The West Coast District Health Board is running the Excellence and Innovation Health Awards, this year in association with the ACC, and is seeking nominations.
This is a chance for locals to acknowledge those organisations and individuals that have made a contribution to improving the health of West Coasters this year.
Awards are open to schools, health organisations, not for profit and volunteer groups and anyone else who believes that they have made a commitment to health in the region.
Finalists in 2007 included Runanga School, Te Rito Family Violence Networks, PACT Group, West Coast Stroke Support, the West Coast Primary Health Organisation and the West Coast District Health Board.
Two of the last year's West Coast finalists have made it through to the final of the national awards. The West Coast District Health Board's "Alternative Pathways for New Patients - Colonoscopy and Cataract," and the Primary Health Organisation PHO's "Services to Improve Access with a Kaiawhina Māori Navigator in Buller" are in the running against eighteen other projects from throughout New Zealand. Winners of those New Zealand Health Innovation Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Wellington on 4 November.
"From nearly 130 entries, to have two finalists representing healthcare on the West Coast is a fantastic achievement", commented Wayne Turp, the District Health Board's General Manager of Planning and Funding.
The DHB has already received a number of exciting nominations for the 2008 awards and further entries are welcomed until 5.00pm on Friday 10th October. Entry forms and more information are available from reception at Grey Base Hospital, Greymouth Medical Centre, Hokitika Health Centre, Buller Health Medical Centre or Reefton Medical Centre.
For more information you can either call Planning and Funding Administrator Emma on (03) 769-7400, or contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email: