November 20, 2008

2008 Innovation and Excellence Awards Winners

Acting Chief Executive Joel George expressed his pleasure at the high quality of the projects submitted for the second year of the West Coast District Health Board's Innovation and Excellence Awards.

"I wish to commend all entries for their dedication towards the health of the people of the West Coast. All those who rely on health services appreciate the high standards demonstrated. It is only fair to recognise this outstanding work," Mr George said.

Graham Bashford, Director Operations, Accident Compensation Corporation, the co-sponsor of this year's awards spoke to an appreciative audience on the importance of innovation in healthcare.

ACC is also a co-sponsor of the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards. It was particularly pleasing to see two of last year's West Coast award winners make it through a rigorous process to become finalists in the prestigious national competition with last year's West Coast supreme winner "Alternative Pathways for New Patients" also winning the New Zealand Process Improvement Award.

Award Winners

• Winner, Early Intervention and Prevention

  West Coast PHO
  HEHA Breastfeeding Initiative
  Creating a supporting breastfeeding culture to promote improved long-term health outcomes

• Judges' Special Award

  Care and Craft Centre, Westport
  Recognising 25 years voluntary service to the elderly and disabled population of Westport

• Winner, Excellence in Treatment and Rehabilitation

  West Coast District Health Board
  Boys' Group and Adventure Therapy Camp
  Combining adventure and therapy to help boys aged between six and eleven to understand and manage their mental health challenges

• Winner, Healthy Schools

  Whataroa School
  Integrating Health into the School Ethos
  Integrating health and wellbeing messages into the school curriculum and ensuring that that these are part of everyday school life

• Winner, Process Improvement

  West Coast District Health Board
  Reportable Events Evaluation and Monitoring
  A robust and transparent systems approach to reviewing all incidents within the West Coast Mental Health Service

• Highly Commended, Process Improvement

  West Coast District Health Board
  Scholarships and Careers
  Attracting young students to health careers on the West Coast through the provision of scholarships, mentoring, contact with the health sector and holiday work in a health environment

• Supreme Winner

  West Coast District Health Board
  Reportable Events Evaluation and Monitoring

For more information please contact

Emma Smith
Planning and Funding
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone: (03) 769-0499, Extn 2452#
Email: