Canterbury DHB CEO Update 15 June 2015

CEO Update Monday 15 June 2015

Faster Cancer Treatment I’m almost certain cancer will have affected most of us in one way or another – whether directly or indirectly. It is the country’s leading cause of death (30 percent) and a major cause of hospitalisation. This is only expected to grow – mostly due to lifestyle factors affecting our health leading to obesity, which causes heart disease, diabetes and is increasingly linked to cancer. As demand for prompt, effective treatment and care climbs, so does the need to improve the quality and timeliness of services for patients along the cancer pathway. However, before I go into what we’re doing to ensure that happens, I just want to highlight the importance of looking after ourselves, not only for our general well-being but also as a preventative measure against disease. Exercise is crucial to helping us feel better but so is eating well. Often we’re too busy and we don’t always stop to think about what we’re eating. We grab that pie or cake and wolf it down because we’ve been rushing all day and are now starving - I know I’m guilty of that. But just a little bit of thought and preparation can go a long way towards improving your diet and overall general health, and decrease your risk of disease. You may like to sign up to Junk Free June to kick off a more conscious effort towards improving your eating habits. The benefits of whole foods have been regularly linked with helping people prevent and fight disease but of course, when that isn’t enough, medical

interventions will be required and our staff are some of the best at providing the care needed. Spotlight on: Faster Cancer Treatment I want to congratulate staff for their efforts towards ensuring the best for our patients through the Faster Cancer Treatment programme. It is one of our five key themes and focuses on improving cancer diagnostic and treatment services. It’s designed to reduce waiting times for appointments, tests and treatment and standardise care pathways for cancer patients wherever they live. It links with a whole range of initiatives designed to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer and support for patients and their families. Canterbury DHB has been working with other DHBs in the Southern Cancer Network and together we have developed agreement on a joint set of project proposals including improving the way we work in primary health, laboratories and radiology. The Faster Cancer Treatment programme works towards reduced resource wastage; decreased avoidable mortality and decreased wait times. It ties in closely with the 100 Days and Theatre Utilisation themes, which all need to be working effectively to ensure they are achieved. To help us understand what we’re doing differently, let’s take a closer look from a

patient’s perspective. Our hypothetical patient John is concerned about a possibly cancerous lump. Before John’s General Practitioner would have referred him to the General Surgery department. His referral would be triaged as urgent and he would be placed on the outpatient waiting list for a new patient appointment. At his new patient appointment, further tests would be ordered. When tests confirmed John had a bowel cancer, he would then be referred to the Oncology department where he was considered for both radiation therapy and chemotherapy alongside surgery. John had a further consultation where he could discuss the range of treatment options available. Each time John was referred to a new service the wait times would be reset to 0, but of course for John it was all a continuation of the same journey. As John moved from service to service he received support within each department but no one person was responsible for supporting him along his journey Now John’s General Practitioner has a new option of indicating if he considers John’s condition as “Highly Suspicious of Cancer” on his referral. In John’s case the triaging consultant agrees. ›› Article continues on page 2

In this issue »» All Right? app designed to improve mental health and wellbeing in Canterbury...page 2.

»» Monday’s facilities fast facts...page 3.

»» Sign up now for Dry July...page 6.

»» Team SI PICS cook up a storm in aid of charity...page 5.

»» ISG Support and Training Team...page 12.

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CEO Update ›› Article continued from page 1

From this date his treatment should now start within 62 days. The Cancer Nurse Co-ordinator (CNC) with responsibility for all bowel cancer patients has access to the referral and triaging information and is able to support John all the way through his journey. The CNC will work with the teams looking after John and helps optimise appointment dates and work with appropriate health professionals to resolve any issues he may have. The focus is now on supporting our patients by tumour stream across multiple specialities. The national tumour standards, which describe the level of service that a person with cancer should be able to access, are now available. They are being increasingly used by the DHBs as a benchmark for high quality care for different types of cancer.

