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Chris Clarke HBDHB CEO, together with Telecom and GE Healthcare sponsor representatives, congratulate the winning team from Takapau Community Health Charitable Trust. Photo Howard Roberts

17 February 2006

Rural health provider takes top honours

Takapau Community Health Charitable Trust has taken out the top accolades at the inaugural Hawke's Bay Health Awards. Last night they won the award for service integration meeting health needs and went on to take out the top prize – Supreme Health Award 2006.

Says Chris Clarke, chief executive HBDHB “The Takapau Health Centre is an outstanding example of a community taking control of their health needs. They are very deserving winners and they and the Takapau, Norsewood and adjacent rural communities are to be congratulated.”

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, together with the Awards’ sponsors Telecom, Gen-i and GE Healthcare, announced the winners, drawn from a field of 18 finalists. The judging panel comprised Professor John Nacey, Dean Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tracey Richardson, health consumer and athlete and Lindsay Scott, Eastern Region Commissioner, Ministry of Social Development.

Says Professor Nacey “As a judging panel we were very impressed with the standard of finalists. The winning entries demonstrated strong leadership, planning, collaboration and an evidence–based approach to improving health outcomes.

“We were encouraged by the number of entries that showed promise, and I look forward to seeing these people re-enter the Awards when they can demonstrate success and sustainability.”

The Awards have been introduced to recognise outstanding innovation, quality and service initiatives that improve the health of people in Hawke’s Bay and the Chatham Islands. And adds Professor Nacey “ From what we have seen the people of this region should be immensely proud of the health professionals working in both the community and acute settings. They are doing some outstanding innovative and quality work to improve the health of their communities.”

ENDS

WINNER APPLIED RESEARCH TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES
Pip Rutherford, HBDHB
Our Sore Point - A five year study, 2001 – 2005, into prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers in Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

WINNER SERVICE INTEGRATION MEETING HEALTH NEEDS
Takapau Community Health Charitable Trust
A rural primary health care nurse - community partnership - The people of Takapau, Norsewood and adjacent rural communities have designed and developed a successful rural health service which is directly responsive to the moment and to the health of people in their everyday lives.

WINNER INNOVATION AND NEW INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Community Services Unit
The developmental assessment programme - Providing excellence in assessment for children with developmental and behavioural disabilities. The Developmental Assessment Programme provides multidisciplinary assessments for children aged between 0 – 18 suspected of having Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and / or Autistic Spectrum Disorder and their comorbidities.

WINNER SERVICE IMPROVEMENT TO ENHANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE
HBDHB Oral Health Service
Wairoa adolescent school dental programme - Driven from an identified need to provide an oral health service for adolescents in Wairoa this initiative demonstrates leadership, integration of service planning, management and collaboration across a range of health sectors.

Judges Special Recognition Award
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga
Oranga Niho A Whanau Oral Health Service - The oral health status of Maori in Hawke's Bay is poor. In 2001 they were entrusted with the a new Maori dental service pilot – Oranga Niho. From this seed has matured a quality, community owned service – a true taonga for the Hastings Maori community.

Judges Special Recognition Award
Te Whatuiapiti Trust : Te Waireka
Alcohol and other drug residential service for rangatahi / youth -Te Waireka offers a voluntary kaupapa Maori alcohol and other drug residential service for rangatahi / youth referred from the Central Region. The facility provides up to ten beds for rangatahi / youth of all cultures aged between 14 and 19 years of age.

SUPREME AWARD WINNER
Takapau Community Health Charitable Trust
A rural primary health care nurse - community partnership