Celebration of Gippsland primary health care

A FAMILY violence prevention initiative, a day respite service, a clinic to treat diabetes-related foot problems and a cultural awareness safety program have won the 2023 Gippsland Primary Health Awards.

Chief Executive Officer of Vic Health, Dr Sandro Demaio, announced the four winners from 16 awards finalists from across Gippsland who were celebrated at the Gippsland Primary Health Awards event on Wednesday, November 15, in Traralgon.

GippSport, Gippsland Women’s Health and the Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault won the Prevention category, South Gippsland Hospital the award for Populations, Latrobe Community Health Service and Latrobe Regional Health won the Health category and West Gippsland Healthcare Group the Service category.

Gippsland PHN Acting Chief Executive, Angela Jacob, congratulated the winners who each received a $2000 voucher.

“The awards showcase the amazing work of our primary care health professionals and organisations across the region,” Mrs Jacob said.

“This year’s theme was ‘Ask the Question’ and our 16 finalists all demonstrated that if you ask the right question the result is a powerful tool for driving health outcomes.

“They demonstrated how, by asking the right questions, they identified the need for their service or project, and then designed and delivered it to meet this need.”

The winners included: 

Populations – improving health and wellbeing of communities. South Gippsland Hospital – The hospital’s Day Respite Service was designed to help older, frail or isolated people to remain in their own home by providing support they need. With the aim of ensuring service flexibility for both consumers and carers, the hospital worked collaboratively with other organisations to provide this accessible and integrated service for South Gippsland.

Prevention – improving social and environmental factors of health. GippSport, Gippsland Women’s Health and the Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault – These organisations won the award for the Winter Orange Round which has been running across the region for nine years. They saw an opportunity for sports clubs in the region to take a stand for the prevention of family violence and with the support of Gippsland’s six local councils, five Prevention of Family Violence Networks and state sporting associations, the campaign was launched.

Health – improving outcomes for people experiencing ill health. Latrobe Community Health Service and Latrobe Regional Health: diabetes-related foot disease.