The state’s top nurses and midwives have been recognised for their outstanding achievements at the annual NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazzard presented awards to the 13 most accomplished nurses and midwives from across NSW at the event in Sydney.

“These nurses and midwives go above and beyond to provide excellent care to patients and help make our NSW public health system what it is today – world class,” Mr Hazzard said.

“A nurse or midwife is there every step of the way on a patient’s journey – whether it be at the birth of a baby, or a life-saving procedure in the operating theatre."

“Some have devoted lifelong careers to healthcare, others are launching their careers – and all of the 2019 award winners have made an outstanding contribution to the busiest public health system in Australia.”

The 13 winners were recognised in 12 categories ranging from excellence in practice to clinical leadership and innovation in research.

NSW Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Jacqui Cross said the awards are an opportunity to honour individuals who have been identified by their colleagues and patients for making a real difference to patients’ lives and health outcomes.

“These nurses and midwives are the best of the best and highly deserving of these prestigious awards,” Ms Cross said.

“They do an amazing job and I thank them for their passionate, dedicated approach to helping patients and improving healthcare.”

The prestigious Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Marion Hawker from Greater Newcastle Sector Community and Aged Care Services, who began her career at Manning River Hospital in Taree in 1971.

With a career spanning 25 years, Marion has been instrumental in developing new ways of providing contemporary diabetes care in her local community.

More than 53,000 nurses and midwives work full-time and part-time in NSW Health hospitals and health services.

The NSW Government is investing $2.8 billion to recruit 8,300 extra frontline staff over the next four years, including an additional 5000 nurses and midwives.

The winners of the 2019 Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards are:

1. Excellence in Nursing/Midwifery – Assistant in Nursing/Midwifery: Meenakshi Baveja, The Children's Hospital Westmead, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
2. Excellence in Nursing – Enrolled Nurse: Neil Keenan, Campbelltown Hospital and Joshua Paroz, Campbelltown Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District (joint winners)
3. Excellence in Nursing/Midwifery Graduate Award: Sally Smith, The Tweed Hospital, Northern NSW Local Health District
4. Excellence in Nursing – Registered Nurse: Kerry Devine, Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District
5. Excellence in Midwifery – Registered Midwife: Susan Guinane, NSW Health Pathology, NSW Health
6. Excellence in Nursing or Midwifery – Clinical Leadership: Jane Barr, Sydney Hospital & Sydney Eye Hospital , South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
7. Excellence in Nursing or Midwifery Management: Brian Lane, Camden and Campbelltown Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District
8. Excellence in Innovation – in Education: Rowena Mitchell, South East Regional Hospital, Southern NSW Local Health District
9. Excellence in Innovation – in Research: Michelle Barakat-Johnson, Sydney Local Health District
10. Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthcare: Elise McCarthy-McPhan, Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network
11. Judith Meppem Lifetime Achievement Award: Marion Hawker, Greater Newcastle Sector Community and Aged Care Services, Hunter New England Local Health District
12. Consumer Appreciation Award: Matt Tinker, Royal North Shore Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District.

For more information visit Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.