The innovative projects changing Darling Downs health sector

DARLING Downs Health has scooped the pool at this year's Queensland Health eAwards.

ACHIEVEMENT: Accepting their eAwards are Darling Downs Health staff members (from left) Rodney Nesbitt, Michelle Cleary, Tess Wootton, (front, kneeling) Dr Daniel Halliday, Sally Norton, Lorraine McMurtrie, Denise Pambid of Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN and Karen Johnson with judge Rupert Lee from the Australian Digital Health Agency.

DARLING Downs Health has scooped the pool at this year's Queensland Health eAwards.

The awards ceremony was held on Thursday morning in Brisbane, with two innovative Darling Downs Health projects named as winners.

The Advance Yarning App developed by Goondiwindi Hospital's Lorraine McMurtrie, in conjunction with reference groups, indigenous health workers and the hospital's Indigenous Advisory Working Group, won the overall eAward of the Year as well as the Collaborate and Connect category.

The Darling Downs HealthPathways project, developed in conjunction with the Darling Downs West Moreton PHN, won the Deliver Results category.

Chief Executive Dr Peter Gillies said he congratulated the teams involved for their award-winning and ground-breaking projects.

"Innovation is a core value for Darling Downs Health," Dr Gillies said.

"It is wonderful see our staff using their initiative and vision to create a better way of doing things.

"I've always known that we have great staff working for us, but it is wonderful to see their work being recognised at a state-wide level. Congratulations to everyone involved in creating these ground-breaking projects, and for today's recognition.

"It's an exciting time to be involved in health, especially in the Darling Downs."

Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN Chief Executive Officer Merrilyn Strohfeldt said he also congratulated Darling Downs Health for its success at this year's awards.

"A lot of time, passion and expertise has gone into developing the Darling Downs HealthPathways portal which will enable clinicians in the Darling Downs region to deliver better integrated care for their patients," Ms Strohfeldt said.

"Taking out the Deliver Results category speaks to the incredible work that has been done by the team and we are really proud to be a driving partner for the HealthPathways project."

There were more than 40 nominations for this year's awards, with Darling Downs Health winning two out of the three categories, as well as the overall award.

The Advanced Yarning App is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to encourage open conversations about their end of life wishes and palliative care.

The Darling Downs HealthPathways is an online platform for physicians with localised referral pathways and resources to ensure patients get the right care, in the right place and in the right time.

Originally published as The innovative projects changing Darling Downs health sector