John has further tests confirming he has a bowel cancer and his case is presented at a Multi-Disciplinary Meeting (MDM) attended by surgeons, oncologists, nurses, pathologists, radiologists and other health professionals. During this discussion a surgeon with an interest in John’s case uses the updated technology to join the MDM by videoconference. A treatment plan is agreed, which is then discussed with John. This outcome is now documented and available on Health Connect South as part of John’s record. If John’s General Practitioner would like more information the CNC has set up links via Healthpathways.

begin within 31 days. Part of John’s treatment involves chemotherapy and he is now able to be supported by Oncology Outreach nurses who support him to remain at home throughout his daily treatments. This is another example of putting the patient at the centre of what we do and how smart use of technology and better integration of services can improve their health journey. We have made huge progress in doing better for cancer patients and I proud of that. I am also confident that with our innovative approach, and talented, nimble-thinking staff we can do better still.

John meets with his consultant and agrees with the recommended plan. From this point his treatment should David Meates

CEO Canterbury District Health Board

New smartphone app designed to improve mental health and wellbeing in Canterbury All Right? is launching a new app to encourage Cantabrians to look after their mental health and wellbeing. The app will be available from 15 June 2015 via the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android phones. It is the latest tool from All Right? which was set up to help Cantabrians recover from the emotional effects of the earthquakes and related stressors.

“The missions are all related to the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ which were put together by the New Economics Foundation in the United Kingdom after an enormous research project into the things we can do to improve our wellbeing,” says Lucy.

All Right? Public Health Specialist Lucy D’Aeth says that the app is a fun way to encourage people to practice things that will make them feel better. “There is plenty of evidence that being proactive about caring for wellbeing can give us a real boost, even when times are stressful. While there’s no magic wand or bullet to ensure good mental health and wellbeing, taking a few simple steps each day to care for ourselves can help us feel better and cope better with the challenges life throws at us. We want people to use the app as a means to improving their mental wellbeing in a busy and sometimes stressful world,” says Lucy. The app offers users an easy ‘mini mission’ each day. The missions are small actions that international research shows improve mental health and wellbeing. As people complete missions, the app rewards them with positive feedback and bead-filled hearts that show how many goals they’ve reached.

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Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Facilities Fast Facts Burwood This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s site pictures show the old kitchens at Burwood finally being flattened (the new Back of House building, with the new kitchens, is in the background), and the project site office increasingly dwarfed by the new outpatients block. The third photo is a view of one of the ward bedrooms, showing progress on the internal fit-out, including painting and joinery units. At this stage in the project all the major decisions about room layouts, fixtures and fittings have been made and are not changing.

Christchurch User group news The Outpatients User Group went to the Design Lab this week to mock up and test some general rooms, such as a consult room, treatment room, dirty utility, clean utility and a medication room. The group compared room layouts from Hagley Outpatients, the future Acute Services building and the new Burwood facilities. The group aims to use the design experience of their colleagues from the current facilities developments and to draw on their own experience of what works well and not so well with the Hagley design. The group will start to work with the architects and health planners on the Outpatients facility in the coming weeks. On site, contractors continue to prepare the ground ahead of the foundations being constructed. The new site sewer system is now in operation and the old one has been removed. The next significant piece of work is the creation of a new turning circle for vehicles to use the relocated dirty dock, behind the Riverside building. A note about roadworks During June SCIRT is planning to finish all the sewer renewal work at a number of work sites in the central city. There will be delay to travel times. There is more information on the SCIRT website.

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Bouquets Canterbury Community Radiology, Papanui Road, Christchurch Very friendly staff, appointment was on time, thanks. Hugely impressed with the student who was very professional and caring (Yufei). Plastic Surgery Outpatients, Christchurch Hospital Have been very impressed with the professional, caring treatment that I have received over the past month. Thank you all so much. Wards 17, 23, 24 and 28, Christchurch Hospital I find it very hard to express how I feel. However, a Thank you – Love – Compassion – Kindness – Caring – Smiles – Laughter etc are a small way of how you have treated my wife…. and myself during our difficult start to a new situation. Thank you. Ward 28, Christchurch Hospital The staff in Ward 28 are as good as you will find anywhere in the world. Thanks. Ward 15, Christchurch Hospital Food is very good… don’t change the system. Ward 12, Christchurch Hospital Very lovely staff, friendly. Absolutely love the assistants. Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital Terrific staff making a difficult day not so bad – thanks. Respiratory, Christchurch Hospital Good work, well done – excellent service. Radiology, Christchurch Hospital I wish to thank the staff that treated me. The service I received is second

