STAFF and volunteers from across New South Wales have been celebrated for their dedication, care, kindness, innovation and remarkable accomplishments at the 2025 NSW Health Awards, held at the International Convention Centre recently.

Hunter New England Local Health District received the Excellence in the Provision of Mental Health Services Award for its Farmgate Support Program; Environmental Sustainability Award for Gloves Off! Clean Hands Safe for All; and the People and Culture Award for the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus.

The awards recognise the people, teams and programs making a significant positive impact on the health and wellbeing of patients right across New South Wales.

Some of the innovative projects to win awards across the 15 categories included a world-first clinical study developing 3D bioprinting skin out of a patient’s own skin cells to revolutionise burn and wound care and a program making it easier for people with intellectual disabilities to have blood tests outside of the hospital setting, boasting a 84 per cent success rate.

Awards were presented by Minister for Health Ryan Park, Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Regional Health Dr Michael Holland and NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce.

A total of 198 nominations were received across 15 categories.

The full list of winners and finalists and their projects is available HERE.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park, congratulated all winners and all finalists.

“I would particularly like to highlight the great work of proud Dharug Woman, Nicole Winters, from Western Sydney Local Health District, who was named Staff Member of the Year for her work to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard and respected in care planning especially in shaping culturally safe, respectful, and compassionate end-of-life care,” Mr Park said.

“It’s also fantastic to see those winners from rural and regional areas, highlighting the great care available to communities right across the state.”

Hunter New England Local Health District won three awards, including the People and Culture Award for the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus.

Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson, congratulated the Hunter New England Local Health District team for winning the mental health services award for their Farmgate Support Program.

“It’s fantastic to see local initiatives making a real difference in people’s lives,” she said.

“Farmers and rural communities face pressures that most of us don’t see, this program has been there to support their mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s made a real difference in the community with more than 80 per cent saying their wellbeing has improved from the service. That’s powerful.

“Across every nomination in this award category we have seen exemplary examples of patient care so I personally want to thank all the finalists for their dedication to providing compassionate mental health services right across the state,” she said.

Minister for Medical Research David Harris said South Western Sydney Local Health District was a deserving winner of the Health Research category for their ground-breaking work to create a new Nurse-led Geriatric Oncology Model of Care.

“This supports identification and management of age-related health issues often missed in standard oncology care and delivers improved clinical outcomes for patients,” Mr Harris said.

“The work in South Western Sydney Local Health District reflects many of the amazing initiatives underway in our state, which are helping position NSW as a world leader in health and medical research.”

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce said she is incredibly proud to celebrate the people and teams in NSW Health who are enriching health in millions of ways every day.

“From our steadfast volunteers to our clinical treating teams who are there caring for patients and everyone else who works tirelessly to support patients and staff in our health system right across the state,” Ms Pearce said.

“I was honoured to announce The Bundaleer Project as the winner of this year’s Secretary Award. It’s an inspiring initiative which not only drives sustainability but also empowers First Nations patients to connect with Country, encourages hands-on engagement and supports community rehabilitation and recovery.

“All of the nominees, finalists and winners reflect the incredible work our people do, in a wide variety of roles right across the public health system, and I thank them sincerely for it,” she said.