About
We are delighted to announce that the recipient of the 2024 CHA Team Medal of Distinction is Allied Health HNEKids at John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
The project has improved access to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children referred to ENT Outpatient Clinic with ear and hearing issues. Achievements include a 600% increase in eligible children seen, reduced median wait time from 636 to 122 days, and a significant reduction in non-attendance rates. The expanded age range now includes all children, with regular case conferences improving care coordination. Since April 2023, 260 patients have been seen, with 76 surgeries completed.
The project actively advocates for the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and families by addressing systemic barriers to ENT care and improving access to vital health services. By implementing onsite audiometry screenings and upskilling AHP and ENT nurses, it ensures that children receive timely, high-quality care close to home. The dramatic reduction in median wait times from 636 to 122 days and the 600% increase in eligible children seen demonstrate the project’s commitment to equitable healthcare access. Regular case conferences foster collaborative decision-making, ensuring comprehensive care plans tailored to individual needs. The project’s focus on early intervention and timely surgical interventions for ear and hearing issues significantly enhances the health outcomes and overall wellbeing of children. By prioritising culturally sensitive and accessible healthcare, the project supports families in navigating the healthcare system and advocates for the long-term health of the community.
We congratulate the team in their efforts to ensure the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are being supported.
The 2024 Team Medal of Distinction Nominees
CHA would also like to acknowledge the exceptional contributions to child health made by the following teams nominated for this award. These teams go above and beyond to create a positive impact on children and their families, serving as an inspiration to their peers and the entire CHA community. Congratulations, and thank you for your continued leadership.
Simulation Training on Resuscitation for Kids (STORK), Children’s Health Queensland
In recognition of the team’s outstanding contribution in establishing the largest national process for following up information identified through simulation and connecting it to system improvement.
Babycam, Townsville Hospital and Health Service
In recognition of the team’s outstanding contribution in addressing access inequities for families in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in North Queensland through the installation of Babycam.
MOB ED, Children’s Hospital Queensland
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and instrumental contribution in creating a culturally safe care pathway for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and their kin. .
Raising Immunisation of RSV, Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit
In recognition of the team’s outstanding contribution in significantly increasing RSV immunisation coverage among infants in Sunshine Coast birthing hospitals.
Seeing is Knowing: Video Guided Learning (VGL), John Hunter Children’s Hospital HNELHD
In recognition of the team’s outstanding leadership and delivery of the Video-guided Learning (VGL) project, positively impacting the quality and consistency of care delivered by healthcare professionals to consumers.
Queensland Paediatric Sepsis Program team, Children’s Health QLD
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and outstanding engagement with consumers and health professionals across all levels of the health system to reduce the burden of potentially preventable morbidity and mortality in Queensland children due to sepsis.
Neonatal intensive Care Unit, John Hunter Children’s Hospital HNELHD
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership of sustainability projects reducing environmental impact, carbon footprint and the subsequent health burden, leading to immediate gains in child health and equity, and building a foundation upon which generations of children can hope to thrive.
Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ) Green Team
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership of sustainability initiatives, directly impacting children and their families by protecting our local ecosystems, preserving our planet, and redirecting critical funds into healthcare.
CAHS Sepsis Working Group, Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS)
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership of the CAHS Sepsis Program in setting national benchmarks for sepsis care by developing and implementing novel, evidence-based practices.
CDAAC team, Manning Base Hospital
In recognition of the team’s commitment and exceptional leadership in developing assessment pathways to provide support and assessment of children with developmental delays in an area with no tertiary assessment support.
Departments of Refugee and Global Health and Kids Rehab, Perth Children’s Hospital
In recognition of the team’s commitment and development of the Refugee Health – Kids Rehab WA Rapid Assessment Pathway (RRAP) addressing cultural and system-wide gaps for children and young people from refugee-like backgrounds, providing innovative and equitable healthcare delivery.
Transfusion@Home, Women’s and Children’s Health Network
In recognition of the team’s pioneering approach and success in enhancing acute care for stable, transfusion-dependent children and young people through the Transfusion@Home program.
Navigating Care Clinic (NCC) – A registrar led paediatric health clinic, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
In recognition of the team’s exceptional commitment and leadership of the Navigating Care Clinic improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people under the guardianship of Child Safety.
The RCH Family Violence Team, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
In recognition of the team’s exceptional contribution in responding to the specific vulnerabilities and needs of children experiencing family violence and their families, and consistently improving practice in this area.
RCH Audiology Team, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne
In recognition of the team’s crucial role in managing the auditory health of over 6000 Victorian children focussing on patient–centred care, evidence-based practice, and timely access to hearing services.
Paediatric Eating Disorder Service, Grampians Health
In recognition of the team’s dedicated leadership and outstanding contribution in holistically addressing the physiological, psychological and social health components of children, young people and their families living with an eating disorder.
Dietetics and Food Services, Children’s Health Queensland (CHQ)
In recognition of the team’s ongoing commitment to improve children’s health through innovation and continuous quality improvement in foodservices.
e-PIMH (perinatal and infant mental health), Queensland Centre for Perinatal and Infant Mental Health
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution providing specialist advice and knowledge in supporting the social and emotional needs of infants, children, and parents-carers in the perinatal period.
WCH Foundation Cocoon Program, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, SA
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution in providing paediatric care to vulnerable infants under 12 months of age who have or who are at risk of medical or developmental complexities.
RCH Immigrant Health Team, The Royal Children’s Hospital
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution in providing holistic, family-centred and family-based care for refugee and asylum seeker children, positively shaping child refugee healthcare in Victoria and Australia.
The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Apheresis Service, The Royal Children’s Hospital
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution in providing high quality, evidence-based therapies within timely and family-centred care models, ensuring improved survival and quality of life of children and young people living with life-long, chronic, and acute life-threatening illnesses
The Women’s and Children’s Hospital Early Detection Clinic (EDC), Women’s and Children’s Health Network
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and outstanding contribution delivering expert and comprehensive early detection and diagnosis of cerebral palsy, dramatically improving health outcomes for children.
Department of General Paediatrics (DGP), CAHS- Perth Children’s Hospital
In recognition of exceptional CNS in-reach role empowering families through increasing knowledge of their child’s condition and enabling skills for ongoing management of their child/young person.
Kids Health Matter podcast production team, Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), WA
In recognition of the team’s exceptional leadership and commitment in providing trusted health and wellbeing advice, empowering consumers to make informed decisions to proactively manage their child’s health.
