Country health nurses shine bright at WA Nursing and Midwifery Awards

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) staff have once again done regional communities proud with two country nurses named winners in the 2024 WA Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Awards.

Now in their 20th year, the awards recognise the incredible work nurses and midwives do every day to support the health and wellbeing of their communities.

Fielding five finalists across three categories, Lesley Forrester and Claire Easter took home awards in Excellence in Rural and Remote Health and Excellence in Leadership respectively.

Clinical Nurse Manager Lesley Forrester is recognised as not only a well-respected leader, but a long standing one, having been a strong advocate for patients in the Great Southern for the past 22 years.

An integral part of the Great Southern Palliative Care Service, Lesley has made it her life’s work to provide country patients with the very best in evidence-based and culturally sensitive palliative care.

Goldfields Clinical Nurse Manager Claire Easter took out the award for Excellence in Leadership, in recognition of her management in paediatrics at Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

Originally only heading to the Goldfields for a three-month stint, Claire has now spent over 20 years caring for the people of Kalgoorlie and is well-known for her joyful and honest approach to building positive relationships with children and families, the community and health leaders to achieve the best possible outcomes.

WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said the winners were extraordinary professionals and highly representative of all country nurses and midwives.

“We’re incredibly proud, not only of our two winners and five finalists but of the entire nursing and midwifery workforce.

“The work they do to save lives, manage end of life care and bring new ones into the world is so valued by us and by the communities they live and work in.”