DPV Health and Northern Health are finalists in multiple categories at this year’s Victorian Public Healthcare Awards, which recognises outstanding contributions to the healthcare system.
The awards celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of healthcare workers, public workers, public health services and health volunteers across the state.
DPV Health is nominated in three categories – premier primary health care service of the year, partnering with consumers to improve patient experience and excellence in culturally diverse health.
The not-for-profit organisation in Melbourne’s north provides a range of community health and wellbeing services, with 20 sites spread across the Hume and Whittlesea municipalities.
Working towards its vision of a healthier and connected community with excellent care for all, DPV Health has worked closely with community members with lived mental health experiences to design and produce an inaugural mental health model.
DPV health chief clinical governance and experience officer Sophie Gilmour said the nominations mirrored the health service’s commitment to excellent care for all.
“The awards provide DPV Health with an opportunity to celebrate the support provided to our communities, in partnership with our communities,” she said.
“All the nominations reflect DPV Health’s commitment to a healthier and connected community with excellent care for all.”
This year, of seven nominations, Northern Health at Epping was named finalists in three of the categories – celebrating innovation in healthcare, excellence in Aboriginal healthcare and wellbeing and health volunteer/team of the year.
Across its categories, Northern Health’s dedicated paediatric service, that is part of the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department, was also recognised for celebrating innovation in healthcare.
The statewide service staffed by paediatric doctors and nurses, arose from the growing number of children being seen via the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.
Under the health volunteer/team of the year, Northern Health nominated Busy Fingers Auxiliary, who has been in operation for 50 years and is dedicated to raising funds for Northern Health’s Bundoora Centre.
The auxiliary was started by a group of women who attended morning tea at the home of the mayor of Preston, and were passionate about making a difference to the community.
A Northern Health spokesperson said the health service was thrilled to be among the finalists of this year’s Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.
“The three finalists are a sample of the amazing programs we have at Northern Health,” they said.
“Our teams work together collaboratively and are driven by the vision of providing accessible, high quality and culturally safe health care to the residents of the growing Northern Catchment, close to their home.
“To have three of our programs recognised at this level is extremely rewarding for everyone at Northern Health.”
Winners will be announced at the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards Gala Night on November 16.
