New England palliative care nurse, midwife nominated for NSW Health awards

The palliative care nurse is one of two local nurses who have been recognised by colleagues - and patients - for going above the call of duty.

Ms Newton and Tamworth nurse Joanne Blake are among 24 finalists nominated from across the state for the 2020 NSW Health Excellence in Nursing and Midwifery Awards.

One is responsible for birth, the other death.

The clinical nurse specialist in palliative care with Armidale Community Health Services said death is part of the "life journey". She's passionate about giving people a good death.

"It's all about privilege, honestly we are involved in such an intimate part of the whole life cycle. It really is lovely to be on that journey with families," said Ms Newton.

The Armidale nurse does not know who nominated her, but it's not likely to be a patient.

She said it was a special honour to know she had helped someone die so well someone close to them recommended her for an award.

"To actually get nominated by a consumer is absolutely amazing," she said.

"The thought that someone, even when they've had this massive loss, can put pen to paper to nominate a nurse - I was like mind-blown when I got the email."

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While Ms Newton helps people at the end of their life, Joanne Blake, a Clinical Midwifery Specialist at Tamworth Community Health's Aboriginal Mothers and Babies Service, helps bring them into the world.

She works in ante-natal care - helping families with new babies until they're about eight weeks old. She cared for about 120 newborns in 2019, for some of the parents it was the second or third time.

Seeing the same mum with her first child come back for a second and then a third gradually building confidence is an incredible experience. It's the best part of the job, she said.

"It's the mums and the bubs and the families and seeing them all grow up."

Asked how she felt about being nominated for the award, she described herself as "pretty freaked out really, because I don't think I do anything that's any better than anyone else up here. It was a bit of a shock!"

The awards will be announced in a virtual ceremony streamed on November 26.

There are more than 53,000 nurses and midwives working in NSW Health hospitals and health services across the state.

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