Canterbury DHB CEO Update Monday 20 July 2015

CEO Update Monday 20 July 2015

Children’s worker safety checking has started All new Canterbury DHB staff who work with children in a role described as a core children’s worker are now subject to safety checks including a police vet before being offered a position. This additional checking started from 1 July 2015 and is a legal requirement under the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014. The aim of the Vulnerable Children’s Act is to protect vulnerable children and help them thrive, achieve and belong. Having a safe and competent children’s workforce is key to achieving this. A core worker is described as someone who works in or provides a service when they are the only children’s worker present or they have primary responsibility for a child. The other group which requires safety checking are non-core children’s workers. This group includes staff who have regular or overnight contact with a child that takes place without the parent or guardian being present. Mandatory police vetting for non-core children’s workers starts on 1 July 2016. The Act also requires that all existing Canterbury DHB staff who are children’s workers are retrospectively safety checked between 1 July 2016 and 1 July 2019. If you’ve been here for a while you may have had a Ministry of Justice check when you first started, but the Safety Checking process requires a Police Vet which discloses a lot more information than the Ministry of Justice check as it voids the ‘Clean Slate’ Act. A Police Vet may disclose any concerns the Police have in any context, even if there have not been charges laid, or charges have been withdrawn, or if a person has been found not guilty of a charge, as well as convictions which would not have appeared on the Ministry of Justice check due to the Clean Slate Act provisions.

If something comes up when you are checked, a risk assessment will be carried out and your manager will be involved. This is an early ‘heads up’ to all staff to let you know that this will be happening from 1 July next year. If there’s anything you are concerned about in relation to the screening or what it may reveal, talk to your manager. You will be asked to give consent before a police vetting check is carried out, but compliance will be required. Police vetting needs to be repeated every three years for both core and non-core children’s workers. It also applies to staff working in services provided through general practice teams, maternity services, in home disability services and ambulance services – in fact any publicly-funded health service has to comply with the legislation. There is a significant amount of information on safety checking and the Children’s Action Plan online. If you’re recruiting and have further questions contact Mary Ann Farr or Sarah Carnoutsos. Canterbury DHB has provided a simple guide to explain how the Vulnerable Children’s Act affects recruitment. It’s available on the intranet.

David Meates

CEO Canterbury District Health Board

Record-breaking concrete pours at the Acute Services building, Christchurch Hospital Contractors on site at Christchurch Hospital are getting the ground of the new Acute Services Building ready for the first of eight foundation pours.

During the pour, which starts just after 1am on Saturday 25 July, 1200 m3 of concrete will be laid to a depth of one metre: enough to fill around 7500 standard bathtubs. ›› Article continues on page 2

In this issue »» Free GP visit for people enrolling for the first time...page 2. »» Facility Fast Facts...page 4&5. »» Donation to Child Health...page 5.

»» Working at Christchurch Hospital a ‘privilege and pleasure...Les Snape retiring...page 6. »» Canterbury Medical Grand Round... page 7.

»» All Blacks visit to Burwood Spinal Unit... page 8. »» Still time for staff to immunise their selfies...page 10.

cdhb.health.nz 1

CEO Update ›› Article continued from page 1

The pour will swallow up 300 truck-loads of concrete over eight hours of continuous concrete delivery and pumping. It will then take another day and a half to smooth and level the concrete. Each of the eight concrete pours will be done over a weekend to minimise disruption to the hospital. One of the later pours will make the record books as the largest continuous concrete pour by a single contractor ever undertaken in the South Island. In total, some 15,710 m3, or just over six Olympic swimming pools worth, of concrete will form the foundations of the new building, together with more than 2,300 tonnes of reinforcing steel.

