Wanting to help others and wanting to make a difference in Ipswich is at the core of local nurse, Shannon Wallis’ 20-year nursing career.
“I was born in Ipswich and went to school at St Mary’s College, I have three children and aging parents,” Ms Wallis said.
“I have a vested interest and I am really passionate about ensuring the best programs are available for this community.
“When you live and work locally you do want to make a difference.”
Ms Wallis is the nurse unit manager for West Moreton Health’s McCare, a digital program that supports patients with chronic health conditions to use video conferencing and home monitoring to remain well and keep out of hospital.
“MeCare is a partnership between West Moreton Health and Phillips and is the first program of its kind in Australia,” she said.
“In the past three years the MeCare team has delivered a 35 per cent reduction in preventable hospitalisations of chronically ill patients who are involved in the program.
“We have a team of 10 staff from various specialities who are looking after 200 patients.”
Ms Wallis believes discussing what is important to the patients regarding their health, is the key to helping her patients to gain the confidence to manage their conditions.
“We help them to understand how they can manage their health and they know if they are feeling unwell they can call us,” she said.
“By improving the health of the region’s population, we make efficiencies that in turn manages the growing demands on our health system and delivers care closer to home.
“By using video conferencing our staff are able to help more patients.”
Ms Wallis praised her staff for being very committed and patient focused. The staff work with the patients to navigate the health system so that the patient’s receive the right care in the right time.
Ms Wallis was recently recognised with the Caring Better Together Award, in the Caring for our teams category.
The award recognised a consistent contribution to inspire a workplace where staff, volunteers and partners thrive and know they are valued.
West Moreton Health’s MeCare team
The second annual Caring Better Together Awards celebrated the achievements of West Moreton Health staff.
West Moreton Hospital and Health Board Chair Michael Willis said the response to the awards was impressive, with staff nominating 182 colleagues across seven categories.
“The number and calibre of nominations reflect the dedication of our workforce who serve one of the fastest growing communities in Queensland,” Mr Willis said.
“Last year, West Moreton Health cared for more people than ever before and our response to this growth is a testament to our doctors, nurses, allied health and support staff, and the great work of our partners and supporters.
“The Board Chair Award of the night went to the Occupational Violence Prevention Team, who support West Moreton Health’s strong commitment to providing a healthy and safe working environment for all employees.
“All our staff have a right to go about their business of caring for others without being made to feel unsafe, and this team has made West Moreton Health a safer place for us to work.
“Our award recipients embody the West Moreton Health priority of delivering excellent care — for our patients, our communities and our staff — by focusing on people and partnerships, and using technology and research to deliver innovation.”
West Moreton Health Chief Executive Dr Kerrie Freeman said it was important to reward people for their commitment to the health and wellbeing of the West Moreton community.
“Every day, our staff provide compassionate, safe care to patients and families in this region — often in challenging circumstances,” Dr Freeman said.
“Our Caring Better Together Awards winners were chosen from a pool of remarkable staff who deliver on our promise of caring better together. They were nominated by their peers, and that’s the best recognition.”
Read also:
>>> The little-known Ipswich health team making a big difference
West Moreton Health Caring Better Together Award winners, 2019.
Award categories and winners
Person-centred care
The award recognises outstanding work in delivering equitable, person-centred care and supporting diverse and vulnerable communities.
Winner: Deadly Steps Program (Indigenous health program)
Highly Commended:
- Community Based Rehabilitation Team
- Rural Community Palliative Care Nurses (Susie Duffin, Ann-Louise Adams, Cathy Martin, Jeanette de Grussa)
Caring for our teams
The award recognises a consistent contribution to inspire a workplace where staff, volunteers and partners thrive and know they are valued.
Winner: Shannon Wallis, Nurse Unit Manager, MeCare
Highly Commended:
- Bill Gotke, Maintenance Officer, Boonah Health Service
- Samantha Woodhouse, Rural Nurse Educator
- Ellen Gielis and Kelly McGowan, Oral Health Co-Directors, Ipswich Oral Health Clinic
Interconnected care
The award recognises high quality healthcare partnerships and the use of technology to deliver integrated care.
Winner: Jo Johnson, Nursing Director & Clinical Transition Coordinator
Highly Commended:
- Social Work Services, Ipswich Hospital (special mention Fiona Demnar)
- Dr Tanusha Ramaloo, GP Liaison Officer
Better care
The award recognises clinical excellence and the delivery of quality, high value care backed by innovation and research.
Winner: Allied Health Brief Therapies Clinic
Highly Commended:
- No Buts for Bubs Program (special mention Sarah Fraser, Cindy Tyson and Lynda Maybanks)
- Rachelle Pitt, Director Research
Caring better for consumers
The award recognises outstanding commitment to making West Moreton Health a safe place for consumers and members of the local community.
Winner: Brisbane Women’s Correctional Centre Nursing Team
Highly Commended:
- Erin Glapiak, Digital Engagement Manager, Strategy Planning and Engagement
Caring better for staff
The award recognises outstanding commitment to making West Moreton Health a safe place for people to work.
Winner: Occupational Violence Prevention Team
Highly Commended:
- Amanda Grech, Principal Organisational Development Specialist
- Maureen Coulson, Coordinator Operational Services – The Park
- Malcolm Axten, Ipswich Hospital Foundation Volunteer, Cars 4 Care
The Board Chair Award
The award recognises an individual or team who has gone above and beyond in service to the West Moreton community.
Winner: Occupational Violence Prevention Team
Highly Commended:
- Erin Glapiak, Digital Engagement Manager, Strategy Planning and Engagement