Finalists

Finalists have been selected from the submitted nominations in the following categories:

• Customer Service
• Innovation in Front Line Delivery
• Innovation Through Technology
• Regional Innovation
• Devolving Decision Making
• Leadership and Collaborative Practice
• Excellence in Delivery
• Infrastructure
• Sustainability
• Achievement by an Individual
• Annual Reports

Customer Service 

The award for customer service recognises innovative approaches, practices and solutions that achieve excellence in customer service for the community or individuals. The finalists are:

Housing NSW – Tenant Connect

Delivered by the Australian Red Cross and volunteers, this service calls registered tenants daily to make sure they are safe and well. The service reduces social isolation by linking tenants to support services and networks. In its first two years of operation it provided emergency assistance in 28 instances - potentially saving lives.

Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Justice Health and Corrective Services NSW – Care and Management of Pregnant Women in Custody

This collaborative project has brought antenatal care for pregnant women into the Emu Plains and Dillwynia Correctional Centres. Where previous inmates were required to travel to a hospital, this project has achieved better care for women in custody, by reducing the likelihood of complications and caesareans, and improving the uptake of breastfeeding.

Sydney & South West Sydney Local Health Districts – Demand Management Program

Aimed at equalising access to dental health across two health districts, this program addressed the imbalance between demand and supply for health services. By merging waiting lists and improving waiting times for dental services, this program standardised work practices and also improved recruitment and retention of staff in areas of high demand.

Office of State Revenue – Work and Development Orders

In a first for Australia, and one of the few examples in the world, this program provided by the State Debt Recovery Office enables vulnerable members of the community, who are issued with fines, to clear their debt by taking unpaid work, courses, or treatment with participating organisations and health practitioners.

Hunter New England Local Health District – Taking the Wait Out of Waiting Lists

The introduction of an effective waiting list management program has seen the wait for dental health services reduce from 19,000 in 2008 to about 7,000 today. Each year, over 31,000 patients with toothaches now get an appointment without having to wait.

Panel members:
Mr Michael Talbot(Convenor)	Assistant Director General, Courts and Tribunal Services Department of Attorney General and Justice
Dr Don Munro	Principal Project Officer, Performance Improvement and Review Department of Premier and Cabinet
Mr Peter Wells	Director of Regulatory Services Roads and Maritime Services

 

Innovation in Front Line Delivery 

Managers

The award for innovation in front line delivery by managers recognises excellence in management that empowers front line employees to innovate and take individual responsibility for achieving better service outcomes. The finalists are…

Hunter New England Local Health District – Workplace Based Assessment

The Centre for Medical Professional Development within Hunter New England Health became the first Australian site accredited by the Australian Medical Council to offer workplace based assessment for International Medical Graduates. This alternative to the Council’s clinical exam has combined accredited assessment with constructive feedback and changed the performance of clinicians.

Department of Health – State Cardiac Reperfusion Strategy

Heart attacks are a life threatening and time critical condition. By providing quicker access to an ECG, particular types of heart attack can be quickly identified, ensuring the patient receives appropriate treatment to reduce further damage to the heart. Bringing decision making systems to the patient means quicker access the time to potentially life saving treatment.

South Western Sydney Local Health District – Aged Care Day Hospital

Through combining existing outpatient aged care services, and introducing a raft of new services under the one roof, the Aged Care Day Hospital has provided a multi-disciplinary and coordinated approach to outpatient care. Clinicians have been given the freedom to develop new services to respond to the needs of the community, resulting in many new programs for the clients.

Staff

The award for innovation in front line delivery by front line staff recognises those staff who have used their knowledge of customer needs to innovate and make services more responsive. The finalists are…

Agency for Clinical Innovation – Haemodialysis Models of Care Program

The demand for dialysis services increases by 5 per cent every year. In the face of these demands, nurses receive training in concepts of innovation and change management so they can address service delivery and staffing issues. Dialysis units across the state have now improved their processes and make better use of resources for patient care.

Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services – Global Growth Program

Fundamentally changing the delivery of services for NSW exporters, this program consolidates four grants programs and provides a one-stop-shop for premium export advice. Led by the Markets and Trade division, it provides eligible exporters with access to a dedicated advisor over a 12 month period for their export plan and its implementation.

Hunter New England Local Health District – i-care Young Carer Project

By promoting the issues and needs of young carers throughout the acute and community health sector, this project has supported the health, wellbeing and awareness of young carers. Specifically targeting issues relevant to young carers, this program has developed training, support networks and information to minimise the risks for this vulnerable group.

Mid North Coast Local Health District – Frontline Physiotherapy

Many of the patients visiting emergency departments with basic injuries do not require treatment from a doctor. Physiotherapists are capable of diagnosing and managing these injuries. By trialling physiotherapy in the emergency department, Port Macquarie Base Hospital made significant improvements in waiting times.

Northern Sydney Local Health District – GRACE: Geriatric Rapid Acute Care Evaluation

Through partnership with Residential Aged Care Facilities, Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital significantly reduced the number of unnecessary nursing home patient admissions, improving outcomes for patients who do require hospital care. By facilitating communication between the hospital and stakeholders, better prioritisation of hospital treatment has been achieved.

Panel members:
Mr Peter Duncan(Convenor)	Chief Executive Roads and Maritime Services
Mr Martin Byatt	Regional General Manager, Eastern Region & A/General Manager, Planning State Transit Authority
Assistant Commissioner Denis Clifford APM	Commander, North West Metropolitan Region NSW Police Force
Ms Robyn McKerihan	Regional Director, Hunter/Central Coast Department of Education and Communities

 

Innovation Through Technology 

The award for innovation through technology recognises innovation through the use of technology and e-government platforms to enhance access to services, reduce costs and improve outcomes for the community. The finalists are…

Department of Education and Communities - HEALnet

Developed by North Coast Institute of TAFE, the Health Education and Learning Network is an online product designed to provide health workers with continuing professional development. This uniquely Australian product has provided formal and semi-formal training to medical professionals across the country.

Department of Finance and Services – apps4nsw

Using NSW Government data to create lightweight software applications was a first for any Australian state government. This competition created opportunities for employees, industry representatives and citizen developers to identify priorities for access to public sector information and to build innovative applications for the people of NSW.

NSW Police Force – Evidential Breath Analysis Project

Conducting breath analysis to collect evidence for legal proceedings was a time intensive process for police officers. This system analyses and captures results and observations and then transfers that information directly into NSW Police information systems. Now accessible at over 262 sites, this system has significantly reduced the time spent on administration.

Roads and Traffic Authority – Sydney Harbour Bridge Information System

This specialised database, linked to 3D modelling, provides a cutting edge tool for condition monitoring, maintenance reporting and information storage for the State’s flagship asset. As the world’s first 3D modelling system for any major bridge, it has the potential to monitor any large engineering structure.

Hunter New England Local Health District – myLink Online Learning Portal

By applying online learning principles, this project has further optimised the education resources of Hunter New England Health. The use multiple technologies has facilitated discussion and knowledge sharing amongst staff and provided a sound platform for training and development.

Panel members:
Mr Stephen Loquet(Convenor)	Chief Information Officer Department of Education and Communities
Ms Kerry Doyle	Executive Director, Innovation, Science & Industry Analysis Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services
Mr David Kennedy	Chief Information Officer / Chief Technology Officer Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services
Mr Martin Stewart-Weeks	Director, Global Public Sector Practice Cisco Systems Incorporated

 

Regional Innovation 

The award for regional innovation recognises innovation in service delivery to respond to the needs of regional communities. The finalists are…

Office of Communities – Youth Services Toolkit

This online community resource and training program for sports clubs, community groups and youth centres included hints and useful templates to build the capacity of youth services agencies to manage a range of community and social issues. The Youth Services Toolkit has significantly increased service efficiency across remote communities.

Housing NSW – Building Stronger Communities

Tackling the physical, social and economic dimensions of 22 disadvantaged communities in social housing estates and promoting community regeneration, this innovative partnership-based approach takes community regeneration to a new level. Improved streetscapes and parks, coupled with a stronger and more engaged community, are key accomplishments of this program.

