Jemma Freegard and Donna Cook
Camera IconJemma Freegard and Donna Cook Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Peel Health Campus nurses take home WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

TWO nurses from Peel Health Campus emerged as winners at the 2016 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

Clinical Midwifery Manager on Peel’s maternity ward Jemma Freegard won the excellence in leadership award and McGrath Breast Care nurse Donna Cook won the excellence in primary, public and community care award.

The results were announced at the prestigious awards ceremony gala dinner on Saturday evening.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Ms Freegard said she was thrilled to receive the excellence in leadership award, but added it was the effort of her team that had made it possible.

“I’m honoured and overjoyed to be receiving this award, but none of this would be possible without having an amazing team around me,” she said.

“It was such an inspiring evening and pushes me to continue to keep striving for excellence.

“At Peel Health Campus we aim to provide the best maternity service to every women and newborn that we possibly can and this is the driving force behind our achievement.

“Delivering high quality patient-centred care is the reason we are here.”

Ms Cook said it was a wonderful feeling to know that her work in the community had been recognised.

“The McGrath breast cancer service helps to empower women who are suffering and make sure they are informed connected and have a voice,” she said.

“The service we provide to these women makes a big difference to them during their treatment and for this service to be recognised at the 2016 Excellence Awards is just sensational.”

Peel Health Campus chief executive Margaret Sturdy said she was delighted with the results.

“The WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards are the highlight of the nursing and midwifery calendar, timed to coincide with International Nurses and Midwives Week,” she said.

“The awards give the community the opportunity to celebrate the amazing contribution made by nurses and midwives, and to identify individuals who are acknowledged by their peers and their patients as being outstanding.

“We are so proud of both Ms Freegard and Ms Cook, and honoured to have healthcare professionals of such high calibre on our team.”

On June 2, Peel Health Campus will be celebrating its third anniversary under the operation and management of Ramsay Health Care, and this result would add to the celebration Dr Sturdy said.

“The Ramsay Vision is to be a leader in provision of high quality healthcare, with patients and their loved ones being at the centre of our endeavours,” she said.

“With professionals like Ms Freegard and Ms Cook on our team we are well on the way to achieving that vision.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this achievement on our third anniversary.

“This award gives us great assurance and confidence that we have first class nursing staff delivering care to our local community.”