to none, absolutely amazing staff who do such a tough but amazing job. They made being treated the highlight of my trip, especially Nicole and Mel on T4 who made it so no matter what, I left with a smile. Also the receptionists here are both warm and friendly – will actually miss coming in. Oncology, Christchurch Hospital Excellent. Staff the best. Thank you all so much for your care and understanding from both of us, you took excellent care of us both. No praise too high for staff on this unit. Day Surgery/ Recovery, Christchurch Women’s Hospital Love all of the helpful, friendly volunteers who are always available to help with info for people out of the area like us. Awesome nurses, doctors, surgeons too. Special mention of Diane and Mary in Paediatrics and recovery, Dr Rebecca Stack in Ophthalmology, Will in recovery – fantastic information and communication. Diane and Mary went the extra distance for us every time – I had a child in day surgery and a newborn baby with me.

To Christchurch Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, Ward 19 and Ward 10 Expressing gratitude and thanks We are three retired Israeli couples: Keren Liora and Lior, Levi Reni and Arie, Adiri Julia and Dror Ran who arrived to tour New Zealand and ended up in a terrible car accident, requiring an extended hospital stay. We wanted to express our deepest gratitude to the wonderful doctors, nurses and entire staff of the various wards for their high level of professional care, and for their exceptional devotion and sensitivity to the patient and her health. We’d like to especially thank the ICU ward for saving the life of Reni Levi through numerous surgeries performed by doctors of the highest calibre, and for the supremely dedicated daily care of the nurses, who didn’t leave her side for days on end. This is but a small expression of our heartfelt thanks to the superb and professional staff of the various wards in your excellent hospital.

Orderlies and Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital On Wed 27 May an orderly named Daniel came to Ranui House promptly by 9am to take me in a wheelchair across to the hospital for a colonoscopy. He was just so kind and helpful to me and my husband. Then after my procedure a nurse called Sue was just the perfect person to tell me the potentially bad news – so kind and caring. Everyone there is so great but those two were the real stand outs for that day. Many thanks.

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CEO Update

Team SI PICS cook up a storm in aid of charity The South Island Patient Information Care System (SI PICS) team swapped keyboards for kitchen aids to cook for more than 20 families at Ronald McDonald House last month. Families were delighted with the order of the day – Spanish chicken served with pasta, mashed potatoes and veg, followed by sticky date pudding, mint-choc brownie, ice cream and custard. As well as planning the menu, preparing the food and cooking and cleaning on the night, the team buttered up contacts to attract donations. Fonterra donated all the dairy products including butter, milk, cream, custard and ice cream, while Santa Rosa provided an excellent

Above: Helen Ramsey, Business Process Analyst, prepares to blend the sticky date pudding. Above middle: Some of the team at the end of a successful night, from back to front, left to right: PJ Michel, Super User; Helen Ramsey, Business Process Analyst; Dena Cowen-Willis, Trainer; Lesley Long, Business Process Analyst; Shannon de Bruin, Project Associate; Rose Watson, Super User; Frances Mansell, Business Process Analyst; Jason Elley, Operational Team Lead; Elly Edwards, Communications Lead; and Matt Long, Project Director

deal on the chicken. In a bid to raise more than enough dough to cover the other ingredients, team members donned their chef hats early and raised $280 with a bake sale. SI PICS Project Associate, Shannon De Bruin, helped organised the event with Ronald McDonald House. She said: “It was a real pleasure to provide an evening’s respite to families who are experiencing such a hard time. “The team worked so well together that whipping up the meals was a piece of cake, and it was a delight to be able to donate $105 in addition to the meal due to their hard work.” Matthew Mark, CEO of Ronald

McDonald House South Island, thanked the team for helping to make an immediate difference to families. He said: “A huge thank you for your involvement and putting up with the chaos in the kitchen. It’s only because of people like you that our doors are open 24/7 to each and every family that needs us.” The icing on the cake was a visit from the Crusaders, who came along to spend time with families – talking, taking photos and playing games. The team would like to thank all those who generously supported our cause, including Wilsons parking, which provided staff with access to a nearby car park for a reduced price, and cash donations totalling $168.

