Places to provide cervical and bowel cancer screening in a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal women. Approximately one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women participate in cervical screening, meaning two-thirds do not or are unable to screen. Early detection is vital for treatment of cervical and bowel cancer, so to close the gap more Aboriginal women need to be screened.

Peninsula Health engaged a local artist to facilitate a class, which provided an ideal informal setting to support the self-determination of Aboriginal women to take charge of their health.

Winner

Increasing cervical screening – Public Cervix Announcement campaign

Cancer Council Victoria
Thorne Harbour Health

Cancer Council Victoria (CCV) is a non-profit cancer organisation dedicated to world-leading cancer research, prevention, and support to reduce the impact of cancer. Victoria's on track to be one of the first jurisdictions to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030.

ln 2023, CCV was funded by state government under the Victorian Cancer Screening Framework (VCSF) to deliver a campaign to promote cervical screening among eligible LGBTIQA+ Victorians. This campaign was delivered in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health (THH), Victoria's leading LGBTIQA+ community-controlled organisation. THH works to improve health outcomes for sex, sexuality and gender diverse communities and delivers community-driven health and wellbeing programs to reduce stigma and discrimination across Victoria.

Finalists

Virtual Sexual Health Collaborative Consults

Northern Health

Sunraysia Community Health Service

The Victorian Virtual Specialist Consults partnership with Sunraysia revolutionises healthcare delivery for LGBTIQA+ individuals in regional Victoria. By integrating video telehealth and centralised expertise with local face-to-face support, gaps are bridged and specialised care is delivered closer to home. Since commencing in July 2023, over 50 appointments have ensured the community has ongoing access to care that they would have otherwise missed. With ongoing mentorship and a focus on inclusivity, the initiative is changing healthcare accessibility and compassion for everyone.

What Works in HIV Prevention

Thorne Harbour Health

Thorne Harbour Health's campaign aims to improve health literacy levels and facilitate access to information about HIV for MSM born overseas and those who speak a language other than English. This cohort is overrepresented in HIV data but underrepresented in tailored HIV responses. By delivering tailored messages across multiple media platforms and modalities, the campaign features community members as advocates for HIV prevention, which helps to normalise HIV prevention, reduces stigma and promotes inclusivity.

The initiative has achieved significant engagement with high recall and changes in both cognition and behaviour. Despite a couple of challenges, the campaign's high standards in design and execution ensure broad accessibility and effectiveness.

Winner

DPVH Bicultural Worker Health Literacy program supporting health equity

DPV Health

DPV Health's Bicultural Worker Health Literacy program showcased service co-design with newly arrived refugee and asylum seeker community members living across Melbourne's north, with the primary aim of enhancing individual health literacy and health service navigation awareness, skills and confidence.

The program evaluation demonstrates significant success with all program objectives achieved (over target) and considerable benefits in individual health literacy levels, as well as enhanced cultural awareness and culturally responsive service delivery for health professional engaged through the program.

Program learnings have been incorporated into DPVH service planning processes to support the build and execution of future programs, services and communications in areas of co-design, refugee and asylum seeker support and more broadly support for multicultural communities. The ongoing improvements to DPVH's Refugee Health Service and increased engagement with the Arabic speaking community will improve overall community health literacy and access to health care services. Improved health literacy and understanding of how to access health care services will lead to significant cost savings for the health industry, and more importantly increase quality of life and health outcomes for local multicultural community members.

Finalists

Improving equity and access to breast screening for a growing multicultural population

BreastScreen Victoria

BreastScreen Victoria's Multicultural Project increases accessibility to breast screening for women from multicultural communities. A Bilingual Engagement Team engages with women in-language to provide a culturally appropriate and inclusive service. This includes engaging women who have never screened or are overdue for their routine screen through community outreach, and direct correspondence via in-language SMS and phone-calls to book appointments. Additional appointment support is offered via in-language group screening sessions.

