The District will establish two Institutes of Academic Nursing and Midwifery.  

Sydney Local Health District is set to establish two new bodies to drive awareness of its nursing and midwifery research and innovations.    

Dr Teresa Anderson, Chief Executive, announced planning for two Institutes of Academic Nursing and Midwifery was underway at the Nursing and Midwifery Research Symposium.     

The annual symposium brings together nurses and midwives across the District to showcase outstanding research and practice development spanning mental health, cancer, clinical practice, emergency care and more.    

"It is really about looking at how our research can help to improve not only our clinical services but the way in which our models of care meet the needs of our community," Dr Anderson said.    

"We know that research teaching and clinical practice being integrated is what enables us to provide excellent care to our community."    

Reflecting on her own research in her keynote address to the symposium, registered midwife, public health researcher and Palawa Trawlwoolway woman, Professor Catherine Chamberlain, drew links between  the expertise of Aboriginal wise women and Elders and the roles of nurses and midwives in Western medicine.    

"Nurses and midwives, you are our superheroes for building trust and it's really important," she said.    

"I often hear people say when dealing with complex issues is feeling a helplessness and talking to parents who are facing challenges in their lives hearing 'what can I do, I can't fix all these problems' and it's true but I just want to really emphasis that being caring and compassionate is incredibly powerful and it's a real superpower.    

"It's particularly important in relationships, it helps trauma, it helps people feel safe, valued and respected, and it helps to build the trusting relationships that we need to be able to work with families effectively.    

"It's no accident that you're the most trusted healthcare professional in the country, and it's something incredibly precious."    

Upon completion, the two Institutes of Academic Nursing and Midwifery will be based at RPA and Balmain hospitals and the other at Concord and Canterbury hospitals.     

The new institutes will add to the District's world-class research capabilities, fostering a greater collaborative environment between clinical practice and policy change and providing opportunities for a highly skilled workforce.  

Dr Anderson said the District was working with clinical nursing and midwifery consultants and nurse and midwifery practitioners and others in the development of the institutes. 

"We know that we have the capacity within our nursing and midwifery staff to really continue to provide leadership around integrating research into clinical practice,” Dr Anderson said.  

Several awards were handed out to District nursing and midwifery staff: 

Best Poster Presentation - Alison Wallbank 

Best Oral Presentation - Sally Delaney 

Best Novice Researcher and Innovator - Jennifer Middleton 

Outstanding Achievement - Sheena Lagat