Acute Services building – Fast Facts »» Area of all floors of the new ASB is approx. 62,000m2. »» The ASB footprint is 10,450m2. »» 15,710 m3 of concrete will be laid over eight pours. »» There will be 2300 tonnes of reinforcing steel in the foundations. When complete, the Acute Services Building will have:

Fletchers Construction won the tender for the foundation and workers have been busy on site since June, laying damp-proof geomembranes, tying reinforcing steel and constructing the building’s lift-shaft pits. Having also worked on the large concrete pours at the Justice Precinct, the Fletchers team has been quick to apply their learnings to this new project. “All is tracking well for the first pour on Saturday,” says Thinc project Manager Colin Paterson. “It will be exciting to see the building start taking shape.”

»» base-isolation seismic protection, built to IL4 standard (Importance Level 4, 180% of the building code) »» additional operating theatres »» around 400 beds, including purpose-designed spaces for children »» an expanded intensive care unit »» state-of-the-art radiology department »» an emergency department, and »» a rooftop helipad.

Free GP visit for people who enrol before the end of August for the first time The Canterbury Health System is giving away vouchers for a free general practice visit to people enrolling for the first time. If you’re not enrolled with a general practice team, you’re missing out. To make the most of health services here in Canterbury you need to enrol with a general practice, who can either help you then and there, or can refer you to specialist services. It’s estimated that over 30,000 workers and their families have moved to Canterbury for the rebuild. Many of those people are foreign nationals who don’t know how to get the most from our health system and others may simply be new to Canterbury. These workers, and their families, are losing out on coordinated and cheaper health care by not being enrolled. As soon as people enrol with a general practice, they immediately have a team of people helping them and their family stay well and healthy. Signing up to a practice provides access to expert advice and check-ups; means you pay less for your health care; and gives you ongoing vaccination and health screening check reminders. Prescriptions will be cheaper too, or free for those under 13 and enrolled with a general practice team. You are entitled to enrol with a general practice team if you are a New Zealand, Cook Island, Niue or Tokelau citizen or are entitled to stay in New Zealand for two years or more – with a work visa for example. Vouchers for a free general practice consultation can be downloaded from www.cdhb.health.nz. Vouchers can only be used for people who enrol for the first time in Canterbury

before the end of August 2015. The voucher is valid for one use until the end of 2015. Why not do a friend a favour and if they’re not enrolled, give them a voucher.

Connect with us enrolment voucher To encourage you to make the right decision to ‘connect’ with a general practice, this voucher entitles new enrolments to a first consultation on us. It is valid for the remainder of 2015 for people who enrol in Canterbury for the first time before the end of August 2015. Enrol with a local general practice, then present this voucher at your first consultation – it’s that simple. Note to the practice accepting this voucher: Please send an invoice for the cost of the consultation to your PHO marked ‘Connect with a GP initiative’.

our health system

cdhb.health.nz 2

CEO Update

Bouquets Day Ward, Christchurch Hospital Thank you to the staff for such brilliant care and attention. Plastics Outpatients, Christchurch Hospital Great job, lovely nurse. Thank you. Ward 24B, Christchurch Hospital My mother spent 12 days in your care before she died. We were so blessed by the care day after day given her and given us. Your nurses remain some of the most professional and astute caregivers in the world. It was for me such an eye opener to return – watch – receive – thank you so much. The various medical teams involved, the lounge and canteen, the freedom to come and go, the time taken by all disciplines to ensure we fully understood the care given, the patience shown to us especially when anxious without peer. We hold you all in the very highest esteem – thank you. Wards 15 and 16, Christchurch Hospital Thank you for the exceptional care that Dr Tapper has provided. I felt like I was in trustworthy, competent hands and this feeling of comfort, I am positive, will result in a rapid recovery. Ward 16, Christchurch Hospital Thank you for the professionalism and exceptional care that Dr Elizabeth Foo has provided. If there were more doctors like her around, the world would be a healthier and happier place. Thank you Liz, once again from the bottom of my heart. Ward 15, Christchurch Hospital I would like to thank the nurse Jocelyn and a caregiver Caroline for

