IHHC announces National Awards of Excellence Winners 2021

Each year the IHHC recognises the good work done by individuals and teams across our industry and publicly acknowledges them through our Awards for Excellence. 

The Awards are run at both a state and national level, with the state winners competing against each other to win the national title for each of our award categories. The National winners are normally announced at each year’s annual Conference, but due to the Covid-necessitated postponement of last year’s event, the National Winners for 2021 were held over.

However, now that we are once again on track to hold the Conference in November, the IHHC Board has decided to announce our 2021 National Winners. As always we extend our congratulations to our winners and our thanks to all those who took the time and trouble to send in nominations.

Nominations are opening shortly for the 2022 Awards, with the state winners to be decided upon in due course. Our 2022 state winners will then compete against each other for the National Award titles, to be announced at the Conference.

BRIGHTEST STAR AWARD

Our Brightest Star Award winner is the person that has displayed the most potential and has blossomed over the past 12 months in providing good care to patients/residents/clients, someone who has gone over and above the call of duty, who has shown examples in day to day work of treating people with respect and meets the values of the IHHC and their organisation.

Robyn works at Ocean Star, a 42 bed regional aged care facility, and is responsible for cleaning and laundry duties. She has a great ability to engage with residents during her daily work and inspire others. Robyn also volunteers to help plan and organise resident activities and events and motivates others to chip in and have fun. She always has the residents’ interests at heart and is much more than just a cleaner.

LEADERSHIP AWARD

This award is given for fostering a culture of excellence by prioritising the development of staff through innovative techniques such as safety, compliance improvement, budget and business improvement, management and leadership; and for empowering people through excellence in leadership, collaboration and team development.

David received the Award for his work at Fiona Stanley Hospital extending back over the past seven years. He has since moved on, but in that time he worked in various capacities – as sous chef for the opening of the hospital, then production kitchen manager overseeing a large cook/chill operation which provides 60,000 meals a month to patients across a wide range of specialty areas with a variety of therapeutic dietary needs. 

“As a leader you have a responsibility to collaborate and not forget you're there to support not just the patient but the clinical services team as well,” David says. “To be lucky enough to have like-minded people around you, as I’ve had, is certainly a blessing.”

VALUES IN ACTION AWARD FOR EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

This Award is for leading by example and demonstrating the IHHC’s values to create a positive workplace culture that enables and supports people to lead and deliver excellent patient-centred care and high quality services.

Coffee shop Coordinator Kylie consistently displays all the core values of St John of God, is always willing to listen and address concerns and is a true team player who ensures everyone is treated fairly. She takes pride in the coffee shop’s presentation and service and is often to be found organising something not on the menu to accommodate the wishes of a patient or the need of someone with a particular dietary requirement.

VALUES IN ACTION AWARD – HIGHLY COMMENDED

Nicole receives a High Commendation for the Values in Action Award as there was only a 1 point difference between her judging score and that of the Award winner.

Nicole’s nickname is “fantastic”, because no matter what situation or how bad the day may have gone, if you ask how she’s going that’s the word she will reply with – and mean it! Her positive attitude rubs off on the entire team, creating a great workplace culture and environment for all.

As a kidney transplant recipient, Nicole knows what it’s like to be “on the other side” as a patient and armed with this insight is able to provide the best care possible to STARS patients and make them feel loved and valued like family. She not only exemplifies STARS’ values but promotes them by openly displaying them in her work, showing respect and compassion for everyone.

“I'd like to thank my bosses and everyone that works here – we’re like one little family,” Nicole says.

PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Food Services team for Queensland’s first new ‘digital ready’ hospital STARS came on board in 2020 and were tasked with commissioning a contemporary, patient-centred, digital foodservice system to be ready for the hospital’s opening. The team gathered groups of experts, evidence from literature, expert opinion and consumer feedback to identify and implement the necessary patient-centred goals for STARS’ foodservice system.

STARS Manager of Dietetics and Foodservice Jennifer Ellick said of winning the Award: “Thank you on behalf of the whole team. It’s been a big thing opening a hospital and it’s amazing how we’ve come in the last 12 months or so. Thanks also to all our colleagues around Brisbane and at Statewide Food Services who have supported us.”