Media Release dt 21/07/2023
The best of healthcare: Australian Patients Association’s
Patients Awards Night
The Australian Patients Association (APA), a patient information, support and advocacy organisation, held its Sixth Annual Patients Awards Night yesterday, Thursday 20th July, at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. The Gala dinner was attended by more than 200 people.
The Patients Awards Night recognises excellence in the healthcare sector and the contribution of doctors, pharmacists, patient advocates, health reporters, innovators and hospitals that form an integral part of the healthcare sector. It also honours the best patient campaign run during the year, and highlights the important role of Patient Advocacy & Support organisations throughout Australia.
Special guest speaker, Judi Adams AO, who is a pancreatic cancer patient, spoke about her journey. She emphasised the importance of patient involvement at every stage of the journey in making informed choices, and decisions.
Dr Nick Coatsworth, APA Ambassador for Health Reform said “The APA awards recognise individuals and organisations who have kept the patient at the core of their work. It’s been wonderful to see more than two thousand nominations from around the country, showing that despite of the challenges our health system faces, there are so many people and organisations that maintain a commitment to excellence in patient care. Making positive change in the healthcare system is not just about fixing problems – it’s also about recognising excellence, as a demonstration of what can be achieved and providing a guide, from the patients’ perspective, of what excellence in healthcare is really all about.”
APA was pleased to introduce the ‘Most Outstanding Patient Advocate’ award this year to honour a person who has done outstanding work supporting and advocating for patients as they navigate patients through the healthcare system.
Congratulations to all the nominees, and of course to our award winners in the following categories:
- Most Outstanding GP – Dr Helen Caulton, Canberra
- Most Outstanding Community Pharmacist – Mr Jason Sammut, Noosa Heads, NSW
- Most Outstanding Health Reporter – Paul Cross, BioPharma Dispatch
- Most Outstanding Patient Advocate – Shellie Braverman, VMIAC
- Most Outstanding Campaign – See through the Haze
- Most Outstanding Innovation – The IV Passport, Prof Amanda Ullman, QLD
- Most Outstanding Hospital – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville SA
Please click here to access the event photos.
-Ends –
The APA is the voice of and for Australian patients. We provide support, and information to patients, and advocate on their behalf to make positive change in the healthcare system. Hearing the patients voice and their lived experience is what drives our agenda, including campaigns and lobbying activity.
For further information contact: David Clarke, CEO APA on 0416 156 923
email dclarke@patients.org.au