Health excellence at Chief Minister's Awards
The 2024 Chief Minister's Awards acknowledged individuals and teams that have made a positive difference to the Public Sector and Northern Territory community.
There is so much great work being undertaken across NT Health and these outstanding efforts were recognised at the awards. Congratulations to the brilliant NT Health staff and teams that were acknowledged as winners and finalists for providing high quality and compassionate healthcare.
Award winners
Renal Physiotherapy Service - Excellence in Customer Focused Workplace Practices and Service Delivery
Renal physiotherapy team: Jeremy Bottega, Jonathon Pearce, and Phoebe Lynch-Grant.
The Renal Physiotherapy Service's pilot program at Royal Darwin Hospital and the renal satellite clinics across Darwin offered a dedicated physio service to patients on dialysis. The physiotherapy program played a crucial role in the multidisciplinary management of patients with Chronic Kidney Disease by addressing physical impairments, promoting functional independence, optimising cardiovascular health, managing pain, and improving psychosocial well-being.
The program resulted in increased assessments and care with 300 to 350 inpatients each month and 570 outpatient reviews, a service not previously available. The pilot program received overwhelming support from clinicians and stakeholders and was extremely effective in reducing the number of long-stay patients and improving day-today patient flow.
Alice Springs Hospital Safety and Quality Team - Excellence in Human Services Delivery
ASH team pictured: Donna Lemon, Josie Curr, and Justine Swan-Castine.
The Holistic Care of Central Australians project improved customer-focused workplace practices, workplace culture and service delivery.
It also had many positive impacts on patient care through implementing morning huddle meetings while a strategic review of the hospital footprint facilitated an increase in available beds. Admission rates increased by about 50 per cent, which meant that patients were attending the Emergency department for the right reasons. Development of the Hospital Resource Coordination Unit improved staff allocation and resourcing and reduced overtime hours.
Despite there being a 3.8 per cent increase in hospital admissions this year, absences for elective surgery appointments reduced by about 23 per cent, and the average wait time to be seen by a doctor reduced by 18 per cent.
The project also focused on enhancing cultural services, with Aboriginal Liaison Officer's stationed on each ward of the hospital as part of integrated teams. Co-location of the Patient Assisted Travel Scheme with Aboriginal Liaison Officers improved discharge times while development of a fruit orchard and bush medicine garden supported community nutrition and increased food security.
Special mention: The Birthing on Country with Privately Practicing Midwives project
The Birthing on Country with Privately Practicing Midwives project was a finalist in the Excellence in Cross-Government Collaboration and Partnerships category.
The project involved a successful multiagency partnership between NT Health, Charles Darwin University (CDU), Alice Springs Hospital (ASH), Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC) and My Midwives to successfully implement a Birthing on Country maternity service in Alice Springs.
The model supported and developed the midwifery and First Nations workforce with four times the amount of Privately Practising Midwives now working in the NT. The wellbeing of First Nations women improved through the prevention of illness, evidenced by a reduction in the caesarean section rate by 16 per cent and a reduction in the pre-term birth rate by 4.2 per cent.
There project included co-design across agencies, and with consumers to achieve high quality health care that reflected community needs. There is now increased access and choice for Aboriginal women in Central Australia to best practice maternity care.
Medal Recipients
Dr Sarah Goddard – Director Medical Services, Barkly Primary and Public Health
Dr Sarah Goddard is a proud Katetye woman from the Barkly region who has inspired her community through her commitment to improving health outcomes in rural and remote areas.
Sarah started her journey with the NT Public Sector in 2011 when she joined NT Health through the National Indigenous Cadetship Program as a Medical Administration Officer at Tennant Creek Hospital. Sarah progressed through the ranks of the health service and is now a Senior Rural Generalist Doctor at Tennant Creek Hospital.
Sarah's career is motivated by her childhood and mother, and she is well known for her resilience amongst her colleagues and community. Sarah speaks often and openly about wanting to be doctor from a very young age due to her mother being very sick with kidney failure and growing up in many ICU departments.
Sarah has been the recipient of many accolades for her work in addressing chronic disease and improving community health.
Dr Yuejen Zhao
Dr Zhao is the principal health economist in the Health Statistics and Informatics team with outstanding skills in epidemiology, demography, biostatistics, and predictive modelling.
His expertise in biostatistical modelling led to the development of prediction models to estimate COVID-19 admissions to NT hospitals during the pandemic.
Considered a trailblazer in his field, Dr Zhao's work has been able to assist with policymakers making key decisions.
50 years of service
Dana Dabrowska
Dana's passion for nursing began as a small child after her father had an accident and had to frequently visit the hospital.
Dana moved to Darwin in 1965 and worked as a Registered Nurse in the Infant Health Clinics. Over the years her career evolved to Clinical Manager and Director of Nursing for Remote Health.
While Dana retired last year, her work in remote communities has left a lasting impact.
Basil Damaso
Basil was recognised for 50 years of service, having spent much of his career working for Fleet Management.
You can find more information on the Chief ministers awards website.