2022 HESTA Excellence Awards winners announced

Winners include an organisation who fly medical specialists to pop-up clinics in regional and remote NSW to support seriously ill children, a team who work to help address Australia's aged care workforce shortages, and a team who provide culturally safe support for Aboriginal people with disability.

The award for Team Excellence - Aged Care went to the Falls Improvement Program Team at Brightwater Care Group in Inglewood, Western Australia.

Brightwater Care Group's Falls Improvement Program Team is recognised for identifying and implementing evidence-based strategies in falls prevention to reduce fall rates, better support aged care residents, and improve overall knowledge gaps.

The program saw a 28 per cent decline in fall rates within six months.

Brightwater's chief executive Professor Catherine Stoddart said winning a HESTA Award meant so much to the organisation.

"We are so proud of our Falls Improvement Team. This award is an acknowledgement of the wonderful work our staff do every day to ensure we can support our residents to continue to be independent and live well. To put falls prevention in the spotlight through this award we hope will trigger a cultural shift in the wider health sector as we have shown that falls in older Australians are preventable. The prize money will enable us to take this program even further," Prof Stoddart said.

Winner of Outstanding Organisation - Aged Care was HealthX in Petrie Terrace, Queensland.

HealthX is recognised for its work to help address Australia's aged care workforce shortages by boosting long-term staff capacity to improve the overall wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through a variety of innovative programs, particularly during COVID.

HealthX chief operations officer Andrew McAuliffe said the team was honoured to be recognised, alongside Australia's leading healthcare providers.

"We see this as an acknowledgement of our high level of service, our ability to react quickly in times of crisis and the relentless dedication of all HealthX employees on placements across Australia, supported by the Brisbane-based office," Mr McAuliffe said.

The prize money will be directed back into supporting their employees with professional and personal development, to help their health, wellbeing and sense of community and belonging.

HESTA chief executive Debby Blakey congratulated the winners and finalists and acknowledged their inspiring work.

"A huge congratulations to all our winners and finalists. These teams and organisations have gone above and beyond to deliver critical services, making a real difference for so many people in need across Australia," Ms Blakey said.

"We are so grateful for the contributions these professionals make each day to support our communities and keep our nation safe and healthy. It's a great honour for the HESTA team to help recognise their vital work."

The winners each shared in a $60,000 prize money pool to be used for further education, service improvement or team development, courtesy of longstanding HESTA Awards supporter ME.