Since 2021 over 3,500 multicultural women have booked an appointment directly via the project. Many shared they would not have had a breast screen if not engaged in their preferred language.

Speaking your language – giving our kids the best start in life

Western Health

Children thrive when they start life with healthy habits, like enjoying nutritious food and active play. Melbourne's West has diverse communities, and more babies born than anywhere in Victoria. In an Australian first, Western Health culturally adapted the INFANT program (Infant Feeding, Active play, and NutriTion) to reach Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Mandarin, and Vietnamese-speaking families. Western Health also upskilled bicultural workers to deliver INFANT, tripling numbers of trained facilitators. The goal is for INFANT to reach all 51,000 children aged 0-2 years in the West, saving $419 million in healthcare costs by avoiding diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Winner

Boosting our Healthcare Workforce Clinical Supervision Program

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

An innovative clinical supervision education and training program has helped boost student placements at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) following disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic that delayed student advancement and onsite training.

Part of the Victorian Government's Boosting Our Healthcare Workforce Program, the Boosting Clinical Supervision Capability Project helped increase clinical placement activity for a backlog of Nursing, Medicine and Allied Health students. It boosted workforce capacity and capability, enabling frontline clinical supervisors to gain formal qualifications to better support clinical training.

The program was led by SVHM in collaboration with University of Melbourne and Melbourne Academic Centre for Health.

Finalists

Career Pathway Program – HRO Explorers

Northern Health

The HRO Explorer program highlights Northern Health's investment in staff and commitment to a sustainable workforce. The 12-week program provides participants a unique opportunity to spend one day a week actively 'working' in a new division in the health service, distinct from their current area of practice. Forty-two staff members have participated since it began, with 14 securing secondments or permanent appointments within Northern Health.

The program encourages active learning in a supported environment with mentoring and networking opportunities. The program provides a unique opportunity to support workplace learning and enhance employee engagement, while building organisational capability.

The RMH Digital Coordination Centre

The Royal Melbourne Hospital

A Victorian-first, the Royal Melbourne Hospital's (RMH) Digital Coordination Centre (DCC) is a dedicated centre that co-locates operations experts who use real-time data to monitor and respond to issues that impact patient flow and care delivery. The implementation of the DCC has led to capability and capacity building of the workforce enabling an innovative and technologically advanced multidisciplinary team. This real-time information and situational awareness empowers staff to make informed decisions to ensure the right patients get the right care at the right time, at a time of increasing demand on the workforce.

Winner

Keeping Patients Safe with Enhanced Care

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre opened its innovative 6-bed Enhanced Care Unit (ECU) in 2023 to provide comprehensive monitoring and support for patients who would otherwise need to be transferred to Royal Melbourne Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Unit's highly skilled workforce provides a dedicated resuscitation and stabilisation area for deteriorating oncology patients.

Not only does the ECU impact positively on patient safety, outcomes and experience, it also improves bed access for Victorians to the adjacent Royal Melbourne Hospital Intensive Care Unit, leading to a reduction of surgery cancellations overall.

Finalists

Pre-hospital Video Assisted Secondary Triage

Ambulance Victoria

Ambulance Victoria's (AV) Secondary Triage Service provides a safety net for low-acuity Triple Zero (000) callers, through provision of secondary assessment with the aim of connecting patients to appropriate care. Traditionally, secondary triage is conducted via voice-only telephone call, however this does not always provide Triage Practitioners (TPs) with the optimal information for accurate patient assessment and appropriate allocation of resources.

The Video Assisted Triage (VAT) trial aimed to evaluate if innovative technology, in the form of video assessment capability, would enhance patient assessment to better connect them to the care that they need.

The trial identified that the integration of video assessment into conventional triage processes delivered significant improvements in patient experience and outcomes, while preserving ambulance resources to provide more timely emergency care to the Victorian public.

