A NURSE on the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 has been named the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service’s Nurse of the Year.
The Health Service is recognising is International Nurses Day today, which is celebrated globally on the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, May 12.
The team of this year’s international celebration is “Nurses: A Voice to Lead – A Vision for Future Healthcare.”
The occasion has been marked with the second annual CHHHS Nursing and Midwifery Awards, which were presented at Cairns Hospital, proudly sponsored by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
CHHHS executive director of nursing and midwifery Debra Cutler said for the first time in several years, the Health Service had recognised a Nurse of the Year.
“I am very happy to announce that Jo-Anne Campbell, a Clinical Nurse Consultant in our Infection Prevention Services, is our Nurse of the Year,” Ms Cutler said.
“Jo-Anne has played a leading role in the COVID-19 pandemic response. Her skills and knowledge have been regularly relied upon both locally and statewide.
“Whilst all areas of the organisation have been impacted by the pandemic, Jo-Anne and her small team have gone above and beyond to support the response.”
Ms Campbell also received an award for Excellence in Education and Training, after being nominated for her outstanding contribution to the implementation and education with regard to personal protective equipment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other award winners included:
Excellence in Clinical Practice – Romy Clark
Romy holds multiple roles across the emergency department, medical imaging and specialist clinics at Innisfail Hospital. Romy was nominated for outstanding professionalism, compassion and commitment to providing safe, quality care.
Excellence in Workforce – Lynda Ackroyd
Lynda is the acting Nurse Unit Manager for Respiratory Renal and Gastro Ward. Lynda has led the unit from the outset with a robust workforce risk mitigation strategy and safe work practices. This has provided a vital level of assurance that the CHHHS has a safe, well led and well governed model of inpatient COVID management.
Excellence in Research – Sue Richmond
Sue has been the cornerstone of the clinical trials unit, having been integral setting it up in 2000. Some of the innovative multi-site international trials Sue has advocated for have provided significant benefit to our local patients providing opportunity not usually available in a regional centre.
Ms Cutler said nurses and midwives made up more than half of the Health Service’s workforce, this was the one day of the year all of these health professionals needed to be recognised for their passion and dedication to patient care.
“As I reflect upon the challenges that COVID-19 has placed upon healthcare broadly and on our Health Service, it is with great pride that I recognise the leadership, advocacy, commitment, resilience and courage that nurses and midwives have demonstrated,” she said.
“They do all this, while continuing to provide safe and quality health care to our community.”
Each of the award winners has received flights and accommodation to attend the Australian College of Nursing, National Nursing and Midwifery Forum, which is being held in Canberra in August.
The overall winner has also received an additional $1000 prize.
All prizes are sponsored by the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.
Photo: Debra Cutler, Tony Williamson, Jo-Anne Campbell