Above: Matt Long and PJ Michel get their hands dirty for a good cause. Below middle: The families enjoyed their dinner with some of the Crusader team members.

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Clear your head – make a difference Sign up now for Dry July and support adults living with cancer in Canterbury. The Canterbury Regional Cancer & Haematology Service (CRC&HS) is asking for your support to raise funds for Dry July, a nationally run, on-line fundraising and health awareness campaign. An individual or team signs up to the challenge of a month-long sponsored abstinence from alcohol. The Dry July website has a lot of cool stuff including a fun video on the home page and a wellbeing section that talks about how to manage sugar cravings, managing your daily life stressors, 10 top tips for eating out, the pros for probiotics and the importance of prebiotics, and how to make kiwifruit popsicles that combine the slightly tangy taste of kiwifruit with the sweetness of bananas. Dry July is a great opportunity to clear your head and make a difference for people like Aubrey Fitzpatrick. Privileged to have the best of care Aubrey Fitzpatrick had hardly been sick a day in his life before being diagnosed with stomach cancer on Christmas Eve 2013. Four days earlier Aubrey visited his general practitioner for what he thought was indigestion. A blood test revealed it was much more than that. Aubrey had surgery followed by radiation treatment and has just begun the fourth of six cycles of chemotherapy.

While in Christchurch Hospital receiving treatment in March, he and other cancer patients enjoyed watching ICC Cricket World Cup games on Prime TV from the “lovely, comfortable” chairs bought with Dry July funds. Aubrey is signing up to Dry July because the good it does is “something I can speak first hand from experience about, something I have been part of.” Funds raised are spent on creating better environments and support networks for adult cancer oncology patients and their families. You can support Dry July too, sign up now www.dryjuly. co.nz and visit the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) webpage www.cdhb.health.nz/Dryjuly The Canterbury Regional Cancer and Haematology Service had a fantastic response last year – 1396 participants signed up to support Dry July and raised $198,121. Items purchased in Christchurch with Dry July funds include, hospice mattresses; upgrading the music system in the hospital radiation bunkers so that patients undergoing radiation therapy in a linac accelerator can select their own music; iPads for patients to use while having treatment; and electric lift beds in the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit.

Below: Aubrey Fitzgerald and Ted on a Dry July chair.

“It was the first time in my life I had ever been in hospital,” he says. Aubrey never thought cancer would happen to him. “When it does, you experience a rollercoaster of emotions, but you have to deal with it the best you can, and stay positive about things.” One of the ways the formerly self-employed Christchurch businessman does that is by keeping active walking his ‘highly intelligent” three month old spoodle puppy named Ted, (because he looks like a teddy bear). “I’m very lucky, I have a good supportive family and am getting the best of care.” Aubrey says he can’t speak highly enough of the treatment he has received at Christchurch Hospital. “The staff’s dedication, passion and general concern about people was a whole new experience for me. I couldn’t believe how people, who deal with this type of thing on a day to day basis as part of their job can be so positive, focused and cheerful.” He feels “very privileged” to have Christchurch Hospital Radiation Oncologist, Iain Ward, and Medical Oncologist, Jim Edwards, looking after him. “They are the best.”

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CANTERBURY GRAND ROUND FRIDAY 19 June 2015, 12.15 to 1.15pm with lunch from 11.45am Venue: Rolleston Lecture Theatre Speaker: Kay Poulsen, BA, MBA (dist), DipSecTchg

Chair: Iain Ward

Navigating Health: The Role of Health Literacy in Improving Outcomes for People

Video Conference set up in:

Since 2006, Help4U has provided health information and co-ordination services to patients, their families and health professionals. This service helps people to navigate their way through the health system and understand the language of health reducing stress and improving access to health services. A key research focus of the organisation has been the promotion of health literacy in New Zealand. From the cases Help4U has managed over this time it has become clear that the language of the health system compromises effective communication between the health professional and the patient with the result that many patients feel alienated from the experience of receiving timely and appropriate services.

