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Guardian
Ashburton
www.guardianONLINE.co.nz
Thursday, January 31, 2013
FIRST PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 27, 1879
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Resident anaesthetists given chop By Sam Morton Rostered Christchurch anaesthetists will cover the void left at Ashburton Hospital when surgery resumes, as the Canterbury District Health Board looks to centralise specialist health services. Last year, a dark cloud of uncertainty hovered over the Ashburton team of three anaesthetists who have worked at the hospital for several years – but it appears their fate has finally been sealed. CDHB chief medical officer Nigel Millar confirmed the former anaesthetists had ceased employment with the DHB, but refused to say if the decision was by choice or through redundancy. The shake-up is part of the CDHB’s drive to ensure that centres such as Ashburton still receive a high standard of care, in line with plans to centralise specialist services and implement them on an on call basis. “Specialist anaesthetists employed by the DHB, generally from Christchurch, will travel down on a regular basis once the theatre block is rebuilt,” Dr Millar said. “The services will still be delivered at the hospital, but it is more than likely anaesthetists from Christchurch will fill the gap. We also have other back-up options in our extremely skilled
rural medicine specialists based at the hospital full-time, who are qualified to deal with emergency situations.” Following the theatre block closure in January, the Ashburton based anaesthetists continued their job running outpatient clinics and palliative care programmes. They also helped treat patients undergoing surgery, helping to stabilise seriously ill patients prior to their transfer to Christchurch. It is understood the anaesthetists left their posts before Christmas. Ashburton hospital clinical director Scott Wilson, who oversees the team of four specialists, believes the new model of care is the future for most rural hospitals. “Anaesthetists can never be replaced in a procedural manner and that is why we will work closely with teams from Christchurch, but in terms of stabilising patients and preparing them for surgical transfers – our team are more than qualified to assist in that regard,” he said. “Centralising these services looks to be the future, but we’re kind of at the sharper end of the stick at the moment as all three of our resident anaesthetists have left and we are having to work around that. “Other rural hospitals are going through the same process too, but they still have one or two
anaesthetists on board during the transition, so I expect it will be slightly smoother,” Dr Wilson said. Despite losing three highly skilled anaesthetists from the district, Dr Millar remained upbeat about the decision and was confident the standard of care delivered would be uncompromised. “They (rural specialists) are highly skilled doctors who are well equipped to deal with emergencies, provide treatment and give accurate diagnoses, where possible. “They are a real asset to the hospital and I see them working in closely with the specialists at Christchurch Hospital long into the future, providing leads for the district and the rest of the country,” Dr Millar said. “At the moment the demand for anaesthesia services is quite limited in Ashburton and we’re really in a holding pattern until we can get the theatres re-established. (But), under this new model of centralisation, there is no uncertainty hanging over it. “The new model will involve regular visits from specialist anaesthetists and it will provide the best balance for Ashburton people to have the services close to home, if appropriate,” he said. However, Dr Millar was unable to elaborate on when the theatre block was likely to be rebuilt, but believed a date had been discussed by management.
Photos Tetsuro Mitomo 300113-TM-078
Locals look for ways to cool off Temperatures soared to 30 degrees in Ashburton yesterday, as recorded by the East Street Heartland Bank digital thermometer (right). It forced Mid Cantabrians to look for ways to cool off. Five-year-old Ella Bradley (above) stopped for a splash at Ashburton’s East Street water feature as she and her mum Laurene and baby brother Liam walked by. Laurene said the temperatures were proving too hot for her children. “They want to go outside, but it’s too hot outside,” she said. It did not get as hot as expected however, with forecasts of temperatures reaching 40 degrees earlier in the day not coming to fruition.
Leadership qualities put to the test ONLINE.co.nz
By Myles Hume
RIGHT: Ashburton College head boy Kane Olsen (left) and head girl Finau Fakapelea load up the bus before they join 61 other pupils to head to leadership camp at Living Springs yesterday. Photo Myles Hume 300113-MH-004
It is a chance for some to shine and for others to reinforce their leading qualities at the Ashburton College Leadership Camp this week. Head boy Kane Olsen and head girl Finau Fakapelea joined 61 other year 13 pupils, who left Ashburton yesterday to embark on a three-day camp at Living Springs, all looking to take on leadership roles in the college. Eight house leader roles and eight spots on the student executive are up for grabs, as the pupils test their leadership qualities under physical and mental pressure.
To see or purchase more photos Year 13 tutor Ron Carlson, who was instrumental in organising the camp, said there were many teens who emerged as leaders on the camp, despite their limited involvement in previous years. “There are some who have had other commitments in the past who couldn’t do much around
the school but have done what they needed to do,” Mr Carlson said. “On the camp we sit back and observe who takes on roles and how other respond. “We then debrief them afterwards to see what they noticed to try and get them thinking along the lines of who is a leader
so it’s not a popularity vote but voting for someone who can do a reasonable job.” Kane and Finau will be keeping an eye out for fellow pupils to join their executive, however they both admitted there was an expectation for them to show their qualities. “I’m wanting to learn some new leadership techniques to help me deal with different situations so I can grow into the role this year,” Kane, the college head boy, said. Finau said “it was all part of the job” dealing with various situations and she was hoping to use the camp as a launch pad to lead the college for 2013. Pupils will return from the camp tomorrow.
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