Cath Mott is viewed as a role model and significant resource by her colleagues and she is happy to share her nursing knowledge.
The General Manager of Clinical Services for the DHB, Dale Oliff says Cath Mott makes a huge contribution to the Children's Unit by supporting the staff there.
The Lakes DHB Midwife of the Year Award has gone to Eve Watson, from Maternity Services at Rotorua.
Eve is described as trustworthy, reliable and dependable, while demonstrating a high standard of clinical practice in the care that she provides to the women in the ante-natal period, through labour and the postpartum period of all women under care. Eve is passionate about providing women-centred, sensitive midwifery care to a high standard, and is able to relate to women and families of different cultures.
A considerable strength is Eve's work in the education and mentoring of midwifery students and new graduate midwives.
The Clinical Midwifery Educator Kathleen Smerdon has won the Cathy Cooney Nursing & Midwifery Leadership Award.
Kathleen has an innovative style of delivering education to her midwifery colleagues. She has increased the hands-on practice skills, encouraged team work, and improved communication, leading by example and evidenced-based practice.
Kathleen has a passion for her role and her ability to share information and education add create a collegial atmosphere contribute to make her a great leader.
Clinical Nurse Manager (CNM for Ambulatory, Kelly Thompson and CNM for SCBU, Jacqui Koberstein were highly commended in this category.
Rita Cook is the Health Care Assistant of the Year Award winner.
As a healthcare assistant based in the Emergency Department, Rita has a strong work ethic coupled with a quiet, kind and respectful manner and she shows high regard for both patient dignity and privacy.
Rita can be relied on to give support to others when needed but never oversteps the boundaries. She does not hesitate to step forward when asked to assist in sourcing medical equipment or to sit with an anxious patient or family member.
Deborah Graham and Janet France-Goss from the Children's Assessment Centre won the award for Best Nursing/Midwifery Innovation.
These nurses are a credit to their unit with their energy, expertise, tenacity and determination.
After a decade of wanting an assessment centre for children, and following two unsuccessful trials, these two nurses took up the challenge in 2012 and last year, the centre was up and running.
They have done an amazing amount to prepare protocols, arrange the purchase of equipment, and look at a range of other changes needed to get the Children's Assessment Unit up and running.
The two were careful to involve the whole team know with a series of information and presentations to get everyone excited about the new service.
The Rotorua Area Primary Health Services LINC team was highly commended in this category.
Tabitha Klein from the Murupara Medical Centre has won this year's Nurse Entry to Practice New Graduate Award.
Tabitha epitomises all that a new graduate nurse should be. As part of her first year of new graduate nurse practice, she has successfully completed a post graduate paper clinical practice development .
She has also successfully completed a number of practice specific courses. Of particular note is becoming a PRIME Practitioner which means she is qualified to attend medical emergencies and administer appropriate emergency drugs, along with the ability to perform emergency medical procedures without supervision.
Tabitha attends remote rural satellite clinics in the Urewera National Park where she assists the GP to work through the heavy patient load.
She remains committed to meeting her DHB targets and continuing with her professional development and is a valued member of the GP practice team.
Katrina Maaka , Te Runanga o Ngati Pikiao Trust has won the individual award for Best Maori Development.
Katrina is patient-focussed, understands her community and is aware of the social issues many of her patients face. She ensures they receive the appropriate support and is prepared to do what is needed to help achieve positive outcomes for her client mother and baby.
Katrina works with kohanga reo and whanau and is always advocating for their needs and her efforts are valued by the midwifery community and maternity services within the Rotorua area.
Katrina is significantly involved in helping to achieve 100% immunisation targets. She successfully engages priority women with an appropriate LMC and supports these same women to stay engaged and connected to the services they require. Her ability to effectively engage with whanau has been noted by all, who recognise that it is her love of her community that drives her to deliver a great nursing service to her mothers and their whanau.
Jo Toma and Toni Postlewaite , from Awhi Midwives, Turangi won the team award for Best Maori Development.
Jo Toma and Toni Postlewaite provide an integrated, co-ordinated service that effectively targets Maori women in the Turangi community.
The Awhi Midwives' service includes a single consistent, joined-up network of co-ordinated health and social services for pregnant women, children up to six years and their whanau. The service provided is 24 hours a day seven days a week, if necessary and has a specific focus on achieving health equity and health gains for Maori in the Turangi area.
The vision for Awhi Midwives is "Growing health communities one family at a time because every family matters". The team shows love and care towards their women in a non-judgemental manner, with a welcoming service that offers a positive experience for their clients.
The Turangi area has a high level of deprivation, high drug use and rates of family violence. The midwives put the needs of the pregnant women and mothers first and foremost in their practice, while meeting strict standards and professional requirements.