Elder Abuse Awareness Week A display was held in the foyer of The Princess Margaret Hospital to mark Elder Abuse Awareness Week. In the week of June 15-22 Age Concern are holding events to raise awareness of elder abuse and neglect.

»» Burwood Meeting Room »» Meeting Room, Level 1 PMH »» Wakanui Room, Ashburton »» Administration Building, Hillmorton All staff and students welcome Next Clinical Meeting – Friday 26 June 2015

Convenor: Dr RL Spearing Email: ruth.spearing@cdhb.health.nz

to pay it back or exerting influence over an older person’s decisions. In other cases, it can be so serious it can deprive an older person of their life savings and assets.

Each year, Age Concern’s Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (EANP) services receive more than 2000 referrals - eight referrals every working day.

‘‘We deal with cases where family have moved in with an older person and expect to live rent free without contributing to household expenses. Sometimes the older person will not have enough money for their basic medical care or will take out loans to pay bills.’’

About three quarters of these situations are confirmed to involve elder abuse or neglect. In cases seen by EANP over the last three years:

Abuse causes great distress to older people and the impact can be far reaching, affecting health, dignity, security and a person’s ability to live independently.

»» 75 per cent involved psychological abuse

For more detailed information visit the Age Concern New Zealand website, ageconcern.org.nz.

»» over 50 per cent involved financial abuse »» 15-20 per cent involved physical abuse »» 10-15 per cent involved neglect »» 10-15 per cent involved self-neglect

Age Concern Social Worker, Trina Cox, says the incidence of elder abuse in Canterbury is likely to have increased due in part to the stress families have been under. Older people become more vulnerable to abuse when they become frailer or dependent on others for care or support. Often this dependence greatly reduces their ability or means to stop the abuse from happening. ‘Many people do not realise that their behaviour or treatment of an older person could be perceived as abusive, and in more serious cases, can also be regarded as a criminal offence.’’ Age Concern Canterbury has a team of health professionals who provide a free and confidential service to work in situations where an older person’s safety or wellbeing is at risk. ‘‘Financial abuse can sometimes develop gradually, without deliberate intent, such as borrowing money and forgetting cdhb.health.nz 7

CEO Update

CHOC artwork officially opened Wongi Wilson’s artwork on a wall outside the Children’s Haematology Oncology Centre (CHOC) was officially opened last week. Canteen members joined Wongi, Louise Sue, Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Keyworker, Canterbury District Health Board and Sarah Apiata from Canteen to cut a ribbon. The idea behind the image of the hands came from the CanTeen Focus Group made up of 10 young people, who are mostly pictured in the group photo below. One of the key messages they wanted conveyed was ‘you are not alone’. The hands symbolise the support of others as patients travel on their cancer journey. These young people wanted future CHOC patients looking at the Graffiti Wall to be able to see/feel/read this message of support and for them to know that they are not alone on their journey.

Isabel Cowlishaw making her mark with Wongi Wilson looking on.

From left to right: Jacob Knight, Sarah Apiata (CanTeen Youth Worker, Patient Services), Anthony Dunbar, Elliot Dowie, Ryan Holley, Christina Shepherd, Sophie Webb-Heward, Isabel Cowlishaw, Louise Sue (CDHB Adolescent & Young Adult Cancer Keyworker) and Wongi Wilson (Graffiti Artist).

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CEO Update

Avoiding well-meaning but inappropriate responses to disasters Although professionally retired, Graeme McColl was ‘volunteered’ as a committee member and convener for the People In Disasters 2016 Conference. He accepted because he was interested in making sure lessons from the health response to the Canterbury earthquakes should be shared not only nationally but also internationally. From 1996 until late 2011, Graeme was the Health Emergency Management Adviser covering the South Island for the Ministry of Health (MoH). He was involved in planning advice, emergency exercise participation and ensuring that health providers were aligned with emergency agencies and emergency response best practice. He has direct experience planning for SARS, avian influenza, hazardous material responses as well as the general overloading of emergency facilities. In 2009 Graeme coordinated the MoH response to the H1N1 (Swine flu) response and the New Zealand health support to the Tsunami that devastated Samoa. He filled a liaison role between the MoH and Canterbury DHB during the earthquake responses and says working with DHB management and the General Practice planning group led to resources being saved. “We were able to avoid the influx of well-meaning but inappropriate responses that plagued Haiti,” says Graeme.

