THE vital work of nurses and midwives from the Perth Hills to the Wheatbelt is to be recognised with the launch of a new nursing award.

The Bullwinkel Nursing Awards will be sponsored by registered nurse and Bullwinkel MP Trish Cook.

“I know that the work of nurses, midwives and health professionals is hugely important to the wellbeing of our community and often goes unrecognised. These awards aim to shine a light on the exceptional and humble individuals who go above and beyond to care for their patients across the Bullwinkel electorate,” Ms Cook said.

The Bullwinkel Nursing Awards will recognise the extraordinary care, compassion and commitment to health demonstrated by nurse and midwives in the electorate.

The electorate of Bullwinkel is named after WWII heroine, Lt Col Vivian Bullwinkel, a nurse who demonstrated extraordinary acts of compassion, care and heroism as the sole survivor of the Bangka Island Massacre and a prisoner of war.

Ms Cook is a registered nurse, who worked in remote area nursing and occupational health before moving into research, where her PhD focuses on patient experiences of home-based immunotherapy treatments.

“The Bullwinkel Nursing Awards are a wonderful opportunity for patients, colleagues and community members to nominate exceptionally caring individuals working across a range of specialities and settings in our constituency,” she said.

Nominations are invited in the following excellence categories: Enrolled nursing care, registered nursing care, residential/aged care nursing, Aboriginal health nursing, community care nursing and midwifery care.

The inaugural awards will recognise the extraordinary care, compassion and professionalism shown by registered nurses, enrolled nurses and midwives living and/or working across the Bullwinkel electorate.

Nominations are now open and close on August 28.

For terms and conditions, and to apply, the dedicated webpage has more details.