Excellence in strengthening partnerships

This award recognises teams that are building or strengthening relationships with our external community, partners and stakeholders to improve the delivery of health care.

Meet our 2026 winner

Cockburn Health Women's Mental Health Service – South Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health

This service places women at the centre of care by working in partnership with a wide network of community, cultural, lived experience, academic and specialist services across the state.

Strong relationships with women’s health, family and domestic violence, and other community support services help ensure holistic, trauma‑informed and culturally responsive, providing real-world support that extends beyond the patient’s admission.

Lived experience partners provide peer support, shared understanding and hope during the care journey, including group therapy programs. Academic partnerships strengthen learning and help the service grow in response to women’s needs, while collaboration with community organisations supports smoother transitions back into everyday life.

These strong partnerships have fostered a sense of pride, unity and shared goals to create care that is connected, respectful and responsive. This ensures women, partners and staff feel safe, empowered, valued and proud to belong.

Congratulations to our other finalists:

• Peel Mental Health Taskforce – South Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health
• Youth Reach South – South Metropolitan Health Service Mental Health

See other 2026 Excellence Award winners and read about our sponsors.