News

Professor Ajai Verma, Barwon Health Chief Medical Officer

It is astonishing to think that the first Apple iPhone was invented less than twenty years ago, in 2007. Since then, there has been an exponential rise in smaller, more sophisticated smart devices that have fundamentally changed the way we work, live and love.

In healthcare, improvement and innovation has been the cornerstone of providing safer, more effective, personalised and connected care for centuries. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to the health system, it also catalysed and accelerated healthcare innovation on a scale never seen before.

However, innovation doesn’t need to be driven by a crisis to be impactful, as it is often the changes made by staff on a daily basis that can change a life - or save it. At Barwon Health, we view any change as an opportunity for growth, which is why innovation is one of our five core values. This is why it is critical to recognise the individuals and teams who go above and beyond to change the way we provide care to our community. Barwon Health recently held its annual Barwon Best Care Awards, which celebrate the staff initiatives and projects that improve patient experience and outcomes.

These projects included ensuring our most vulnerable paediatric patients with Type 1 diabetes were delivered customised and flexible insulin treatments, and another project addressing the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance, described by the World Health Organisation as one of the top global public health threats, through the ‘Check Again’ project. This initiative supports de-labelling of penicillin allergies that affect 90 per cent of people told they will have a negative reaction to the antibiotic, and opens up an effective treatment pathway in a safe and controlled environment.

As we move into a new area of healthcare, it is fitting that our Food Services team received the Connected Care award for their initiative to involve consumers in revitalising our menu to meet the health needs of our diverse patient cohort. Our volunteers also form a vital part of the backbone of our service, with volunteer Christine Brooks receiving the Innovation Award for hosting a podcast that has reached thousands of people accessing palliative care. A healthy and thriving workforce leads to better patient outcomes, which is why our General Surgery team were recognised for their pioneering work in value-based surgical education and training.

These internal awards promote a culture of innovation each year, creating a ripple effect that builds a collaborative spirit throughout our organisation and benefits our community. Patients experience faster, more effective and personalised care with tailored treatments and enhanced outcomes. An ageing population with an increase in chronic and complex diseases means that, as our smart devices become smaller, our health needs will become larger. By innovating and working smarter, healthcare organisations are better positioned to deliver high-quality care efficiently and sustainably.  Ultimately, the community benefits from a healthcare system that is not only responsive to its needs, but also anticipates and adapts to the challenges of the future.