Sunshine Hospital Comfort Care for Families Program has been honoured for its support of newborns in the special care nursery during the 2010 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards.In a special presentation at Parliament House yesterday, Health Minister Daniel Andrews paid tribute to the many dedicated volunteers who make a tireless contribution to public healthcare each day.
"I want to thank all of our hard-working and dedicated volunteers for their efforts in helping patients and their loved ones, and the varied and important roles they play in the Victorian health system," Mr Andrews said.
"Every community in metropolitan and regional Victoria has many unsung heroes who lend a hand, give up their time, and offer their skills to support patients, hospitals, health services and each other.
"This outstanding service and support helps people at their lowest ebb, and makes a good health system so much better."
Mr Andrews said Sunshine Hospital's Comfort Care for Families Program has been operating for more than eight years.
"Volunteers support families of babies suffering primarily from neo natal abstinence syndrome. This syndrome affects babies born to mothers who are undertaking a methadone program or have used other opiates during their pregnancy," he said.
"The team consists of 12 specialist volunteers and provides comfort to the babies by nursing, rocking and providing a soothing environment that helps to calm and settle the infant.
"The comfort care volunteer team provides much needed assistance to families through rotating shifts in the Special Care Nursery."
Mr Andrews said the awards, now in their second year, were established to celebrate and acknowledge the significant volunteer health assistance provided each day in communities across the state.
"These extraordinary achievements by individuals and teams of volunteers are made by people who are dedicated and passionate about helping others," he said.
"The awards honour the vital role of volunteers and the impact they have on the quality of care to patients, clients, families and the community."
The 2010 awards received 65 nominations from 44 different metropolitan, regional, rural and primary health services. Categories included outstanding achievement by an individual volunteer and outstanding achievement by a team. A total of 20 awards were presented.