NSW issues awards in nursing and midwifery

Promoting the next generation of nurses is essential in Australia, especially as aged care facilities will require a substantial number of new staff following growth over the next few decades.

High quality care needs to become a focus of all states in the next few years, and NSW would appear to be taking the lead here with the announcement of new nursing and midwifery awards.

At an event earlier in September, Health Minister Jillian Skinner presented awards for outstanding contribution to NSW health care at a ceremony that took place in Parliament House.

She explained that few other professions are more valued within the wider community, and this is especially true given the range of care they often provide.

"Our nurses and midwives deliver high quality care at our hospitals, in the community and the home," Mrs Skinner said.

"They make an enormous difference to the lives of their patients and their patients' loved ones, not just through their clinical skill but their compassionate and good-natured devotion to their duties."

A number of nurses were congratulated at the ceremony, with 11 award winners and 22 finalists chosen from over 150 nominees.

Australia, and not just NSW, is going to need a substantial number of new nurses over the next few decades as aged care facilities and hospitals grow. These residents will depend upon a high level of care, one that can only be provided by skilled staff.

Currently, over 5,600 people are admitted into hospitals within NSW alone every day, equating to around two million people every year.

"Our nurses and midwives deliver care to all, without the expectation of awards and honours, but this annual awards ceremony is highly valued nonetheless," Mrs Skinner explained.

The total workforce of nurses now exceeds 48,000 within the eastern state, with 4,600 extra nurses introduced in less than four years. These are carers that will prove invaluable through the next few decades as the medical needs of Australian evolve.

"Our nurses and midwives deliver care to all, without the expectation of awards and honours, but this annual awards ceremony is highly valued nonetheless."

NSW would certainly appear to be on the best path to future preparedness, and ready to handle changes to both the aged care and medical sectors.

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