Nambour nurse recognised in Queensland Community Achievement Awards

Nambour emergency nurse Joseph Jennings has been nominated for a statewide award recognising people who strengthen regional communities.

Mr Jennings has been nominated for the UQ Skills Regional Community Impact Award in the 2026 7NEWS Queensland Community Achievement Awards.

He has worked as a registered nurse in the Nambour General Hospital emergency department for four years, with a particular focus on infection prevention and control and intravenous cannulation.

His nomination highlights his work promoting “bare below the elbows” practices to improve staff hand hygiene and reduce infection risks.

He and his colleagues also provide infection-control education and practical training in safe IV cannulation for nurses, doctors and nursing students.

The emergency department has maintained hand hygiene compliance above the national benchmark of 80 per cent for the past two years. Its work has been recognised with a trophy from the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s Infection Management Service.

Mr Jennings has also advocated for measures to reduce sensory overload among elderly patients and people experiencing dementia or delirium in the emergency department.

These include soft music, dimmed lighting and earplugs to encourage sleep and reduce distress. His nomination describes one case in which relaxing music helped settle a patient experiencing neurological problems, pain and severe restless legs.

Originally from India, Mr Jennings brought experience in critical care and managing the COVID-19 pandemic when he moved to Australia five years ago. He initially worked in Far North Queensland before settling in Nambour.

He recently completed the American College of Surgeons’ Stop the Bleed course and plans to provide community education about controlling serious bleeding.

Mr Jennings is also involved with the Nambour Orchid Society and Nambour Floral Society, completed the Sunshine Coast Half Marathon this year and received the People’s Choice Award in a Nambour photography competition.

He was also presented with the Nightingale Award at the Nicklin Above and Beyond Awards earlier this month for his contribution to nursing and patient care.

For more info on the awards go to: www.awardsaustralia.com/community-achievement-awards

Joseph Jennings at the local Above & Beyond Awards where he won the Nightingale Award.