their care and professional manner, made me feel at ease. Respiratory/ Physiology Laboratory, Christchurch Hospital P Faulken did a spirometry test on me. I was impressed, she treated me with respect and didn’t judge me. I did say thanks to her for that. Canterbury Community Radiology/ Xray Receptionists very competent and pleasant. Radiographer professional and clear. What a pleasant surprise to be taken at the time specified – no long wait as is usual. Thank you. Diabetes Centre, Christchurch The Diabetes Centre is such a wonderful part of Christchurch Hospital. The staff are all so very lovely, helpful, encouraging and supportive. I am very grateful for the services I receive. I have heard many other patients in the waiting room say similar things. Full compliments and many, many thanks for all your care. Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team, Burwood Inpatient Ward, Burwood Outpatients team, Acute Stroke Unit and Ward 2A at TPMH Thank you to the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Team (CSRT), Burwood in-patient ward, Burwood out-patients team, the Acute Stroke Unit and ward 2A at TPMH. A recent consumer group for the CSRT integration project praised the care, time and dedication of the staff that worked with them and wanted to encourage staff to keep doing such good work.

When asked what they felt, made going home after their stroke go well, they said: »» Being given the Life After Stroke book. »» Explanation of each team member’s role written down. »» Going home prepared with lists of the names of people who were coming to see them. »» Home assessments increased confidence. »» Things to read later on after therapists had left, too much to take in when they were there. »» Aphasia friendly reading, nothing too complicated. »» Support groups to link in with after therapy/ help with moving on into new life roles.

Thank you as well to all these teams for their assistance and constructive input into the CSRS integration project. Kaikoura On behalf of my family, I would like to give my utmost thanks for all the care and love you showed for our loved one during her illness. All of you were fantastic and gave her the best possible care she could have got. We will always be grateful. Ward 20 – Plastics, Christchurch Hospital I was recently in ward 20 for a couple of nights and found the staffespecially the nurses great. They were very responsive and always there to help if needed. Thank you for making the experience as “painless” as possible.

cdhb.health.nz 3

CEO Update

Monday’s Facilities Fast Facts Christchurch - Acute Services Building Foundation

Thinc Update

Preparation for the Acute Services Building foundations is progressing quickly. Fletchers Construction won the tender for the foundation and workers have been busy on site since June, laying damp-proof geomembranes, installing reinforcing steel (see photos) and constructing the building’s lift-shaft pits in preparation for the first foundation pour on Saturday 25 July.

The project managers for the ASB construction, Thinc, have a short video on the project, explaining where things are at, what happens next and everything you need to know about base isolators. Watch it here.

The new Dirty Dock (for refuse and used linen collection) is being built at the corner of Riverside (see photo). User Groups Work continues with user groups reviewing the room data sheets and plans in preparation for CLG end July and during August and in refining and closing out design queries for CHCH.

Burwood The New Entry, Radiology, Level 2 Administration area and Outpatients Department starts to take shape as the concrete wall panels are installed and pads are poured (on the right in the photo) for the building to extend into the space the old kitchen occupied.

›› Article continues on page 5

cdhb.health.nz 4

CEO Update ›› Article continued from page 4

Oxford Terrace Corporate Office Pictured right: Workers install the last of the external glazing for the new building.

Donation of games and consoles to Child Health Child patients put their gaming skills to the test in a fun Wii Games Tournament in Christchurch Hospital’s Activity Room. The tournament, on July 10, was held to celebrate a donation by EB Games of seven Play Station Vita game consoles along with various games and extra equipment for the existing Nintendo Wii in the Activity Room. Hospital Play Specialist, Rachael Clarke says EB Games Eastgate Manager, Vicki Blue, approached the Child Health Division earlier in the year regarding donations of games and consoles. “I discussed with her what technology would be regarded as useful in the hospital setting.” Hospital play specialists are able to use technology to engage children in a variety of gross and fine motor activities. Play can help children adjust to potentially stressful situations and being able to play while in hospital means that children can continue an aspect of their normal life, Rachael says.

cdhb.health.nz 5

CEO Update

Working at Christchurch Hospital a “privilege and a pleasure” Les Snape retires from his Canterbury DHB position as maxillofacial surgeon on Friday this week. Les first came to Christchurch as a surgical registrar 37 years ago.

