Monday 15 December 2014: Don’t sweat the small stuff! Another very busy, very successful, and at times very tiring year is coming to a close. We're delivering new services in new ways, cutting waste out of the system, and continuing to see the benefits of working collaboratively with our colleagues right across the Canterbury Health System. As if that's not impressive enough, we're doing this in cracked and damaged buildings with ongoing massive disruptions and a population still struggling to come to grips with a natural disaster that has hit us for six! And we are doing this while undertaking the largest building project in the history of the New Zealand health system. We have every reason to feel proud. The fact we've been able to achieve so much is down to the amazing efforts of thousands of people working tirelessly across our health system. People working in the health system are undoubtedly our most precious resource. Like everything precious, it pays to look after it! This year's CDHB staff and family wellbeing survey showed that there are some things the CDHB does very well when it comes to supporting our staff ('Something for You' for instance was regularly praised). There are other things that we need to being doing better, and I am looking forward to grappling and making progress with these in the New Year. While it's important that we support our staff and others who work in health, it's also important that people support themselves by prioritising their own wellbeing and taking a breather every now and then. The Christmas break can be a particularly stressful time. I strongly encourage you to find time to relax and do whatever you can to unwind. Whether it's reading a book, going for a walk, or catching up with mates, the little things we do can make a huge difference. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to sweat the small stuff!
CDHB to provide services to the Chatham Islands’ community From 1 July 2015, responsibility for providing health services to residents of the Chatham Islands transfers from Hawkes Bay DHB to Canterbury DHB. We are currently working with the Ministry of Health and Hawkes Bay DHB to make the transition as smooth as possible for service providers and service users alike. Our Planning and Funding team is collecting information from Hawkes Bay on how primary and secondary care service delivery, including allied health, emergency air retrieval and electives is currently managed. There is also a certain amount of intelligence gathering to be done such as establishing lists of key contacts in the community so we can engage with them ahead of the handover. This is a significant change for this small community of around 600 people. A team from our Executive and Board will meet with community representatives in the New Year to begin to forge new relationships, and tune into the kind of support Chatham Islanders need to stay well and safely supported in their own community. There are other preparations that need to be made to ensure the transfer of records goes smoothly and that the right electronic information systems, such as HealthOne for example, are in place to support effective and collaborative patient care. We anticipate a number of clinical challenges mostly associated with the geographic isolation of the Chathams, so that we can provide the right mix of locally-based care and appropriate access to specialists based on the mainland.
Friday 1415March Monday December 2014 2014
Monday’s Facilities Fast Facts Burwood
This week’s photos show the main “spine” of Burwood’s new hospital buildings coming to life, with the steelwork for the roof and the attachment points for the external concrete panels now being fitted. The “spine” connects the three ward blocks with the rest of the hospital.
Time capsule for Burwood Thank you for your ideas for this over the past week. As mentioned previously, a steel time-capsule, similar to one made for the Christchurch Hospital Centuries of Care celebrations, will eventually be installed in the new main entrance and reception area at Burwood Health Campus. Inside this we'd like to create a mini-museum reflecting life at both The Princess Margaret and Burwood Hospitals. Staff, patients and visitors are encouraged to contribute ideas for items to be included. These could be current technology, news clippings or letters, photos from a special event, newspapers, etc that you could pass on to use. Please email your idea for what you would like to see included in the capsule to itsallhappening@cdhb.health.nz
Christchurch Construction updates for the week ahead As mentioned last week, there may be some traffic disruption at the entrance to Christchurch Women’s and Hagley Outpatients over the next week, owing to work on the sewer under the roadway. The work is scheduled to last until 18 December. Work continues on the Christchurch City Council’s roading changes at Hospital Corner this week, with some night work being necessary (7 pm to 6 am) until Friday 19 December. Staff have been informed ahead of this work. At the back of the site, there will be some continued vibration and noise behind Christchurch Women’s Hospital associated with sheet piling work. Sheet piling – pushing sheets of metal into the ground – is needed to shore up the sides of the large excavations for new underground sewage and diesel tanks. Staff in areas likely to be affected have been notified about the trial.
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The view below, taken from the roof of Christchurch Women’s Hospital on December 10, shows the sheet piling activity in the lower right corner, near Oncology. The deep excavation to install the tanks will be roughly where the orange excavator is. In the background you can see that a wooden site fence is being constructed – it is beginning to appear from the left of the picture. The rest of the work in this view is further site clearance and levelling, and the relocation of underground services and pipes.
