Nominations for the 2020 Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner Excellence Awards open today.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a reduced awards program, with two student award categories.

The categories are:

o      Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker

o      Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner

NT Health Chief Executive, Professor Catherine Stoddart said the awards acknowledge the on-going commitment and dedication of Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to their studies in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care training package.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners play a vital role in the delivery of health services across the Northern Territory to clients in urban, regional and remote areas,” she said.

“They are often the first point of contact for people seeking health services, and provide a conduit between traditional health and western medical services.

“These awards recognise the professionalism and the contribution being made by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners every day to the well-being of so many of their fellow Territorians.”

The award categories are designed to recognise the emerging leaders of the Territory’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker and Practitioner workforce.

To be eligible for the 2020 awards, students must be Northern Territory Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents studying qualifications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care training package in two categories:

o      Student Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker

Students studying (non-regulated profession) qualifications that reflect the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers providing a range of primary health care services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.

o      Student Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner

Students studying (regulated profession) qualifications that reflect the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners providing a range of clinical primary health care practice services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, including specific health care programs, advice and assistance with, and administration of, medication.

The Student Award was introduced as a category last year and is supported by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association.

The Awards are held in partnership with NT Health and the Australian Government Department of Health, Rotary Club of Darwin Sunrise, United Voice and Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Association.

Nominations are open now until Sunday, 25 October 2020. Award recipients will be announced at a presentation to be held in Darwin on Thursday, 26 November 2020.

For more information and to submit a nomination, visit https://health.nt.gov.au/professionals/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-health-worker-and-practitioner-excellence-awards, or contact Aboriginal Workforce Development on atsihpexcellenceawards.doh@nt.gov.au or (08) 8999 2999.

MEDIA CONTACT: Fred McCue 0427 584 040