“Les was one of the first colleagues I recall who could describe his choice of treatments based on evidence and research.”

“As there were few opportunities for formal maxillofacial training in Australasia in those days I returned to the UK for four years in the 1980s and completed accredited advanced surgical training in what was already a well-established speciality in the UK,” he says.

That use of academic rigor for the practical enhancement of patient care has been one of Les’s gifts to patients and colleagues.

Les gained Fellowships of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Ireland before returning to Christchurch as a consultant in 1987. At that time he was one of few doubly qualified maxillofacial surgeons in Australasia. During his career Les has actively helped develop the specialty, being Chief Examiner for the Australasian Fellowship examination for 10 years and Director of Training in New Zealand for a similar length of time. Les is the immediate Past President of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and a previous board member for AOCMF, an educational organisation which teaches surgical techniques in the speciality across Asia and the Pacific. In Christchurch, he has overseen maxillofacial surgery develop from being part of the Dental Service to a stand-alone department recognised as a major training unit in New Zealand. He has always had a special interest in facial trauma and has been a long standing member of the Trauma Committee helping to organise some of the first multi-disciplinary simulation workshops.

“I would describe Les as ‘old school’, service first, self second. No matter what time of day or night a referral is made his response is always helpful and courteous and with a plan that will optimise the outcome for the patient. “If I have ever seen Les cross it was because he wasn’t consulted early enough to produce the best outcome for the patient.” David says Les is a brilliant teacher “and I for one have benefited from his careful case descriptions and encyclopedic knowledge”. As a founding member of the Hospital Trauma Committee Les has contributed to systematic improvements with regards to major trauma. Eric Gamble “I wish Les all the best in ‘semi’ retirement but expect to see him from time to time when his experience and knowledge is called upon and the need is there,” David says. An afternoon tea for Les is being held this Friday 24 July, 3pm in the Great Escape (RSVP for catering purposes to Jacqui Power). A farewell card for Les is available for signing in the Maxillofacial Department.

“Working at Christchurch Hospital has been a privilege and a pleasure, with cooperation and collegiality across all clinical areas. I have made a lot of friends who continue to help provide a superb quality service for our patients,” Les says. Although retiring from his CDHB position he will remain a Clinical Senior Lecturer, and continue to work in his private practice. Having just returned from teaching in India and Japan, Les hopes that by giving up his CDHB role he will have more time to teach and work overseas. Medical Specialist, Emergency, Jan Bone, says Les has been a stalwart attender and contributor to the trauma meetings and trauma committee since their inception. “He has an encyclopaedic memory and his sage advice is often sought. He was in ‘boots and all’ for the first multidisciplinary trauma simulation workshops that were so successful, even providing real time airway obstruction noises on demand!” We have all hugely benefited from our time with Les, he is a very special man. It’s been a privilege and I wish him the very best in his retirement from CDHB, says Jan. Intensive Care Specialist, David Bowie says Les is a man of great discipline and dedication. Above: Les Snape

cdhb.health.nz 6

CEO Update

New Haematology Clinical Trials app launched in New Zealand Jo Sanders from the Haematology Department at Christchurch Hospital has been able to source funding to introduce a smart phone app into New Zealand to enhance awareness of the clinical trials available to Haematology patients. The New Zealand Haematology version of “ClinTrial refer” is available on both iOS and Android platforms, giving clinicians and patients direct access to information on

clinical trials that are currently recruiting in New Zealand. The information on the app includes which Hematologic condition the trial is aimed at, inclusion / exclusion criteria, locations in NZ, and who to contact at each centre. The ClinTrial refer app hopes to allow for more patient referral within the DHBs, by providing instant information to the clinician as they are seeing patients.

