State Member for Mulgrave

Media release

From Daniel Andrews MP

State Member for Mulgrave

Parliamentary Secretary for Health

Thursday, 8 December 2005

NEW TRAVELLING FELLOWS TO BRING BEST OF HEALTH HOME

Nine of Victoria’s most promising public health professionals, clinicians and managers will share travelling fellowships worth a total of $110,000 to bring world’s best health practices home.

Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Daniel Andrews, today said patients would benefit most from the State-funded Victorian Travelling Fellowship Program.

Awarding this year’s fellowships, supported by the Victorian Quality Council, Mr Andrews said the Bracks Government’s aim was to achieve the highest quality health service.

“The 12-week fellowships enable recipients to visit countries of their choice to broaden their knowledge and experience,” he said.

New recipients will visit the USA, UK, Canada and Belgium to study cutting-edge patient safety, quality improvement, workforce design or system measurement. These Travelling Fellows are:

·  Susan Brumby (Community Services, Western District Health Service),

·  Sandra Davis (Bundoora Extended Care Centre, Northern Health);

·  Margaret Foulds and Fiona Whitecross (The Alfred Hospital, Bayside Health);

·  Felicity Lawrence (Victorian Dual Disability Service, St Vincent’s Health);

·  Angela Murray (The Alfred/National Trauma Research Institute, Bayside Health);

·  Melita Van de Vreede, The Alfred Hospital, Bayside Health);

·  Justin Walter (Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, Little Company of Mary HealthCare);

·  Frances Wise (Caulfield General Medical Centre, Bayside Health).

Mr Andrews said what they learned would be integral to our healthcare services’ innovative work. “Their capacity to inspire, motivate and turn this innovation into everyday practice will be critical.

“The impact has been impressive, as returning Fellows have applied their newfound knowledge to their own organisations and for the benefit of their community.”

He cited the success of 2003 recipient Jenny Trezise to show the ripple effect of these fellowships.

“Back home, Jenny initiated Community Kitchens in the Frankston area. This year, her idea won a National Heart Foundation award plus a Victorian Public Healthcare Awards high commendation.

“On top of that, Jenny was one of only three health professionals short-listed in the latter event’s Health Minister’s Awards for outstanding individual achievement last month,” Mr Andrews said.

Contact: Daniel Andrews on 9548 5644 www.vic.gov.au