Hunter New England Local Health District – Nourishing Networks

In partnership with the University Department of Rural Health and the Northwest Slopes Division of General Practice, Hunter New England Health has enhanced local treatment for sufferers of eating disorders. The project’s multidisciplinary approach has improved the confidence and skills of rural clinicians through a variety of learning technologies.

Murrumbidgee Local Health District – People of the Soil

Working with the Sydney Theatre Company, the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program delivered a unique theatre-based mental health initiative for drought affected communities in NSW. Through this production, drama workshops and mental health education, the project engaged isolated communities and provided them with information and referral options.

Northern NSW Local Health District – Building a Sustainable Health Workforce on the North Coast

Working proactively with regional education providers, this project addresses health workforce shortages by increasing recruitment opportunities across the Northern NSW Local Health District. Incorporating over a decade of work, this collaborative project focuses on the strategy of ‘growing our own’ and has rapidly expanded regional clinical training placements by 500 per cent.

Panel members:
Mr Barry Buffier	Deputy Director General, Industry, Innovation and Investment Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services
Dr Regina Fogarty	Principal Director, Industry Development, Agriculture and Forestry Department of Primary Industries
Mr Michael Tyler	General Manager, Corporate Marketing and Brand Essential Energy
Mr John Scott	Director, Regional Coordination Department of Premier and Cabinet

 

Devolving Decision Making 

The award for devolving decision making recognises innovation by managers and policy makers in devolving to local entities the power to create tailored, responsive and accountable local service solutions. The finalist is….

Housing NSW – Planning for the Future

Bringing together a number of initiatives to devolve social housing decisions to non-government providers, this program encourages private investment in affordable housing. With 25,000 properties owned or managed by community housing providers, this strategy is transforming community housing by developing the size, capacity and financial viability of the sector.

Panel members:
Mr Danny O’Connor (Convenor)	Chief Executive Western Sydney Local Health District
Ms Karyn Baylis	Chief Executive Officer Jawun Indigenous Corporate Partnerships
Mr Grahame Gibbs	Director, Performance Management and Compliance Division of Local Government
Mr Michael Leavey	Regional Director, Hunter & Central Coast Department of Planning and Infrastructure
Ms Marie New	Regional Director, Hunter Department of Family and Community Services

 

Leadership and Collaborative Practice 

The award for leadership and collaborative practice recognises excellence in collaboration and creativity that facilitates cross sector approaches to service delivery. The finalists are…

Community Services NSW – Staying Home. Leaving Violence

This collaboration by government and non-government agencies supported women escaping domestic violence to remain in their home of choice, rather than fleeing into a life of homelessness and displacement.

Essential Energy – Telemedicine Trial

Through collaboration with Employers Mutual, WorkCover and Quality Occupational Health, this project developed and implemented a remote medical consultation trial for employees in the workplace. This simple solution has shifted the benchmark for industry best practice in managing injuries in regional and rural areas.

Housing NSW – NSW Homelessness Action Plan

Through setting out to reform the way that NSW approaches homelessness, this blueprint has formed a standard for collaborative practice. By shifting the focus from crisis response to prevention and early intervention, this plan has shaped policy and service delivery, and built the foundation for improved service integration.

NSW Rural Fire Service – AIDER Program

Aged residents and residents with a disability are at greater risk during a bush fire. By collaborating with community organisations, this program provides services to at-risk residents including hazard reduction, safety and preparation. These services have increased the safety and confidence of residents in their homes.

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District – Helping Older People with End Stage Kidney Disease

A unique collaborative project between medical disciplines to provide holistic care and symptom control for patients with end stage kidney disease at St George Hospital. With high patient satisfaction, this project has improved patient survival and control of symptoms, particularly for patients choosing non-dialysis programs.