For a number of years he has been a member of the World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) and has published information gained from his work with health services in that organisation’s Oceania regional newsletter.

More information and the Oceania newsletter can be found at http://www.wadem.org/

WADEM members share information, experience and research to assist in the management and response to health emergencies and disasters worldwide. Graeme’s other roles include Vice President for communities of practice for WADEM, linking interest groups and individuals worldwide with those of similar interests and willing to support each other. Member of the editorial board for the Pre Hospital and Disaster Medicine journal. Former Chair and now Secretary of the Oceania regional chapter of the WADEM organisation.

Graeme McColl

Collation of the bi-monthly newsletter for this chapter, a role he says gives him the opportunity to express and ensure his own views get published, in particular observations on the Canterbury postearthquake health situation.

The People in Disasters Conference is being hosted by the Canterbury District Health Board and the RHISE Group (Researching the Health Implications of Seismic Events) and is being held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Christchurch, 24-26 February, 2016. Early bird registrations close 26 June. Check out the official website www.peopleindisasters.org.nz and online brochure.

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CEO Update

One minute with… Julianne Munro, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Prevention and Control What does your job involve? The Clinical Nurse Specialist, Infection Prevention & Control (CNSIPC) role is a patient focused role where expert guidance and support is provided to prevent the occurrence and spread of infection. There is a team of CNS IPCs across Canterbury DHB, each with access to a specialised software package. This alerts the teams as to which patients have developed an infectious disease that could spread. Contact is made with clinical areas and advice is given as to the care of these patients. Following up patients with possible healthcare acquired infections is an important part of our job, whether it is blood stream infections or surgical site surveillance. Our work is varied with advice extending from rebuilding or renovating facilities to isolation of patients. There is also a lot of education involved which can range from an organised session or a corridor consultation. Why did you choose to work in this field? Initially I was asked to consider this field because of my previous education work. I was curious about disease transmission and patient safety. The research and evidencebased aspect of this work also interested me. What do you like about it? The varied work throughout the day. I never quite know what the next phone call might be about. It could be a query regarding cleaning a piece of equipment or checking out the dust build-up in the corridor. Next minute I might be explaining multidrug resistance to a staff member or a patient. What are the challenging bits? Overcoming prejudice and breaking down the barriers surrounding

the IPC role. IPC should be an integral part of the way healthcare is delivered, but with the historical title of “dirt police” it can be a challenge to encourage staff that our service wants to work alongside them. Writing policy and guidelines can be a perplexing especially when a lot of research is required to develop a clear and pragmatic approach. Who do you admire in a professional capacity at work and why? Dr Didet Pittet is the person I most admire every day in my work. Although he works at the University Hospital of Geneva and the World Health Organization, his passion and vision for improving patient safety has reached into the clinical areas of Canterbury as well as New Zealand healthcare. His clear guidelines on Hand Hygiene are now a world-wide programme (5 Moments for Hand Hygiene). A truly inspiring person! The last book I read was… It is hard to pinpoint the latest as I have several books on the go at once. The latest group of excellent reads were: The Garden of Evening Mists, by Tan Twan Eng; The Orphan Master’s Son, by Adam Johnson; The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion; and Wake, by Elizabeth Knox. If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be… There are so many amazing places to be but walking in New Zealand’s native bush is an absolute pleasure. My ultimate Sunday would involve… A long bike ride with my husband Peter followed by a leisurely brunch with good coffee and the newspaper.

Julianne Munro

recently fermented soya bean sushi was added to the short dislike list. At least I think this was what I ate! My favourite music is… I like a mixture of music. From classical to rock with opera, jazz, reggae in the mix with some great New Zealand artists/ bands as well. The Black Seeds, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Anika Moa to name a few.

