Announcing our 2025 WA Health Excellence Awards winners

WA Country Health Service was once again front and centre at the WA Health Excellence Awards, taking out awards in four of the 12 categories at last night’s ceremony. 

For the second year in a row, country health professionals have taken out the Minister for Health’s Award and the Excellence in Aboriginal Health Award, showcasing the ongoing commitment and dedication WACHS staff display to their country communities, day-in, day-out.

Emergency Nurse Practitioner Deanne Brooks, received the top gong at the ceremony - the Minister for Health’s Award - which recognises an individual who during their career has demonstrated an exceptional commitment toward safe, high quality, and accessible health services.

Deanne is well-known for jumping into action to lend her expertise in emergency situations both here and overseas, having taken up the role of mission lead for WA Medical Assistance Team  on Rottnest Island during the pandemic and even assisted in the repatriation of Australians from Wuhan, China. Deanne was also deployed to New Zealand to assist with the aftermath of Whakaari/White Island eruption.

A beacon of compassion with a strong sense of community, Deanne is truly a worthy recipient of this prestigious award. 

Congratulations also to the team behind the Kaya, Where You Going? project - winners for Excellence in Aboriginal Health.

Developed from a successful Pitch Your Pilot project, the promotional campaign aims to cut ‘Did Not Wait’ rates among Aboriginal people in South West emergency departments.

And once again, a key partnerships with a metropolitan health service provider has also taken out the category for Excellence in Safety and Quality – the Charm Oncology Management System Project.

Delivered in collaboration with South Metropolitan Health Service, Charm is a single electronic system for the prescribing, clinical checking, scheduling, and administration of chemotherapy at all eight country cancer treatment sites.

The Virtual Clinical Pharmacy Service took out this year’s Excellence in Rual and Remote Health Care Award, yet another example where country clinicians are leading the charge in the delivery of healthcare via cutting edge technology.

The service is improving patient safety and continuity of care in some of Australia’s most remote communities with pharmacist-led consultations delivered via telehealth, focusing on high-risk outpatient areas such as surgical pre-admission, day infusions and specialist clinics.