Panel members:
Ms Vicki D’Adam (Convenor)	Deputy Director General, Strategic Policy and Coordination Group Department of Premier and Cabinet
Mr Peter Achterstraat	President, NSW Council Institute of Public Administration Australia
Ms Marion Bennett	Director, Performance Improvement and Review Department of Premier and Cabinet
Mr Peter De Natris	Executive Director, Community Access Department of Family and Community Services
Mr Mark Webb	Director, Workforce Systems Public Service Commission

 

Excellence in Delivery 

The award for excellence in delivery recognises individuals or teams who achieve the highest quality delivery outcomes, including policy innovation, and on-time and on-budget delivery. The finalists are:

Office of Environment and Heritage – Sustainability Advantage

Sustainability Advantage is helping 545 medium and large organisations across NSW to improve their environmental performance, reduce their costs and add value to their business. By helping organisations to implement projects in practical areas, this program is achieving impressive ongoing savings of over $50 million a year from improved productivity and resource usage.

Mid North Coast Local Health District – Peace of Mind Project

Ward 1B at Port Macquarie Base Hospital is the site of this project to improve safety and care for patients with a cognitive impairment. Through the implementation of best practice systems and clinical management strategies, the number of aggressive incidents on the ward were reduced, leading to better treatment of patients and improved working conditions for staff.

South Western Sydney Local Health District – Triage KPIs for Dummies

Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital’s Emergency Department has been able to meet its KPIs through brainstorming, consulting and reviewing the triage process. The Emergency Department has redefined processes to eliminate bottlenecks preventing KPIs from being achieved.

St Vincent’s Health Network – Quality in Acute Stroke Care Project

Designed to assist patients recovering from stroke, this state-wide field trial has brought about a significant improvement in the management of patient symptoms. As a result, the likelihood of death and disability from stroke has been reduced and rehabilitation is more effective.

Sydney Local Health District – Fast Track and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Gynaecological Cancer

The Gynaecological Oncology Unit at RPA Hospital initiated Fast Track Surgery for women undergoing surgery for cancer. This evidence based program aims to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of death following surgery. Fast Track Surgery uses techniques to reduce stress on the patient, allowing for a shorter stay in hospital.

Panel members:
Mr Mark Ronsisvalle (Convenor)	Deputy Secretary, Budget and Financial Management The Treasury
Mr Paul Campbell	President, NSW Chapter Australian Institute of Project Management
Mr Paul Jones	Group General Manager, Project Management – NSW Public Works Department of Finance and Services
Ms Leonie King	Executive Director, Community Housing Department of Family and Community Services
Mr Mika Malkki	Manager, Fisheries Licensing and Policy Department of Primary Industries

 

Infrastructure 

The award for infrastructure recognises advances and innovative solutions to challenges in effective, sustainable and value for money infrastructure. The finalists are:

Roads and Traffic Authority – Hume Highway Longwall Mining

Linking Sydney with Canberra and Melbourne, the Hume Highway carries over 20 million tonnes of road freight annually. Mine subsidence caused by longwall mining under the highway had the potential to cause significant delays to road users. Southern Infrastructure Services managed the potential impact on the road through pavement slots and extensive real-time monitoring.

NSW Maritime – Milsons Point Wharf

This new approach to the design of ferry commuter wharves in Sydney Harbour provides excellent amenity, accessibility and comfort for commuters. An attractive addition to the Sydney Harbour foreshore, the wharf is far more ecologically and financially sustainable, and a successful prototype for a program of wharf replacements and upgrades across the harbour.

Panel members:
Mr Brian Baker	Deputy Director General, NSW Public Works Department of Finance and Services
Mr Geoff Fogarty	Director, Infrastructure Services Roads and Maritime Services
Mr Andrew Jackson	Executive Director, Strategic and Infrastructure Planning Department of Planning and Infrastructure
Ms Maryam Khajeh	President, Sydney Division Engineers Australia
Mr John Neely	General Manager, Operations Macquarie Generation

 

Sustainability  

The award for sustainability recognises new knowledge or solutions that focus on sustainable outcomes for the community that cross traditional boundaries of ecological and social science. The finalists are…

Department of Education and Communities – Walking the Sustainability Talk

TAFE’s Western Sydney Institute leads the vocational sector in green skills training. Sustainability principles are built in to all vocational training areas and are driven by an environmentally aware workforce. The Institute’s accredited environmental management system supports green practices throughout the organisation.