CEO Update publication dates over the Christmas/New Year period The last CEO Update for 2014 will be published on Monday 22 December. The first one for 2015 will be published on Monday 12 January. Deadline for contributions is the Thursday before ie Thursday 18 December and Thursday 8 January. Please send your contributions to communications@cdhb.health.nz
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Bouquets Pompallier House, Akaroa Hospital I have just spent seven days occupying one of the medical beds at Pompallier House, Akaroa. I could not fault the standard of care I received while there or the quality of all the services provided. The staff seemed to be genuinely caring and friendly, and nothing was too much trouble for them—I could not commend them more highly. I have had a wonderful stay at Akaroa Hospital and thank all the staff for wonderful care. Ward 26, Christchurch Hospital Thanks for looking after my Dad. Ward 12, Christchurch Hospital My husband has had a heart operation. What great service from all staff, nurses, everybody. Thanks Christchurch Hospital. Ward 23, Christchurch Hospital Absolutely Top Notch. Great communication at all levels, empathy towards terminal patient and families. Lovely friendly caregivers with respect as well. Thank you. Ward 24, Christchurch Hospital A very big thank you to all the staff that helped ….. and I with his recovery. Big thanks to doctor for his discussion then the follow up of caring staff. They all made a big impact. Wish all the best to other patients. Thank you. . Park and Ride shuttle service to Christchurch Hospital The ‘Park and Ride’ shuttle service is really fantastic as is the service here at the hospital. We have had constant use of the shuttle service back and forth to the hospital from the carpark. The drivers are always very helpful and understanding. We think it is a great service that the Health Board is providing for us. Some other patrons wish there was a port-a-loo there too. DOSA, Christchurch Hospital This whole hospital is brilliant. I cannot thank the entire organisation enough! Ward 24, Christchurch Hospital I enjoyed my stay here in Ward 24. The food was excellent and I enjoyed it very much. The nurses couldn’t be kinder. Thanks very much. Emergency Department and Ward 14, Christchurch Hospital I appreciate the warm, friendly, caring people I have encountered during my recent visit to the Emergency Department and consequent admittance to Ward 14. There’s a tall male orderly whose name I don’t know, on W14 who I found to be particularly helpful and caring, but thanks to all. Christchurch Hospital Very impressed with the help we received. Kind and courteous staff. Came from Ashburton on the St John shuttle with a 90 year old who needed a scan. The service was brilliant. Grateful thanks.
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Christchurch Hospital Nick and Joy were wonderful and calmed and reassured me in my upset state. I cannot thank them enough for their concern and professionalism and good feelings. They are worth millions. What fabulous orderlies. Thanks. AMAU, Christchurch Hospital I would like to record my appreciation of the care I received whilst in Christchurch Hospital. Every member of staff I dealt with was very professional, helpful and friendly. The facilities are excellent. We are truly fortunate to have high quality service in Christchurch. Ortho/ bones, Christchurch Hospital No suggestions, no complaints, plenty of compliments. Keep up the good work. Hagley Outpatients, Christchurch Hospital Very efficient and friendly. Well done. Plastic Surgery, Burwood Hospital Very efficient. Most friendly. Thank you. Urology, Christchurch Hospital I consider everything was spot on. All procedures were explained at all stages. Keep up the good work. Respiratory Physiology Lab Had an appointment for my eldest son here today. The lady we had our appointment with was amazing! I had my toddler with me who was full on (always is). She was so accommodating with him and went out of her way to make him feel included and not in the way. Great experience for all. Thank you. Plastics, Burwood Hospital Very good service. Ward 18, Christchurch Hospital A very grateful patient would like to thank everybody for the care I received, for the friendliness, for the concern shown to me over the last three weeks, and for the work it has taken to get me well enough to return to Australia. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for you all. Thank you most sincerely. Ward 17, Christchurch Hospital The night nurse for Ward 17 is very professional, diligent, caring and has been one of the best nurses I have had the privilege to be cared for by(I have been in hospital for over a month). Debbie from the catering team who serves Ward 17 has a caring nature and takes the extra step to provide a good food service. She is awesome. Intensive Care Unit and Ward 15, Christchurch Hospital Fabulous service while our aunt was in ICU. Couldn’t fault the staff, they were absolutely brilliant. Thank you so very much for making us welcome and comfortable. Her palliative care was super and totally met our needs and requirements. Ward 20, Christchurch Hospital As a nurse myself (20+ years) I probably wasn’t the easiest of patients to look after (I was in a lot of pain when I first came in). I have mostly been cared for by the two new grads on the ward. Although they are both very different in their approach. I found the care they gave me to be excellent relative to their experience level. I would like this information passed on to both Elliot and Celine, encouraging them both to continue to provide a high quality standard of care to all their patients.