Monash Health Anticoagulation Stewardship Service

Monash Health

Monash Health has successfully implemented an innovative multidisciplinary Anticoagulation Stewardship Service. The team of haematologists and pharmacists aims to improve patient safety and outcomes in patients on high-risk anticoagulant medicines. The service has pioneered a novel electronic dashboard to proactively review all adult patients prescribed anticoagulant medicines in real-time.

Since its establishment in November 2022, 11,500 patients have been reviewed, with over 2,300 recommendations made to treating teams to optimise therapy. More than 300 patients were at high risk of complications such as bleeding if no changes were made to treatment.

Winner

I-HEART: a virtual regional heart failure service

Austin Health
Swan Hill District Health

Heart failure is a life-threatening disease of the heart with frequent hospitalisations and low survival rates. It is one of the most common causes of hospitalisation in the elderly. The aim of this partnership between Swan Hill District Health and Austin Health was to improve access to specialist heart failure services and facilitate care closer to home. The partnership co-developed several clinical decision tools to support patients during their hospitalisation, and a virtual clinic after discharge for follow up with heart failure specialists.

This partnership has kept people out of hospital and saved lives.

Finalists

Alfred Health and Bass Coast Health Clinical Collaborative Partnership

Alfred Health
Bass Coast Health

Since 2017, Alfred Health (AH) and Bass Coast Health (BCH) have developed and sustained a comprehensive partnership, delivering specialist healthcare services to patients across South Gippsland. The partnership covers 8 clinical services, including Medical Oncology, Cardiology and Surgery. Teams work together to build capacity and capability, ensuring equitable access to care for residents of Bass Coast and South Gippsland, closer to home.

Building on services developed since its inception, the partnership has since focused on cardiology service expansion to meet growing demand, medical oncology service expansion to provide coverage across the working week, and establishment of a Respiratory Medicine service.

VVED and Nurse on Call Partnership

Northern Health

Nurse-on-Call

Through a strong and strategic partnership, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) and Nurse-on-Call (NOC) have collaborated to support more patients receiving the care they need at home, avoiding unnecessary travel to and burden on physical emergency departments (ED).

Since August 2023, nearly 20,000 callers to NOC, who would have previously been advised to attend ED, have been redirected to the VVED and assessed from home. Over 80% of these have been successfully managed via video consult, reducing physical attendances at EDs across Victoria by over 16,000 presentations.

Winner

DPV Health: Creating a Healthier Connected Community

DPV Health's (DPVH) vision of a healthier and connected community with excellent care for all is supported by a thriving, client-centred organisational culture, a commitment to innovation and inclusive community relationships. It boasts a vast portfolio of primary care, community services, mental health, children's, disability and aged care support programs provided across the cities of Hume, Whittlesea and adjoining local government areas.

DPVH has a diverse, multi-lingual and highly engaged workforce with industry-leading attraction and retention rates, with 600+ employees and a growing volunteer-force. It has strong connections to the local diverse community through 83+ Community Advisors and many community partners.

As a community health provider with an annual revenue of $70 million, DPVH pursues organisational growth focused on expanding services in line with unmet community need.

Finalists

IPC Health

IPC Health differentiates itself by rapidly understanding and adaptively responding to the emerging health and wellbeing needs of some of the fastest growing communities in Australia. They achieve this by collaborating with partners and community to design and deliver tailored services for specific groups, particularly those having trouble accessing services.

IPC Health adopts a team care approach that doesn't just treat physical and mental health issues but responds to broader factors such as isolation, loneliness, financial stress, food insecurity, employment and accommodation. Their services focus on early intervention, prevention and empowering consumers to manage their own health and wellbeing.

Latrobe Community Health Service

Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS) is a not-for-profit health service that delivers integrated healthcare – for better health, better lifestyles, and strong and inclusive communities.

LCHS delivers more than 100 services across 56 sites in regional Victoria, Melbourne, Sydney, and Western Australia. Its services include General Practice (GP), nursing, palliative care, allied health, dental, counselling and psychology, gambling help, alcohol and drug treatment, family violence, NDIS local area coordination, headspace, aged care, and carer support.