Canterbury Medical Grand Round Friday 24 July 2015, 12.15 to 1.15pm, with lunch from 11.45am

Chair: Anja Werno

Venue: Rolleston Lecture Theatre

»» Burwood Meeting Room

Speaker one: David Meates, CDHB Chief Executive

»» Meeting Room, Level 1 TPMH

Understanding the issues facing Canterbury and potential impacts.

»» Administration Building, Hillmorton

Speaker two: Nick Kennedy, Rheumatology Septic arthritis at Canterbury DHB Review of 248 cases of septic arthritis at Canterbury DHB over the five year period 2009-2013 with discussion on the epidemiology, clinical features and microbiology. Comparisons made between those with and without an underlying rheumatic disorder.

Video Conference set up in:

»» Wakanui Room, Ashburton

All staff and students welcome.

Grand Round videos now online

Talks (with speaker approval) will be available within two weeks on the intranet. Click here to view.

Next Grand Round is Friday 31 July 2015. Convenor: Dr RL Spearing, ruth.spearing@cdhb.health.nz

Éclair out of office notification and results forward facility The Éclair diagnostic results system is due to be upgraded to v7 at 8am on Tuesday 21 July. One of the noticeable inclusions to this release will be the ability to set up an out of office diversion for results. This can be created from your éclair results dashboard and is done in a similar method as your office / email diversion. For further details please refer to the attached one page “How to guide”.

cdhb.health.nz 7

CEO Update

All Blacks visit Burwood Spinal Unit

All Blacks Lima Sopoaga, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Sam Cane and James Broadhurst spent time with patients and staff at the Burwood Spinal Unit on Friday before the big game.

CHL farewells long serving Scientific Officer Michael Lever started at Canterbury Health Labs (CHL) more than 40 years ago and has worked tirelessly to improve clinical services and pursue world class research. After completing a Masters at Victoria University and a PhD at Massey (1964 and 1970) Michael moved to Auckland for a four year post as Scientific Officer, before moving to Christchurch in 1974. Once here Michael quickly set up a network of collaborators in Christchurch Hospital and nearby universities and more recently internationally. Over the years he has obtained a number of externally funded grants, which have led to the publication of many important papers in the field of metabolic medicine and nutrition. He has supervised numerous PhD students and has generally been an important resource of advanced chemical knowledge. During his time here he has had important links with the clinical groups in infectious disease, diabetes and cardiology. All at CHL wish Michael well for a healthy retirement, and hope to see him back in the lab, as he continues to be involved with research projects and student supervision.

Above: Michael Lever

cdhb.health.nz 8

CEO Update

Dry July raffles coming your way Two weeks of Dry July to go and we’re pulling out all the stops to raise as much as we can for adults being treated for cancer in Canterbury. If you check out the results online you’ll see that in the team category (there are a number of different groupings for results) the CDHB and Christchurch Hospital DJ team is top in the country.

Hillmorton Hospital Keep an eye out for Elsie Roder who will be roving with ticket sales later in the week.

To build on our $31,000+ total, raffles, featuring some wonderful prizes are being held at Christchurch Campus, Hillmorton Hospital and The Princess Margaret Hospital.

The Princess Margaret Hospital Tickets are on sale at the main entrance reception desk (thanks to Elaine and the orderlies) – will also be some roving ticket sales.

Tickets are $2 each. Christchurch Campus Tickets will be sold on Ward 20 and roving sales will also be made. Prizes include: $70 hair voucher and products, lotions & potions, hamper and Bundaberg drinks. Prizes drawn Monday 27 July 2015.

