Bernadette Wykes surprised with Chief Executive’s honour at 2021 Nursing & Midwifery Awards

13 May, 2021, 8:16 pm18 May, 2021, 4:01 pm Sarah Mason

**Operations Manager of the Westmead COVID-19 Vaccination Hub, Bernadette Wykes received the Chief Executive Award for Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery**

Eleven nursing and midwifery staff have been recognised for their dedication, commitment, leadership and talent as part of the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) celebrations for International Nurses Day and International Day of the Midwife.

WSLHD Chief Executive, Graeme Loy congratulated and thanked all nurses and midwives for the dedication and exceptional care they give to all of our patients every day.

“It’s been a huge year for us and our nursing and midwifery workforce is the backbone of everything we do. You’re all winners as far as I’m concerned,” Graeme said.

“You put your heart and soul into everything you do and come to work with a clear purpose of making the patient’s stay better and help them recover.”

Operations Manager of the Westmead COVID-19 Vaccination Hub, Bernadette Wykes received the Chief Executive Award for Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery for her leadership, skill development and capability building.

Bernadette managed the COVID-19 casual staffing pool and has played a pivotal role in establishing one of the first COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the state at Westmead Hospital – along with its ongoing operation.

Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, the winners were announced in a premiere event online – with Bernadette being surprised by Chief Executive Graeme Loy.

“It’s a privilege for this opportunity and I’m grateful to be acknowledged for something which is really a team effort,” said Bernadette, who has been in western Sydney since 2005.

“Our success is due to amazing leadership and executive support and a really great team.”

WSLHD Director of Nursing & Midwifery and Clinical Governance, Carol Farmer, said, over the past year the nurses and midwives have stepped up in the face of immense challenges keeping the hospitals and health and safety of western Sydney communities their main priority.

“The WSLHD Nursing and Midwifery Awards for 2021 showcase and celebrate the best of western Sydney’s nurses and midwives from across our health facilities”, Carol said.

“Over the past year, nurses and midwives have stepped up in the face of immense challenges to ensure our hospitals have kept running, they’ve helped keep the pandemic at bay, and they have ensured the health and safety of western Sydney residents – and our newest community members.

“We also pay special thanks to BUPA for their generous sponsorship of awards in the areas of Research, Clinical Care, Community Outreach and Innovation and Patient Safety in aged care or care of older people.”