Recognition across five CAA award categories

• New record set of five finalists across 2025 Awards for Excellence in Clinical Practice, Staff Development, Leadership, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Technology.
• Winners to be revealed at the Gala Dinner on August 20 at the prestigious Adelaide Oval.

St John WA has been recognised as a finalist for every award submission it entered into this year’s Council of Ambulance Authorities (CAA) 2025 Awards for Excellence.

Five submissions were entered into the categories of Clinical Practice, Staff Development, Leadership, Mental Health & Wellbeing and Technology, excluding Patient Care. It is the first time SJWA has been a finalist for Excellence in Technology.

Group CEO Kevin Brown said the nominations highlight the organisation’s deep commitment to progress and its people.

“These nominations reflect the spirit of innovation and care that drives St John WA. We continue to lead by evolving our services—putting wellbeing, safety and clinical excellence at the forefront of everything we do,” Mr Brown said.

The five nominations set a new record and were chosen out of 46 submissions collectively.

The winners will be revealed at the 2025 Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on August 20 at the Adelaide Oval.

Congratulations to:

• Medical Director Gayle Christie and her team for the nomination in Clinical Practice: The Extended Care Paramedics trial achieved a 72 per cent success rate in treating patients on-site or via alternative care pathways, reducing unnecessary ED presentations. The pilot has strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced paramedic practice, with frontline-led innovation and targeted training driving improved patient outcomes.
• FDV Program Lead Alex French and team for the nomination in Staff Development: St John WA, in partnership with SFV and CSI UWA, launched the first structured Family and Domestic Violence education program for ambulance responders, including regional volunteers. This sector-first initiative equips crews with the skills to recognise, assess, and respond to FDV, filling a critical gap in Australasian ambulance training.
• General Manager of Rural and Remote Operations Karen Stewart for the nomination in Leadership: St John WA became the first Australian emergency service to earn Menopause Friendly Accreditation in 2025, championing inclusivity and support for menopausal staff. Led by Karen, the initiative includes training, leadership advocacy, and education, breaking workplace stigma and setting a national benchmark in health sector support.
• Injury Management Lead Michael Newbound and team for the nomination in Mental Health & Wellbeing: The Early Intervention Physiotherapy Program (EIPP), launched in April 2024, significantly reduced Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) by 66 per cent. The program offers immediate, no-cost physiotherapy via 24/7 telehealth, complementing existing psychosocial support to better manage workplace injuries and reduce reliance on workers compensation claims.
• Senior Manager Patient Safety and Quality Lauren Davids and team for the nomination in Technology: Having transformed Clinical Incident Management by launching a bespoke MyOSH system tailored to ambulance-specific needs, enabling real-time reporting, advanced analytics, and shared accountability. This innovation has strengthened safety culture, improved data-driven learning, and enhanced patient care across its geographically dispersed workforce.