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Women’s and Children’s Health Network
Acknowledgement
The Women’s and Children’s Health Network acknowledges Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of Country throughout South Australia. We acknowledge and respect their ongoing and deep spiritual connection and relationship to land, air, sea, waters, community and country. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

The Excellence in Consumer Partnerships Award

WCHN Awards 2023 Header

This award recognises outstanding leadership and outcomes in strengthening partnerships with our consumers and volunteers.

It also supports the priorities of WCHN’s Consumer and Community Engagement Strategy and the National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (NSQHSS) by recognising supportive partnerships with the community, consumers and/or carers.

WINNER:

Partnership between WCHN and AWFOSA

The WCHN partnered with the African Women’s Federation of South Australia (AWFOSA) to help improve African women’s understanding of maternal health in SA. A co-design approach was used to understand African women’s needs and their expectations in childbirth whilst building confidence in the Australian maternity system. Changes have already been made to improve inclusivity at the WCH for African women and evaluation shows an increase in staff confidence in working with African women and similarly African women felt more empowered to speak up.

Finalists:

Consumer and Communications Working Group

This group is a mix of WCHN communications staff and consumer representatives who represent a range of consumer groups, including CALD communities. They meet regularly to have meaningful discussions about the best communication methods at WCHN. Results have seen an improvement in communications for our consumers which ultimately results in better health outcomes.

Leanne Norman – Helen Mayo House

Leanne is the first remunerated peer specialist to work in a mother/ baby psychiatric unit in Australia. Leanne has her own lived experience of postnatal depression and has been able to share this with mothers admitted to Helen Mayo House. Since she started, the service has seen an increase in consumer feedback which created positive clinical practice change within the unit to increase overall quality of care.