As a for-purpose organisation, everything LCHS does is geared towards providing quality care, and improving the health and lives of people in the communities it serves.

Winner

Great Ocean Road Health

By taking a population approach to healthcare Great Ocean Road Health (GORH) is able to understand and involve their communities in their health and wellbeing.

GORH provides a one stop shop for healthcare and inclusion. Through all their linked services they make sure that if they are unable to provide what their consumers need on site, they can assist with virtual care and transport. Their neighbourhood houses are vital to supporting the needs of our communities.

GORH treats their consumers like family and provide an integrated approach to their healthcare needs, providing wrap around care for the vulnerable.

Finalists

Central Highlands Rural Health: Best care for every person, every time

Central Highlands Rural Health (CHRH) guiding purpose has always been 'Best care for every person, every time' and this year has been no exception. CHRH provides services to people living in the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn Shires, including hospitals in Kyneton, Creswick, and Daylesford, aged care facilities in Daylesford, Trentham, and Creswick, and community nursing and community health services throughout the region.

CHRH is dynamic and growing with robust leadership, strong clinical governance, strategic partnerships, and highly skilled staff.

Being fully accredited and responsive to changing community needs through evidence based and innovative programs, CHRH is a highly regarded service.

Terang & Mortlake Health Service: Exceptional Care Close to Home

Terang and Mortlake Health Service (TMHS) is a small, leading rural public health service in the Barwon South West region of the state. TMHS provides a wide range of high-quality health and wellbeing services to its community, while fast earning a broader reputation for outstanding results in clinical performance, management systems, staff satisfaction and consumer experience.

Across a range of respected survey and measurement programs, TMHS shines as an exemplary rural health service demonstrating reach and impact. Terang and Mortlake Health Service continues to excel in every key performance and practice measure. They acknowledge the individual and community contributions that have contributed to their leading health care service.

Winner

We Care @ Bass Coast Health

Bass Coast Health (BCH) is the sub-regional provider for Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires, serving a community of 80,000 with more than 3.4 million visitors annually. BCH comprises 1,400 fabulous staff, who serve in partnership with consumers and our community. The We Care values guide them to optimise the Wellbeing of consumers and staff; deliver Equitable care, lead with Compassion; be Accountable for what they do; Respect each other's differences; and aim for Excellence. Whilst they may not achieve this every time, they continually improve what they do, as 'we care'.

Finalists

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service: Keeps Pace with Rapid Regional Healthcare Growth

Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) exemplifies excellence in consumer-centred care and innovative community access. Through commitment to innovation, quality, integrity, communication and kindness BRHS sets a benchmark for the region. Dedicated staff prioritise an authentic consumer-centred approach, which ensures every person receives the highest quality care tailored to their preferences and needs.

The transformational engagement in digital health, continuous improvement, and community outreach enhances access for the regional and rural community. As Victoria looks to the future, this outstanding health service stands as a model of what is achievable when dedication, expertise, and innovation converge to create a healthier and empowered community.

Echuca Regional Health

Echuca Regional Health (ERH), on Yorta Yorta country in Echuca, serves 52,000 people across Victoria and New South Wales. Recent milestones in care include a co-design project with Yorta Yorta people to enhance cultural safety, resulting in plans for Reconciliation and resulting in improved Aboriginal care indicators.

Prioritising care closer to home has seen an increase in home-based care to 14% of admitted bed days (double the state average), and staff engagement and patient experience indicators continue to improve in a health service that is growing to meet the needs of the community.

Winner

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – or Peter Mac as it is known – is a globally-connected leader in cancer treatment, care, research and education. Now in its 75th year of providing specialist cancer care for the Victorian community, Peter Mac continues to break new ground and save lives.

Nearly everyone has a story about Peter Mac and its impact on their lives, or someone they know. Peter Mac's 4000-strong team of dedicated staff, including 750 researchers, are well known for their talent and commitment. Everyone is linked by a shared mission, and the values of compassion, excellence and innovation.