Department of Planning and Infrastructure – Building Sustainability Index

Since October 2005, this program has required new dwellings in NSW to commit to targets reducing water and energy usage. Data collection about every new dwelling is compiled into reports that deliver ongoing environmental benefits including reduced energy and water consumption and projected emissions.

Sydney Local Health District – Managing Waste and Maintaining Sustainability in the Operating Theatre

Cost associated with clinical waste from operating theatres is a significant burden on hospitals. Concord Hospital investigated how to reduce clinical waste and increase recycling in the operating theatre. By recycling clean packaging material, papers, blue wrap, glass and ink cartridges, the operating theatre has made significant savings in the cost of waste removal.

TransGrid – GreenGrid

Partnering with Greening Australia, TransGrid has improved land, biodiversity, river health and sustainable production in the Murray Darling Basin over 13 years. Engaging over 370 landholders and several thousand community volunteers and staff members, the project has protected, enhanced and re-established over 1500 hectares of land.

Transport Construction Authority – Sustainable Design Guidelines

By developing the Sustainable Design Guidelines for Stations, Commuter Car Parks and Maintenance Facilities, the Transport Construction Authority has improved the sustainable performance of transport infrastructure. As a result, the South West Rail Link has been constructed in a way that safeguards both community assets and the environment.

Panel members:
Mr Simon Smith (Convenor)	Deputy Director General, Delivery and Implementation Group Department of Premier and Cabinet
Ms Leanne Denby	Director of Sustainability Macquarie University
Ms Sarah Dinning	Group General Manager, Corporate Development Sydney Catchment Authority
Ms Romily Madew	Chief Executive Green Building Council of Australia
Mr Michael McFadyen	Director, Environmental Sustainability Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services

 

Achievement by an Individual 

The award for achievement by an individual recognises outstanding achievement in creating improvements in the workplace or community. The finalists are:

Dr Roshan Abraham – Mid North Coast Local Health District

Since joining the Hastings Macleay Dental Health Team in 2007, Dr Abraham has built a culture of excellence by celebrating success in his team. His innovative programs have improved access to dental care for the local community and significantly reduced waiting times in the area.

Stephen Ward – Roads and Traffic Authority

FVO: Steven is a Works Assistant with the RTA’s Road and Fleet Services. He developed a tool for lifting heavy planks during bridge works, acting on a need to improve safety for his co-workers struggling to manoeuvre 150 kilogram bridge planks into place. The ‘plank lifter’ allows the bridge crew to lift more, work faster and save costs.

Helen Ganley – Northern Sydney Local Health District

As a quality and risk consultant with the Northern Sydney Local Health District, Helen has been responsible for implementing two innovative projects that have improved the ability to manage quality and risk in the daily work of the Health District. The Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Program and the Statistical Thinking Methods Program have won multiple awards.

Panel members:
Mr Peter Riordan (Convenor)	Deputy Director General, Workforce Management and Systems Improvement Department of Education and Communities
Mr Andrew Gavrielatos	Assistant Commissioner, Customer Services, NSW Fair Trading Department of Finance and Services
Ms Ann Sherry AO	Chief Executive Officer Carnival Australia
Ms Diana Talty	Director, Strategic Developments Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority

 

Annual Reports 

The award for annual reports recognises excellence in reporting by public sector bodies. The finalists are:

• Audit Office of New South Wales for its 2009-10 annual report.
• AusGrid for the Energy Australia Annual Report 2009-10.
• Essential Energy for the Country Energy Annual Report 2009-10.
• Taronga Conservation Society Australia for its 2009-10 annual report.

Panel members:
Ms Helen Freeland (Convenor)	A/Deputy Chief Executive, Community Services Department of Family and Community Services
Ms Victoria Doidge	Director of Communications, Marketing and Customer Service Sydney Opera House
Mr Paul Doorn	Chief Executive Officer Institute of Public Administration Australia (NSW Division)
Mr David Pendleton	Chief Operating Officer Australian Broadcasting Corporation