We feel that it is important to publicly acknowledge the skill and dedication that service providers have demonstrated in their service delivery. In addition, we hope to encourage other Mental Health Professionals to appreciate the value of supporting the entire family in the treatment of a person with a mental illness.


Therefore, I am very pleased to announce that this years ARAFMI (WA) Inc. "Mental Health Professional - Excellence of Family Service" award, was presented to Mr Noel Herbert, an Enrolled Nurse with the Alma Street Clinic at Fremantle Hospital and Health Service. The award was presented by the Hon. John Day, State Minister for Health during the launch of Mental Health week 2000.

This is a very important award which acknowledges the skill and dedication of those service providers who demonstrate family sensitive practice. In addition, we hope it encourages other mental health professionals to appreciate the value of supporting the entire family in the treatment of a person with a mental illness.

This year's ARAFMI "Mental Health Professional - Excellence of Family Service" award, was presented to Mr. Noel Herbert, an enrolled nurse with the Alma Street Clinic at Fremantle Hospital and Health Service. The award was presented by the Hon. John Day, State Minister for Health during the launch of Mental Health Week 2000.

Noel was nominated by Tony and Lesley Gibbs. When a family member was admitted to one of the wards earlier this year, Noel was assigned as the Primary Nurse. During the following five weeks, a most traumatic time in all the families lives, Noel always seemed to be there to pick up the pieces. He not only cared for their relative in a most sensitive manner, but he also never missed an opportunity to ask the family how they were coping and give feedback on any changes made or improvement in her condition.

To quote the family, "On one occasion in particular, this family member had become hysterical over some seemingly minor event. He just quietly talked her through it, allaying her fears and calming her. After thirty years as a Health Professional, Lesley was extremely impressed to observe such skills and compassion in a nurse of Noel's age."

In Summary, Tony and Lesley would like to say "While Noel is an enrolled nurse, he has a huge understanding and empathy for patients and their families. He is very knowledgeable about the disease processes of his patients and all aspects of the medications they take. We have nothing but admiration for the professionalism of this young man. As a family, we could never have survived "our" stay without Noel."

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