Western Sydney LHD takes out three categories at NSW Health Awards
Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has taken out three categories at the annual NSW Health Awards, held on Thursday night at Sydney Olympic Park.
WSLHD received the Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services award for its innovative service delivery model MHATT – a collaboration with NSW Ambulance, which aimed to provide the most appropriate care for mental health patients and minimise inappropriate emergency department (ED) presentations via the triple-0 dispatch system.
Westmead Hospital’s Not Another DVT in the ED won the Patient Safety First category. The project improved the way acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was treated at Westmead Hospital’s ED. The result was a 60 per cent increase in appropriate investigation, treatment and referral. It also meant fewer complications for patients and less stress.
WSLHD also took out the Delivering Integrated Care category for the community eye care in western Sydney project. This was a partnership with local optometrists that allowed WSLHD to reduce the need for hospital appointments by 47 per cent.
WSLHD chief executive Danny O’Connor congratulated the winners and finalists.
“I am thrilled to see our staff recognised for their contributions to innovations in healthcare in western Sydney,” he said.
“I want to congratulate the winners and finalists – the winning projects all have one goal in mind, and that’s to improve patient care, which is at the heart of everything we do.”
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard congratulated the entrants for their creativity, innovative thinking and dedication to their jobs.
“We are extremely fortunate to have a health system that is simply brimming with motivated, inspirational professionals who are all striving towards delivering even better health care to NSW patients,” Mr Hazzard said.
The awards were announced as part of the NSW Health Innovation Symposium.
Westmead Hospital’s Rethink Your Drink program, aimed at removing sugary drinks from vending machines and food outlets, was a finalist at the awards.
