In Safe Hands - Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR) took out the Health Minister's Award for Innovation at this month's NSW Health Innovation Awards.

Health Minister Jillian Skinner was impressed by SIBR from the moment she saw it in action at Orange Hospital. Mrs Skinner said SIBR directly involved key doctors, nurses and allied health professionals in the care of patients.

"As a team, they meet with patients and their family members on the ward as part of a structured round to share and cross-check information gained from the previous day's care," she said.

"This is an innovative, collaborative way to care for patients and it fosters the development of better relationships between doctors, nurses and allied health workers."

The LHD picked up two other awards at the ceremony at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Orange-based Wendy Robinson, a nurse unit manager in Community Mental Health Services, was named NSW Staff Member of the Year.

"Wendy was nominated by her colleagues as she is a positive role model for staff in Orange, Cowra, Bathurst, Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin Community Mental Health units," Mrs Skinner said.

"I'm told her innovative thinking has inspired many in those facilities to strive for enhanced patient care as well as a better workplace culture."

Dr Gabriel Shannon was named Collab- orative Leader of the Year.

"Dr Shannon has played an integral role in the improvement of patient safety and clinical quality over many years at Western NSW," Mrs Skinner said.

"Amongst many other achievements, Dr Shannon in collaboration with Dr Darryl Mackender has developed the award-winning SIBR program."

LHD chief executive Scott McLachlan said this week he was keen "for a ward in Dubbo and Bathurst as well as other health facilities to implement and localise the SIBR program".