Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) 2022 Awards — winners announced

The winners of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) 2022 Awards For Excellence were announced at a gala dinner in Adelaide on 4 April 2022.

APHA CEO Michael Roff said the high standard of entries for the awards reflected the great work being done in the private sector, which is constantly striving to improve services.

”These efforts are particularly noteworthy given COVID pressures that include surgery restrictions, staff shortages, increasing cost pressures and helping public hospitals and aged care with the pandemic response,” he said.

There was also an element of peer review in the judging — delegates at the APHA 39th National Congress voted on the winners following presentations from each finalist during the event. The delegates vote counted for 5% of the final score. Below are the winners:

Clinical Excellence:

Winner: Mt Wilga Private Hospital, Lymphoedema Rehabilitation Program

Synopsis: A multidisciplinary team approach to lymphoedema care that has resulted in reduced requirement for treatment sessions, increased skills across the nursing and exercise physiologist teams and increased communication with patients resulting in the service better meeting their care goals.

Finalists:

• Brisbane Waters Private Paediatric Jungle Safari Experience
• Sydney Adventist Hospital - Nutrition and Dietetics

Innovation:

Winner: South Pacific Private Hospital - Accreditation to Rainbow Tick Standards

Synopsis: South Pacific Private have implemented six LGBTQIA+ inclusive practice standards to achieve Rainbow Tick Standards in 2021. The hospital has ensured its Consumers and Carers Committee has LGBTQIA members to help shape its programs and has instituted extensive staff training and the appointment of a Cultural Safety Officer to ensure patient safety needs are met.

An external audit of staff and management confirmed that South Pacific Private has an open, positive and inclusive communication system. Staff spoke of their personal stories in relation to how they have felt welcomed, outlined their sense of safety and identified how the hospital has enabled this safety and supported their wellbeing.

Finalists:

• Royal Rehab Private Hospital - EksoNR (advanced robotics exoskeleton)
• Lingard Private Hospital - HealtheHeart

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