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Clinical Board meeting November Update At the latest Clinical Board meeting, members raised concerns over the increasingly dangerous situation developing in Mental Health as a result of unprecedented demand. Dr Ruth Spearing, Acting Board Chair, says the Clinical Board stressed the urgency of the matter to the Chief Executive. “It is of real concern to the Clinical Board as this is a really serious situation that creates significant risk to both our patients and staff due to the excessive number of patients needing care. The DHB needs to secure more resource in this area before it becomes a disaster.” “The people of Christchurch have taken a battering since the earthquakes and a lot of the issues around housing are still very real almost four years on – and are much of what is driving this demand in Mental Health. But we can’t maintain this level of demand. It’s just not sustainable.” At the meeting, the Clinical Board also heard from James Young, Canterbury DHB Sustainability Officer. Dr Spearing says James presented his sustainability policy noting key target areas. “The board has resolved to recommend to the Chief Executive that the Canterbury DHB join the Global Green Health Hospitals network and approve the amended sustainability principals/policy.” Helen Little, Senior Dietician, fed back to the Clinical Board and the CEO on the second meeting she had attended with HBL with regard to the proposed national food contract. Considerable clinical concerns were raised about the impact of the proposal. Following an in depth discussion, the Clinical Board’s advice was that permission should be sort from HBL to allow the actual details of the business case to be looked at by key clinical members of the organisation with regard to its impact, before it was taken to the Canterbury DHB Board. “Food is one of the cheapest medicines that we have and it is important that we ensure that we have the flexibility so that different patient groups get what they require. It has been estimated that some 30 percent of patients coming into the hospital have malnutrition and need a high protein diet. Likewise people on antipsychotics need low carbohydrate, high roughage diets because of their risk of metabolic syndrome,” Dr Spearing says.
Read ‘Beyond the Image’ the National Radiology Service Improvement Initiative December newsletter. Be sure to read the article about the talented Christchurch Hospital radiology service appointments team that keeps bookings on track. Also read about the team at Northland DHB that has introduced small changes in their radiology service since Learning Session Zero.
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Friday 1415March Monday December 2014 2014
Could you be a Patient Information Care System ‘super user’? – No costume required Canterbury District Health Board, in conjunction with the South Island Alliance is working on one of the largest technology enabled projects the South Island has ever seen, that will significantly change the way healthcare is delivered. The Patient Information Care System (PICS) project will ensure our patients receive the best care by integrating patient information, not only across the Canterbury Health System, but across the whole region. To assist in the effective implementation of this project, we need ‘super users’ - perhaps like you, who are experts in the processes that need to be in place to ensure patients receive the care they need and that their health care experience is the best possible. Our ideal super user will have: An interest in the development and testing of new healthcare systems, with an interest and aptitude for IT/ technology-based solutions Expertise and extensive experience in the use of our current patient administration systems A passion for the quality of patient care and experience Attention to detail and an appreciation for efficient processes A positive attitude that embraces change for the better Interpersonal skills that will assist in informing or even delivering staff training Nice, but not essential: Being faster than a speeding bullet Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound Skills in the deployment of underwear on the outside Able to find a phone box. The successful candidates will; Ensure the PICS system is able to meet both current and future needs Help complete user-acceptance testing of the new system Assist with scheduling and delivering interactive demonstration ahead of ‘go live’ Assist with development of training materials and delivery of training to users Champion the need for change and the benefits the new PICS system will bring and respond to questions or issues raised about the upcoming change. The position is a full time secondment to the PICS team, from now through the go live in September 2015, with the potential for extension. Following go live, our super users will have dedicated time available each week to assist with continued training and support of colleagues until new skills are embedded and the implementation has been judged a success. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in one of the biggest programmes for positive change CDHB has yet seen. If you can help and would like to be involved contact Heather Ewing, Recruitment Specialist on (03) 364 0599 or email:heather.ewing@cdhb.health.nz
Read the latest SCIRT news here
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Career helping patients rewarding Christchurch Hospital Clinical Neurophysiologist, Grant Carroll, remembers how years of paper recordings of patients’ brainwaves used to fill a whole room. The electroencephalography (EEG) recordings, which record electrical activity from the scalp, are used to diagnose epilepsy and other disorders of brain structure and function. Each recording is about 20 minutes long and prior to 2004 resulted in a “very long run of paper”, about 120 pages of A5 for each patient. The recordings were stored in rooms in the Riverside block of Christchurch Grant Carroll Hospital before being moved to Antigua Street “where they needed a room to house them all,” Grant says. The change to the digital age came in 2004 and since then they have all been stored on DVD and are now recorded on to a virtual network server. Grant began work at CDHB 36 years ago in 1978 and is retiring from his role at Christchurch Hospital this Friday, however he will continue his private practice. Clinical neurophysiologists work in the diagnostic side of neurology and are responsible for analysing and interpreting recordings such as EEGs, nerve conduction studies and EMGs (recordings of muscle electrical activity). Grant, a member of the Neurological Association of New Zealand and previously an Honorary Fellow in the Department of Medicine of the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine, says one of the best parts of the job has been the people he has worked with. “The three neurophysiology technicians in my team have worked with me for between seventeen and twenty-seven years.” Helping patients was extremely rewarding. “It’s mostly the case that a patient comes to me not knowing what is wrong with them and it is satisfying to be able to help find that out,” he says. John Fink, Clinical Director Neurology says, Grant is the longest-serving member of the department of neurology and has been the backbone of the clinical neurophysiology service for the hospital and the region. “EEG and nerve conduction studies remain a vital part of neurological diagnosis and decision-making for management. It is a measure of Grant’s contribution that we will be dividing his workload between three neurologists in order to keep this essential service running.”