If you would like to take part in this column or would like to nominate someone please contact Naomi.Gilling@cdhb.health.nz.

One food I really dislike is 100 year old eggs! I just can’t swallow the green centre! I am usually game to try most things but

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Sister of Mercy, Mary Hanrahan’s ‘great contribution’ celebrated Catholic Chaplain for Christchurch Hospital and Christchurch Women’s Hospital, Sister of Mercy, Mary Hanrahan, was farewelled at a morning tea last Friday at Christchurch Hospital’s Great Escape Cafeteria Lounge. Sister Mary has retired after more than eight years in the role. Staff shared a cup of tea and wished Sister Mary well. Customer Services Manager, Joy Sixtus, acknowledged Sister Mary’s “great contribution” over the eight years with her dedicated pastoral care of so many staff, patients and their families.

Joy Sixtus (left) acknowledging Sister Mary’s contribution.

Sister Mary with her grand-niece.

Sister Mary with some of her Timaru Girls High School pupils.

Sister Mary with some of her Villa Maria pupils.

NZ Post change to alternate day delivery From 1 July 2015 NZ Post will be changing delivery of standard mail from six days per week to three days per week. Canterbury DHB has contracted DX for its mail service, but 25 percent of our mail is still carried by NZ Post, including rural delivery, PO Boxes and Private Bags. While DX has general guidelines for delivery timeframes, they are not guaranteed. With the drop in mail volumes across New Zealand, service standards are also reducing and we need to adjust our expectations accordingly. The points below will assist mail to arrive safely and in time: »» Allow five working days for delivery of all standard letters (the day the letter is sent plus five days). Please remember to allow extra around Public Holidays. »» If a letter needs to arrive in under five days and phone or text contact is not possible, it should be couriered. Please contact mailroom-CHC@cdhb.health.nz or phone 89560 for information on the best postal options.

»» Fast post is a NZ Post service and they are not our mail provider so the blue fast post stickers shouldn’t be used. DX sorts mail by hand while NZ Post uses a sorting machine. If the address isn’t correct, neither organisation will try to interpret the address or apply common sense, they’ll send it back to us. Every effort must be made to get the address right before the letter is sent to avoid delays. Follow this link for advice on how to make sure your mail is delivered on time to the right person. Regular meetings are held with DX Mail to improve service and resolve any issues. If you have any feedback regarding poor service, or any questions or concerns please contact Elaine.ryan@cdhb.health. nz or extn 89060.

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The ISG Support and Training Team Have you ever had that moment when you’re using your computer, and you’re getting frustrated that it won’t do what you want it to, and you just don’t have the time or knowhow to sort it out? Well the ISG Support & Training team gets to hear or meet many people like you, almost every single day. On a typical working day, the Information Support & Training team will answer your “How do I?” questions, arrange training, or work on application administration tasks such as setting up access or testing new software. Their aim is really quite simple: making it easier and making it faster so you experience less frustration and have more time for important things such as looking after your patients. With the team members combined years of experience in Canterbury DHB, their knowledge is extensive. The team mostly trains people in Patient Management systems and clinical software, but also offers beginner to advanced training in applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint and Oracle. Training these days is no longer entirely confined to training rooms, but is often delivered in the wards or departments during staff meetings, presentations, or even electronically through selflearning. Many of the trainers will tell you that the best part of the role is being able to take the time to visit a department to see what’s actually happening there and how the software is used so they can match training accordingly. Don’t ever ask them about their job though! They’ll start telling you

PDRP Update Could all applicants who have changed their name and are submitting or resubmitting their portfolio for assessment please note change of name/names used in the front of the portfolio. This will help with the efficiency with assessing PDRP Portfolio’s.

about their passion for training, the buzz, and the smiles at the end of the training sessions, the tears at the beginning, and so much more that you’d soon be wishing for the next customer to call and interrupt. If you would like to contact ISG Support & Training please email the Service Desk at service.desk@cdhb.health.nz or check their manuals, videos or training timetable on http://cdhbintranet/ corporate/Supportandtraining/SitePages/Home.aspx The ISG Training and Support Team Elizabeth Spooner UST Manager Barb Bennett