Prizes include: beautiful baskets, handmade jewellery, lavender toiletries, scarves, Dry July cap, salt and pepper shakers, candles, oil diffusion sets and aprons. Prizes drawn Friday 31 July 2015. Check out our Dry July webpage for photos and full list of prizes. If you can’t get your hands on a raffle ticket you can still donate to the CDHB and Christchurch Hospital team or someone else supporting our campaign.

Extra month to get free influenza vaccinations Health Minister Jonathon Coleman says the 2015 seasonal influenza immunisation programme will be extended from 31 July to the end of August. “Ministry of Health surveillance suggests that influenza has not yet peaked this winter. To help ensure people have the protection they need, we are extending the funded vaccination season until 31 August,” says Dr Coleman. “The A-H3N2 strain, which is covered by the vaccine, appears to be the predominant type – this strain affects the elderly and very young more severely than other strains.” The influenza vaccine is free for people aged 65 years and over, pregnant women, people with long term health conditions such as severe asthma, and children under five years who have been hospitalised for a respiratory illness. People with Down Syndrome and those with cochlear implants are now eligible for the vaccine. Influenza vaccinations are also available for a fee from general practices and many pharmacies for those who are not eligible for the free vaccine. “Although the vaccine was delayed worldwide by a few weeks, the health sector has quickly caught up with previous years’ distribution,” says Dr Coleman. “To date, almost 1.19 million flu vaccines have been distributed across the country, protecting over a quarter of our population.”

cdhb.health.nz 9

CEO Update

Staff...there’s still time to immunise your selfie Influenza activity in Canterbury is on the increase with the numbers of patients attending general practices and hospital escalating. So it’s more important than ever to get your vaccination. The staff vaccination programme is almost over, but there is still time. Further clinics scheduled Burwood Hospital Wednesday 5 August, 14.00 – 15.00, Totara Room, Department of Nursing

Ashburton Hospital and Rural Authorised vaccinators can vaccinate on the wards as able. Make contact with these people: »» Paula Burgess – AAU

The Princess Margaret Hospital Friday 24 July, 13.30 – 15.00, TPMH Outpatients

»» Deborah Hanrahan - AAU

Friday 14 August, 13.30 – 15.00, TPMH Outpatients

»» Sheila Lyons - Ward 1 & Home-based support

Christchurch Hospital Tuesday 28 July, 10.00 – 14.00, Great Escape

»» Sharon Greenslade - Ward 1

Wednesday 12 August, 13.30, 15.00- Endo Room off ward 26 Tuesday 18 August, 10.00 – 14.00, Great Escape Thursday 27 August, 10.00 – 14.00, Great Escape The above clinics are all combined flu and general vaccination clinics. Specialist Mental Health Service Vaccinations are available from Clinical Services Unit, Te Awakura, Building 2, Hillmorton Hospital. But, please ring first to make an appointment ext. 33699.

»» Fay Jones - Ward 6

»» Amanda Van Asperen - Nurse Educator »» Jill Gerken - CNS Infection Prevention & Control »» Rural Hospital staff please contact your Nurse Manager for guidance. If you can’t attend a clinic contact your local authorised vaccinator - click here for details or contact Kirsten.Herrick@cdhb.health.nz for assistance. Did you get your flu vaccination at your General Practice? If you have received your flu vaccination at your General Practice please let us know by completing this quick form.

PDRP update for Senior Nurses & preceptors Are you a Charge Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Nurse Consultant, preceptor or person responsible for providing evidence for another nurse against the NCNZ competencies as part of the performance appraisal process? Are you up to date with the requirements of PDRP? Do you know how to write your evidence in the performance appraisal if a nurse is audited by NCNZ or participating in the Regional PDRP programme? If you need an update, are unsure of PDRP requirements or

perhaps new to the role and would like further information please make time in your diary to attend one of the following sessions which are being held at various CDHB campuses. This is not a session on how to put together your PDRP portfolio. These sessions are designed for the senior nurse or preceptors writing up evidence in a performance appraisal. There is no need to book, please just turn up on the day. This session will be run by Suzanne Johnson the Nurse Educator for PDRP.

