31 Southland nurses nominated for excellence

Thirty-one Southland nurses have been nominated for demonstrating nursing excellence in the lead up to the inaugural Southland Nursing Excellence Awards announced Isabel Radka, SDHB Director of Nursing (acting) and Wendy Findlay, Professional Nursing Advisor for the Southland Primary Health Organisations (PHOs).

Mrs Radka said that several $1000 scholarship awards would be presented during a celebratory dinner and awards evening, being held on International Nurses’ Day – Monday 12 May 2008 - to formally recognise and celebrate the recipients for their contribution to the community.

"These awards are a first for Southland and have been initiated jointly by the four Southland PHOs and SDHB. They have been designed to recognise and celebrate nursing innovation, clinical excellence, contribution to the community, leadership and research," Mrs Radka said.

Mrs Findlay said that nurses were one of the largest workforce groups in the Southland region, with over 1,000 nurses working across different health related environments.

"We've been thrilled to receive nominations for nurses working across so many different practise environments, including general practice, mental health, hospital settings, residential care and occupational health."

"The selection panel is now considering the nominations and the recipients of the inaugural Southland Nursing Excellence Scholarship Awards will be announced on International Nurses' Day," Mrs Findlay said.

Scholarships are being funded by the PHOs, SDHB and the Violet McBain Trust. Ms McBain was a former patient of various departments of Southland Hospital, who left a bequest to support hospital nurses.

Jane Todd of Harcourts Real Estate is sponsoring the awards evening on 12 May.