Palliative Care Tasmania is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Tasmanian Palliative Care Awards.
Her Excellency, the Honourable Professor Kate Warner Governor of Tasmania (virtually), The Honourable Sarah Courtney MP Minster for Health and Tasmanian Senator Catryna Bilyk joined finalists and invited guests for the announcement of the runner up and winner of each category in an online awards ceremony hosted by Colleen Johnstone CEO of Palliative Care Tasmania.
The Hon Sarah Courtney MP opened the Awards and reaffirmed her commitment and support to the Palliative Care sector and acknowledged the incredible finalists and their work.
“The Government wants to ensure that every Tasmanian has access to high quality care to support them to live and die well, no matter who they are where they live or what life limiting condition they have – we want to be able to support them.
“ Caring for those at the end of their life is an important and shared responsibility, and this is why we are committed to meeting palliative care needs of patients, carers and their and families throughout the last phases of life and into bereavement as well.”
Minister Courtney said that the Palliative Care Awards “are such an excellent way to celebrate and recognise the excellence of our clinicians, carers and organisations right across the palliative care sector and one of the things I personally find really uplifting is the strong collaborations and partnerships that are formed through these awards.”
Senator Catryna Bilyk echoed the Ministers sentiments and added “While there are many public services provided to improve the lives of Tasmanians, palliative care is the only sector that is dedicated to helping Tasmanians have a good death” she said.
“These awards acknowledge those in the palliative care sector who have stood out as exemplars of excellence and provide an example to others of what constitutes top quality palliative care.
I am particularly pleased that they acknowledge not just providers and professionals, but the substantial unpaid workforce—volunteers, carers, and advocates—on whom the sector also relies for its success” she said.
Outstanding Palliative Care Organisation (proudly supported by Millingtons)
Winner: Volunteer Support Service, Specialist Palliative Care Service – Northern Region – For their 30+ years of commitment, service and voluntary support to palliative care patients, their families and for their resilience in what has been a difficult year.
Runner Up: Uniting AgeWell, Aldersgate Kings Meadows – For making a positive contribution to the Northern Tasmania palliative care sector due to their commitment to improve palliative care delivery in the residential setting.
Outstanding Palliative Care Professional (proudly supported by Millingtons)
Winner: Anna Nicholas -Tasmanian Health Service, Royal Hobart Hospital- South – Currently working at the Royal Hobart Hospital as the Palliative Care: Clinical Nurse Consultant, Anna is always willing to share her vast knowledge and is a passionate advocate for palliative care which is reflected in the vast amount of positive feedback from her grateful patients, families and co-workers.
Runner Up: Judith Harris – Tasmanian Health Service, Specialist Palliative Care Service, North West – A palliative care nurse and now a Clinical Nurse Educator who has touched the lives of many people on the North West Coast.
Outstanding Palliative Care Volunteer/Carer (proudly supported by Carers Tasmania)
Winner: Erin Gunson from St Helens for her exceptional commitment to the care of her father for 5 years. Erin the first carer to win a Palliative Care Award.
Runner Up: Margot Walton – Specialist Palliative Care Service North – For 20+ years of service volunteering with the Palliative Care North Auxiliary
Outstanding Palliative Care Advocate (proudly supported by HESTA)
Winner: Palliative Care, North Auxiliary – This vital palliative care service has been in existence for 12 years. They are a small auxiliary of 11 members, who are all volunteers or surviving family members of people who have received support from the Volunteer Support Service and been cared for by the palliative care service. They fundraise share support and information & provide financial assistance to clients in financial hardship.
Runner Up: PEPA – Program of Experience in the Palliative Approach, Tasmania for their work across the state increasing capacity and knowledge of health care professionals.