PDU Tuesday 28 July

Room 6

1pm, 1.40pm, 3pm

Wednesday 29 July

Clinical Skills Unit

1pm, 1.40pm, 3pm

Pukeko Room (Administration Area)

1pm, 1.40pm, 3pm

5th Floor Board Room

1pm, 1.40pm, 3pm

Meeting Room 4

11am, 1pm, 1.40pm, 3pm

Burwood Tuesday 4 August TPMH Tuesday 13 August Hillmorton Friday 14 August

cdhb.health.nz 10

CEO Update

One minute with… Olwyn Ballantine, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, Community and Rural Health Services, Ashburton Hospital What does your job involve? It’s quite varied, which is part of its appeal. Primarily I meet with people who have quite advanced disease and who are not expected to recover from their illness. Palliative care is about helping people to live fully until they die, and concentrates on getting physical symptoms as well controlled as possible. It also recognises that someone is more than just a collection of symptoms, but a person with hopes and dreams, families, regrets and ambitions. As well as assessment, symptom control and support of patients and their families, I also support the district nurses, ward nurses in Ashburton Hospital, and care home staff in providing palliative care to their patients. This includes being available for advice, joint visits, education and case reviews. I’m part of a large team, which includes a palliative care consultant who visits from Nurse Maude, allied health professionals, general practice teams, hospital doctors, nurses and chaplains. I’m also involved in reviewing documentation, and helping to develop palliative care services in Ashburton. Why did you choose to work in this field? I stayed in nursing because it is a great job to travel with. After graduating, I worked in Australia for a year, and two years in Africa before coming home to Ireland to a job in oncology. I found I was getting frustrated at the emphasis on chemotherapy and felt I never had enough time to just be present with a patient who was fearful about the treatment and the implications of their diagnosis because I was so focused on blood results, drips and central lines. When I got a job in the hospice, clichéd as it sounds, it felt like a sort of homecoming. I had a sense that this was how it was supposed to be, with every aspect of the person and their families held in high regard, rather than an exclusive focus on the physical illness. What do you like about it? I love people. I’m fascinated by how people respond to life’s challenges and how they can grow and develop as a result of those challenges. It’s an incredibly privileged position to witness that; to see relationships deepen at the end of life as people become more honest with their families, or to see their courage and humour in the face of loss. My experience of hospice and palliative care work has been to observe almost accelerated living, as people strip away the less important things and focus on what really matters to them. Of course, it’s not always like that, and some people remain angry or frightened right to the end. But it’s such an amazing feeling when you’re part of a team that can help someone to experience the end of their life as a positive time, despite the sadness.

but sometimes it can be hard to shake the sadness of a parent losing a child. Who do you admire in a professional capacity at work and why? I worked with a very inspirational, very impressive palliative care consultant in Ireland who was Olwyn Ballantine internationally recognised. I felt really privileged to get to work with him on a day to day basis, and to learn an enormous amount from him. He had limitless medical knowledge and wisdom, but more importantly had an amazing presence and capacity to really listen to a person and understand their fears. My nursing colleagues and I admired him greatly, even when we disagreed with some of his decisions. Annoyingly, he was always right. The last book I read was… Mostly I just get to read the paper at the moment. I have a subscription to the international edition of the UK Guardian Weekly. With two small boys, I can just about manage to read the entire thing before the next one turns up in the post box. If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be… At home in Ireland with my family. I’ve been here since January of last year and I’m really enjoying it, but I’d love a weekend down in Dingle with my sister and her twin boys. My ultimate Sunday would involve… Sleep. My eight month old son doesn’t believe in it. One food I really dislike is… Tomato ketchup. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. I would happily ban it from my house, but there’d be mutiny. My favourite music is… Eclectic. African, Irish, singer/songwriter stuff, South American, classical, the list goes on…

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

What are the challenging bits? Looking after children or parents of young families is always difficult. I’m quite good at leaving work behind when I go home, cdhb.health.nz 11

CEO Update Staff Wellbeing Programme: New Wellbeing Workshop time at Christchurch Campus New Wellbeing Workshop – Christchurch Campus 30 July We’ve just arranged a new workshop for 30 July at Christchurch Campus. All remaining workshops for 2015 are filling fast so click here to register. Understanding Incontinence presentation – FULLY BOOKED but… This workshop is now FULLY BOOKED but you can still click here to register and go on a waiting list - and we’ll send you a link so you can watch a recording of the presentation.

