Inaugural healthcare awards promote working as one

Liz Inch.

Northland District Health Board is hosting the inaugural Northland Health Sector awards.

Tomorrow's event, Working As One/Kotahitanga, showcases innovation, quality and integration in healthcare across Te Tai Tokerau over the last two years.

Northern District Health Board spokeswoman Liz Inch said the awards were special for the region's health sector.

"Working As One is a key theme of the Northland Health Services Plan - our blueprint of actions aimed at reducing the inequalities between Maori and non-Maori."

There are more than 20 awards in four categories: the Published Authors and Oral/Poster Presenters, the Matariki Hauora Maori Awards, the Quality Improvement Directorate Patient Quality & Safety Awards and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Awards. The key note speaker is intensive care specialist Dr David Galler.

NDHB Chief Executive Dr Nick Chamberlain said the award from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons was being presented for the first time in New Zealand.

Northland surgeons Gerry Gathercole and Peter Milsom are being recognised for outstanding service with their dedication and commitment to the Te Tai Tokerau community.

"It is an honour that Mr Milsom and Mr Gathercole are acknowledged as surgeons who have shown commitment in so many ways for so many years to the people of Northland," Dr Chamberlain said.

The invitation-only event is at the Northland Events Centre.