Royal Prince Alfred and Liverpool Intensive Care, Perfusion and Cardiothoracic staff were part of a state-wide team of healthcare specialists who made up the ECMO/Critical Care Response Team.

The team was presented with the Director General's special Excellence Award.

SSWAHS chief executive Mike Wallace congratulated the winners.

``The hard work, effort and medical expertise of our team throughout the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza saved many lives and deserves this level of recognition,'' he said.

SSWAHS recorded 352 patients with swine flu were admitted to hospital during June/July this year - the highest number of any area health service in NSW.

Two of these patients were treated at Liverpool Hospital.

The swine flu vaccine is now available for all Indigenous people aged 10 years and older. Other priority groups for vaccination include front line health care workers, people with underlying chronic medical conditions, and parents and guardians of children aged 0-6 months.