Finalists

Austin Health

Austin Health is proud to be a major provider of health care for a diverse community of over 340,000 people in Melbourne's north-east. Austin Health's purpose to help people live healthy, productive and fulfilled lives is at the heart of everything it achieves, and drives its passionate staff to deliver the very best in care for its patients. It delivers a number of statewide services, improving the lives of over 7,000,000 Victorians, made possible through its leadership, experience and collaborations across the sector.

St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne

Throughout the past year, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) simultaneously delivered essential business-as-usual services while innovating and collaborating to improve the health outcomes of Victorians.

SHVM responded to system-wide challenges to meet the changing needs of patients, workforce, healthcare system and community, and the expansion of SVHM's Rapid Access Hub, reduction of surgical waitlist and expansion of @home care, were central to this.

SVHM continued prioritising the health and wellbeing of vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, providing specialised care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people experiencing homelessness, prisoners, people experiencing mental health challenges, and people who use drugs.

Winner

Heywood Men's Shed supporting Heywood Rural Health

The Heywood Men's Shed have been nominated for their tireless contribution to Heywood Rural Health and the wider Heywood and district community. This team of volunteers have taken it upon themselves to truly integrate into the lives of their Aged Care Residents and community patients to contribute to their health and wellbeing, add meaning to their daily lives and make a difference to those around them.

Finalists

Palliative Care South East Volunteers

The community palliative care volunteer service at Palliative Care South East (PCSE) has profoundly impacted public healthcare in the City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey, and Cardinia Shire.

With over 50 dedicated volunteers contributing 1,880 hours annually, they provide invaluable support to those with terminal illnesses and their families. Services include biography writing, companionship, virtual reality experiences, and bereavement support, enhancing quality of life and reducing isolation.

By working closely with local health services, PCSE volunteers ensure seamless, compassionate care, helping to destigmatize palliative care and fostering a supportive community environment. Their efforts have touched the lives of 584 clients, offering comfort and dignity in their final days.

The CommunKnitty Crafters at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

The CommuKnitty Crafters are dedicated volunteers who create beautiful handmade items for patients at Peter Mac. A warm, beautiful blanket, a handmade beanie or beret can bring joy and comfort to individuals who are facing the challenges of a cancer journey. These items provide physical warmth but also a sense of dignity, individuality, and support during difficult times. The Crafter’s consideration for diverse needs, including blankets with special indigenous designs, demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity and care. It's wonderful to see how this initiative is providing practical support while also fostering a sense of belonging and connection within the community.

We celebrate these volunteers with 30 or more years of service and recognise their dedication to the healthcare sector and the people of Victoria.

• Harry Brindley, Charlton and District Ambulance Auxiliary
• Dr Gordon Campbell, Thorne Harbour Health
• Yvonne Dunt, Austin Health
• Una Faux, Grampians Health
• Pat King, Monash Health
• Posthumously honoured: Cynthia Knight, Grampians Health – Wimmera Base Hospital Ladies Auxiliary
• Colin Krycer OAM, Thorne Harbour Health
• Magda Lane, Palliative Care South East
• Garry Larmour, Charlton and District Ambulance Auxiliary
• Graeme Legge AM, Emerald and District Ambulance Auxiliary
• Paul Lovell, Grampians Health
• Sue Macgregor, Thorne Harbour Health
• Mary O’Brien, Mercy Palliative Care
• David Pollard, Charlton and District Ambulance Auxiliary
• Gordon Risk, Charlton and District Ambulance Auxiliary
• Marion Sparrow, Peninsula Health
• Terry Sparrow, Heywood Rural Health
• Hugh Stagg, Ambulance Victoria
• Anne Van Son, Palliative Care South East
• Claire Weaver, Austin Health
• Dominic Whitehouse, Thorne Harbour Health
• Betty Williams, Palliative Care South East