Western Australia Minister for Health Kim Hames

Call for Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award nominations

Victor P Taffa

West Australians have the chance to have their favourite nurse or midwife recognised as among the State’s best.

Health Minister Kim Hames today used International Nurses’ Day to call for nominations for the 2010 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

Dr Hames said the awards were an important opportunity for co-workers, patients and members of the public to acknowledge a nurse or midwife who went above and beyond in their daily duties.

“Western Australia’s 35,000 nurses and midwives are among the best in the world and these awards were a way of recognising the hard work and dedication nurses and midwives displayed every day.” the Minister said.

“To recognise their achievements and to encourage excellence in health care, I urge all members of the public to consider nominating an outstanding nurse or midwife.”

“I am proud the State Government has recently taken carriage of these prestigious awards, which are open to all nurses and midwives working in public, private or Commonwealth health services within our State.”

“2010 is also International Year of the Nurse and this year we are expecting a record number of nominations in a wide variety of categories.”

Community members have the opportunity to nominate an exceptional individual or group of nurses and midwives for the Consumer Appreciation Award.

The inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award is open for nominations for nurses or midwives who have made a significant difference to the nursing or midwifery professions and the community during their career.

Last year’s Nurse of the Year Marie Slater said the award had been a great personal honour and a great achievement for her hospital. The awards acknowledged the work done by nurses and midwives.

The Minister will be among the guests when the winners are announced at the gala event to be held on October 9 at the Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Nominations for the 2010 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards close at 4pm Wednesday, June 23.

For more information and nomination forms go to http://www.nursing.health.wa.gov.au/home/award.cfm