ORH named Victoria’s top 2011 Rural Health Service

 

Orbost Regional Health was last night presented with the award for Rural Health Service of the Year by Premier Ted Baillieu at the 2011 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards in Melbourne.

The Premier’s Award for the Rural Health Service of the year is the highest honour to which a Victorian Rural Health Service can aspire.

This award recognises leadership and excellence in the provision of publicly-funded healthcare to the Victorian community.

Health Minister David Davis said Orbost Regional Health’s innovative, adaptive and energetic approach to servicing their local community exemplified what it meant to be a rural health service.

“Orbost Regional Health is a small dynamic health service located in one of the most remote parts of Victoria in Far East Gippsland,” Mr Davis said.

“This location creates interesting challenges and opportunities for the effective delivery of accessible health services.

“The service was created twelve years ago through the vision, foresight and energy of the local community, andsince then the health service has grown and adapted to local community needs.

“This year Orbost Regional Health also contended with the challenges of natural disasters, after a significant bushfire in February isolated the service for two days and tested emergency management processes, and recent floods provided further challenges for the service.

“The health service addresses the challenges of providing comprehensive services to a remote community through strong leadership and a commitment to the local community,” Mr Davis said.

Runners up for this award were Alexandra District Hospital and Hesse Rural Health Service which received Highly Commended Awards.

“The passion, talent and dedication of the Victorian health workforce is highlighted by the individuals and organisations that have been selected for these awards,” Mr Davis said.

“These awards pay tribute to Victoria’s outstanding healthcare leaders and acknowledge their leadership in ensuring Victoria’s public health services continue to provide the highest quality of care to Victorian families and communities.

“Victoria’s long and proud tradition of providing world-class healthcare to the community continues with an impressive field of nominations for these Awards,” Mr Davis said.

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