Northern Health’s Anglican and palliative care chaplain, Reverend Melanie Moore, was recently awarded the Best of Care Award 2023 by Spiritual Care Australia (SCA).
Ms Moore was presented with this honour at the SCA Conference earlier this year for her best practice and excellence within the spiritual care sector.
“I feel humbled and honoured. I am thankful for being nominated and for working with such wonderful people across many disciplines within Northern Health,” Ms Moore said.
Ms Moore has been delivering spiritual care at Northern Health since 2006, promoting spiritual wellbeing and continuity of care to a diverse range of patients, their support network and staff.
Ms Moore spends most of her time in the palliative care unit at Northern Hospital Epping, supporting the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of patients, their loved ones and staff.
As an Anglican priest, she also supports patients who request rituals in the Anglican faith tradition and leads bereavement support service to care for the next of kin patient who has died on the ward.
“The role is varied, and I love it,” she said.
“The rewards are numerous. I absolutely love the way that person centred listening, compassion, and support can bring hope, peace and resilience for our patients and their support people.
“A great reward is working with such dedicated staff who share my love in caring for and supporting others, it’s not just a job.”
Spiritual care co-ordinator Natalia Dewiyani congratulated Ms Moore on her achievement.
“She has dedicated herself to Northern Health for 17 years. Winning the national award is an outstanding achievement and a testament of her excellent care and dedication,” Ms Dewiyani said.
