WNSWLHD’s Welcome to Bourke Babies team have been named finalists in the 2023 NSW Health Awards.
Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has congratulated The Welcome to Bourke Baby Team who are among the 36 finalists of the NSW Health Awards, for their exceptional contribution to the public health system.
Now in its 25th year, the awards recognise personalised, sustainable, and digitally enabled programs that contribute to the wellbeing of patients and the community.
WNSWLHD CE Mark Spittal says The Welcome to Bourke Baby Team are highly deserving local finalists for the awards.
Welcome Baby Back to Bourke is a cultural ceremony with families and the Bourke community. Introducing babies to community is a traditional practice that dates back to thousands of years through generations.
When maternity services closed in Bourke, residents were concerned about the cultural disconnect from not being able to birth on country. To address this issue, a culturally appropriate, innovative solution was sought. During its creation, the importance of it being ‘owned and led’ by the Bourke community was recognised. From that, a community-based co-design was initiated and implemented.
The ceremony reduces the cultural disconnection and gives the babies a sense of identity and belonging right from the beginning. Babies will go into life knowing who they are and the country that they belong to. They can take pride in their culture, their traditions, and their identity. It is a significant way to connect new babies to their community, country and Aboriginal Elders.
The finalists showcase the breadth of skill, passion and exceptional care in WNSWLHD Local Health District.
Pat Canty, WNSWLHD Manager Aboriginal Health Partnerships and Community Engagement in the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Directorate, said the ceremony “is incredibly important for our babies, especially for Aboriginal babies, as they can be born away from Bourke and that can impact their cultural ties to the land”.
“Introducing our babies to community is a traditional practice that has been implemented through generations and it dates back thousands of years. The ceremony is a significant event for our babies to connect to our community, Country and also our Aboriginal Elders,” Ms Canty said.
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce extended her congratulations to this year’s finalists.
“These awards recognise our amazing staff and volunteers across the health system,” Ms Pearce said.
“I continue to be in awe of the achievements of NSW Health staff, who display such incredible innovation and compassion as they care for their communities.
“I congratulate the finalists, but I also want to acknowledge the vital work being done across the system every day, by doctors, nurses, allied health, volunteers and all other support staff.”
Finalists and winners will be celebrated at the NSW Health Awards ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday, 24 October at the Sydney International Convention Centre. The event will also be livestreamed.
Further information on the awards is available here.
