We are Victorian Public Healthcare Award winners!

We are thrilled to announce that we have been honoured with the 2024 Victorian Public Healthcare Award for 'Excellence in mental health and wellbeing'!

This award recognises the work of our After-Hours Mental Health Nursing Service (AHMHNS), which is a unique service that can support people experiencing mild or moderate mental health issues during times when other services are limited.

The awards are a celebration of excellence in public healthcare and acknowledge the achievements of Victoria’s healthcare workers, volunteers, and public health services.

Accepting the award at the Gala Awards Dinner on 19 November were our CEO Agata Jarbin, and Executive - Wellbeing and Prevention, Rosalyn Sandwell.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Agata said:

“This is an outstanding achievement that recognises the work of everyone involved in the After-Hours Mental Health Nursing Service. We are so proud of this service and the vital support it provides for many people, as well as the significant benefits it delivers for the broader health system.

“So far it has provided over 6,800 episodes of care and an independent impact report estimated that for every $1 invested, the service saves the health system $3.24, with the potential to increase the savings to $4.37 as the service grows.”

We are grateful to our funders, Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN) and the federal Department of Health and Aged Care, for making this work possible. We would also like to thank Impact Co. for compiling the impact report and cost-benefit analysis that provided crucial supporting evidence for our award submission.

The AHMHNS provides an alternative to a hospital emergency department for people requiring semi-urgent or non-urgent support. It delivers a free, timely and comprehensive service that doesn’t require an appointment, referral, or Medicare card, that can be accessed in-person, over the phone, by telehealth or email.