For more information on all wellbeing initiatives visit the Staff Wellbeing Programme intranet page. Andy Hearn Staff Wellbeing Coordinator Canterbury & West Coast DHB

Ph: 03 337 7394 Ext: 66394 Mobile: 027 218 4924

andy.hearn@cdhb.health.nz

Wellbeing Workshops

“ The greatest wealth is health

“

-Virgil

2015

For All CDHB Staff To support your wellbeing, the CDHB Staff Wellbeing Programme and MHERC are running a series of 2.5 hour wellbeing workshops. The CDHB acknowledges the crucial role you play in the delivery of high quality care to the Canterbury community. In the current Christchurch environment it is more important than ever that you take the time to focus on your own wellbeing.

2.5 hours to focus on YOUR wellbeing! We are running a number of workshops in 2015 to allow you to put your wellbeing first. Evidence suggests that by doing this, those around you – your family, friends, your colleagues and patients will also benefit. Workshop Overview: • The importance of wellbeing; psychological and emotional effects • Learn about stress responses and how to cope with stressful environments • Understand the science and practice of applications of self-care • Appreciate the progress of recovery for communities and individuals • Gain skills and take ownership of tools for increasing your own and others’ wellbeing • Improve your health and wellbeing: 5 Ways to Wellbeing, Staff Wellbeing Programme • Enhance positive relationships and social connections Workshop Details:  All workshops run for 2.5 hours, including refreshments  For dates and to register for a workshop click here Facilitated by Alison Ogier-Price MSc Psyc, B.Comm, BA Hons, C.AT, MNZAPP

See continence.org.nz for more information on incontinence.

Click here to register

For more information contact: Lee Tuki Lee.Tuki@cdhb.health.nz 027 689 0285 Andy Hearn Andy.Hearn@cdhb.health.nz 027 218 4924

HiNZ Conference 14th Annual HiNZ Conference

19-22 October 2015 Air Force Museum, Wigram

Christchurch

FIRST TIME IN THE SOUTH ISLAND

Are you interested in technological change in healthcare and its impact on clinical outcomes? At this event you will gain an increased understanding of digital health, meet leaders in the field, and learn how you can participate. This is the future of healthcare. The 2015 HiNZ Conference features our most extensive line up of international keynotes yet. Talk directly with these experts at our scheduled ‘meet the speaker’ sessions.

Dr Gareth Goodier (Australia)

Transforming healthcare through information

Graeme Osborne (NZ) Launch of the updated NHITB plan

Dr Margaret Hansen (USA)

Mobile messaging for positive health outcomes

Katherine Rowell (USA)

INCLUDES over 40 presentations from NZ nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, researchers, educators and IT professionals PLUS optional workshops and site visit to CDHB Design Lab, Operations Centre & Pegasus Health PLUS optional one day National Nursing Informatics Conference 19 October $195

Data visualisation

Dr Jeremy Wyatt (UK)

Where’s the science in Health Informatics?

Dr Karen Monsen (USA)

HiNZ conference registration Super Saver registration from

The power of collaboration

John Poole (USA)

Telehealth: Removing the collaboration barriers

$1,235 $795

Super Saver discount closes 24 August 2015

Roger Dennis (NZ)

Seeing 2020: How to adapt to a fast changing world

Melissa Clark-Reynolds (NZ) Technology start ups