As 2014 draws to a close, the Alliance is busier than ever - check out some of the latest developments in the December Update. It includes news on the facilities and maintenance teams $4m savings, RL6 becoming Safety 1st, the Alliance's workshop on consumer engagement, and hear the experience of one of their consumers.
Monday 15 December 2014
Bake-off a sweet success The Department of Nursing held its first 'Bake Off' last Wednesday. There was a total of 14 entries in the team building exercise. The winner was P.A, Pip O'Laughlin, with her orange cake entry, a recipe from the Neonatal Cook Book. Second was Nursing Director, Lynne Johnson, with her brownie cake. Nurse Co-ordinator, Quality, Vickie Attewell, was a very close third with her chocolate coated fudge. The judges, Finance Manager, Alan Katzef, and Revenue Accountant, Andrew Meier, would like to let everybody know that they are available for further 'Bake Off's'. The Finance Department has suggested a ‘Bake Off’ between Finance and the Department of Nursing.
Above: Judges, Alan and Andrew, taste the entries.
This is being seriously considered for the New Year. Winner, PA to Heather Gray, Pip O’Laughlin , with judges, Finance Manager, Alan Katzef, left and Revenue Accountant Andrew Meier.
Get your Christmas cards, out now This year's Christmas card has been designed by our Allright? team. It acknowledges our challenging year and reminds people to 'take a breather' over the break. If you would like to order printed copies please send an email to natasha.capon@cdhb.health.nz. You can also email the card. If you are using Outlook click here. Alternatively you can email a PDF – just put a Christmas message in your email and then attach.
Monday 15 December 2014
Emergency Department improvement starts from ‘Scratch’ Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department clinicians have recently worked with Orion Health to create a customised view of patient information that ensures they can access the information they need for patient care more easily. Three times a year, a “Scratcharama” team from Orion Health (this name has stuck, but where it came from, no-one seems to know) makes itself available to engage with staff in solving technical challenges. The team is often able to begin work on solutions on the spot. Dr Marc Gutenstein, an emergency consultant in ED with an interest in health informatics, tells the story of his team’s positive experience. “The ED is a high pressure environment where getting hold of the correct information about a patient’s health background quickly is critical for safe and effective care. With the help of Orion, we created a landing page in Health Connect South that brings the key information to the front.” “HCS is like a huge electronic filing system with all the information already in there, but in the past we had to look for it. We started by thinking about how we make our decisions in the ED, and then effectively designed a way of extracting what we need most often – recent interactions with the health system, x-rays, test results, allergies etc. - and presenting it on a single screen for each patient. ” “Although it still needs some fine tuning for functionality, it’s been received positively and we’ve had plenty of feedback that will help make it work better for us.” “As someone who works in an environment that is often resistant to change, it’s been refreshing and exciting to engage with the team at Orion whose trademark is innovative change. Their work process is a more dynamic and creative one. I’d like to think it has whetted the appetite of at least some of us to look for other possible improvements that could be achieved through technology. There is a second aspect to the Emergency Department’s work with Orion: The ED home screen. It provides a more intuitive visual overview of what is going on in the ED – who is waiting to be seen, how close to capacity the department is, who is being treated by whom and for what, and allows senior staff to consider the next step in each patient journey.
