Primary health care excellence awards 2025

Awarded to the organisation, clinic/team, individual and/or service provider that has demonstrated outstanding innovation in primary care.

Example: A diabetes outreach clinic created a Digital Access Pathway that connects patients with insulin dependent diabetes to coordinated care using wearable health devices, telehealth monitoring, and real-time symptom tracking through a simple mobile app. Patients in rural areas were able to send health data directly to care teams, who then triaged needs and offered rapid virtual consults.

Awarded to the organisation, clinic/team, individual and/or service provider that is responsive to the diversity of, and differences in, our communities to address health inequalities for First Nations people and communities.

Example: A local Aboriginal Medical Service aimed to improve cardiovascular health outcomes among Aboriginal men. Through yarning circles, cultural camps, and health checks delivered on Country, the program integrated community connection, cultural healing, and clinical care. They also implemented cultural mentoring for non-Indigenous clinicians, improving trust and engagement. 

Excellence in primary mental health care is defined as providing timely, person centred and culturally safe mental health support or clinical care within a primary care. It involves early identification, effective intervention, and seamless integration with other services or support to improve mental health and overall wellbeing.

Awarded to the organisation, clinic/team, individual and/or service provider for Excellence in Delivery of Mental Health in Primary Care recognises outstanding innovation, leadership and impact through the delivery of primary care/community mental health services. It celebrates individuals or teams who have improved access, quality of care and outcomes for consumers through person-centred care.

Submissions should demonstrate one or more of the following:

• evidence of enhanced engagement with services participants (consumers) from priority populations or hard to reach groups
• evidence of improvement in clinical and wellbeing outcomes
• mental health service innovation to address local needs

Example: The Northern Rivers GP Collaborative developed a stepped-care mental health model that integrates general practice, psychology, and peer support services. By embedding mental health nurses in clinics and offering telehealth counselling, they reduced wait times by 40% and increased engagement among young adults. Their culturally responsive approach also improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

Individual award recognising  outstanding general practice leadership and achievement.

For example:

• Developed flagship services for communities
• Developed prevention and self-management strategies
• Designed, developed or implemented a new model of care
• Embedded continuous quality improvement processes and strategy within the business
• Introduced a general practice leadership initiative that directly contributed to improving health outcomes or improved patient experiences.
• Fostered a positive workplace culture that enhanced the effectiveness of the service and promoted well-being of the team.

Individual award recognising outstanding nursing leadership and achievement in primary care services.

For example:

• Developed flagship services for communities
• Developed prevention and self-management strategies
• Designed, developed or implemented a nurse led model of care
• Embedded continuous quality improvement processes and strategy within the business
• Introduced a nursing initiative that directly contributed to improving health outcomes or improved patient experiences.
• Fostered a positive workplace culture that enhanced the effectiveness of the service and promoted well-being of the team.

Example: This nurse played a key role in supporting the development of an integrated care model for people experiencing homelessness and complex mental health needs. They coordinated mobile outreach services, facilitated trauma-informed care training for the team, and strengthened collaboration between general practice, housing providers, and mental health clinicians. Their efforts helped embed continuous quality improvement processes that tracked health outcomes and service reach in real time, contributing to more responsive and person-centred care for a highly vulnerable population.

Individual award recognising outstanding allied health leadership and achievement in primary care.

For example:

• Developed flagship services for communities
• Developed and implemented prevention and self-management strategies
• Designed, developed or implemented a new model of care
• Embedded continuous quality improvement processes and strategy within the business
• Introduced an allied health initiative that directly contributed to improving health outcomes or improved patient experiences.
• Fostered a positive workplace culture that enhanced the effectiveness of the service and promoted well-being of the team.

Example: This social worker has been improving support for patients with complex social needs in general practice. They helped set up a referral pathway between local GPs and housing services, making it easier for patients experiencing homelessness to access safe accommodation and health care. They also ran trauma-informed care workshops for clinic staff and coordinated care with mental health services. Their work has helped patients feel more supported and improved how the clinic responds to people in crisis.

Individual award recognising outstanding practice management leadership and achievement in primary care. For example:

• Developed flagship services for communities
• Developed prevention and self-management strategies
• Designed, developed or implemented a nurse led model of care
• Embedded continuous quality improvement activity
• Introduced a nursing initiative that directly contributed to improving health outcomes or improved patient experiences.
• Fostered a positive workplace culture that enhanced the effectiveness of the service and promoted well-being of the team.

Example: This practice manager improved patient care by creating a pathway to identify and support patients with long-term health conditions, leading to fewer hospital visits. They made it easier for patients to manage their own health using a new online tool. They also improved how the clinic runs by using better systems for bookings and follow-ups. Their focus on staff wellbeing and teamwork has made the clinic a better place to work and visit.

Individual award recognising an emerging leader in primary health care, such as a GP registrar, nurse trainee, or early-career clinician, who demonstrates exceptional initiative, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving health outcomes. The recipient will have shown dedication to learning, collaboration, and innovation in their early career, with a focus on equity and community impact.

Example: Dr. GP registrar in the Mid North Coast, led a quality improvement project to streamline mental health referrals for young people. They collaborated with local schools, youth workers, and psychologists to co-design a referral pathway that reduced delays and improved follow-up care. This leadership inspired the clinic to adopt a more youth-friendly approach, and the GP registrar continues to mentor other trainees in culturally responsive care.

Individual awards recognising professionals who have displayed excellence and consistent dedication to providing quality primary care in our region for 20 or more years.