Marc joined CDHB as a full-time emergency consultant in the ED during the winter, having previously worked parttime. He has been in New Zealand for 12 years but also has related emergency care experience from the UK and Australia. An emergency consultant is responsible for the direct care of patients, for supervising the care delivered through junior doctors and nurses, and for the smooth running of the department as a whole – including patient flow and patient experience.
Monday 15 December 2014
Trip to Gallipoli to honour brave soldiers Princess Margaret Hospital Orderly, Barry Comerford, and his wife, Lucy, are looking forward to attending the Gallipoli Centenary commemoration in Turkey next year after being successful in the New Zealand ballot. The Australian, New Zealand and Turkish governments have agreed to allow 10,500 people at the 25 April 2015 commemorations and the countries had ballots to manage attendance numbers. As a family member, Barry had a one in 23 chance of being drawn. Barry, whose grandfather, Hartley Palmer, fought at Gallipoli, says he is travelling there to honour the soldiers involved in the illconceived campaign and “reflect on the insanity of war”. “We should never forget this ill-conceived campaign cost this fledgling country 2721 dead, and many more wounded and crippled for life.” Barry would like to contact any CDHB staff or others who are also attending. Hartley was a member of the Canterbury Battalion which embarked on the “Ethenic” at Lyttelton, he was one of 1300 troops onboard the ship, which also carried 400 horses. After months of training near Cairo the men boarded the “Itonis” and travelled in convoy to the 300m long beach, Anzac Cove, landing there on 24 April, 1914. “The planned landing zone was “Z” beach, which is 1300m long and with lower sloping terrain,” Barry says.
Above: Sergeant Hartley Palmer
The disaster of this error was blamed on the strong tidal rip, which carried the landing craft away from the intended site, another theory is that it was a navigational mistake. In his autobiography, “The Trail that I Followed” Hartley describes the horrors he experienced. “We stepped on to a beach strewn with dead and wounded men…bullets and shellfire were raining down on us,” he writes. Commenting on one of the battle manoeuvres they were ordered to carry out, Hartley said: “It was suicide for us, and my most vivid recollection was lying down side by side with five dead men. “Because of the dead bodies nearby, the flies were about in hundreds and the lice were as thick…We were unable to get drinking water and could not wash. We would stay this way for eight days until we were relieved by another company.” Hartley survived the battle (though he was reported killed in action when a man named Hector Palmer’s number was assigned to Hartley’s name in error) and was taken off the peninsula suffering from enteric fever, transported by hospital ship to the UK. Left: Barry Comerford
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Continued…. Hartley says: “The weather was extremely hot, but I reached the ship only to find no bed, so I lay on the cabin floor in a pair of pale blue trousers and an overcoat, the only belongings I had. Next day I was given a bed on deck.” It took Hartley a year to fully regain his health and fitness. Barry says his granddad returned to Gallipoli for the 50th anniversary and lived a full life, living to the age of 96. “I have very fond memories of my Granddad and despite his ordeal he was a wonderful man.” Anyone interested in contacting Barry can email barrycomerford@vodafone.co.nz or phone him on 322-4515.
Career dedicated to dental health The crisp white and red uniform of the dental nurse was one of the things that first attracted Janet Jones to the profession when she was just a little girl. But it was the satisfaction of making a real difference in the lives of children that kept her in the job for more than 46 years. Janet retires on Friday after dedicating her whole working life to Canterbury DHB’s dental service. She began her training in 1968 at the age of 18, living with other dental nurse students at the building known as the Maclean Mansion at 888 Colombo St, for the first year. “It was a beautiful place, so grand and big with a spectacular spiral staircase. You felt so regal going up and down those stairs,” she says. Janet graduated in 1970 and her first job was in West Auckland. She came back to Canterbury the following year and spent the rest of her career in mid and south Canterbury, living in Geraldine.
Janet Jones
“I always wanted to be a dental nurse from when I was at primary school, we had a lovely dental nurse and I admired her uniform of red cardigan, white dress, stockings and shoes and a white veil.” Janet says. “She used to let me help her after school while I waited for the school bus.” One of the highlights of her career was as a 22 year old joining other dental nurses on a march to Parliament in 1972 for better wages. The group met the Prime Minister of the time, Norman Kirk, on the steps of Parliament, and their request was granted - they received a significant pay increase. Looking back over the past more than four decades, Janet says it has been “the best time”. “I have enjoyed knowing that I made a difference to the dental health of so many children.” She has made good friends and colleagues over the years who she will miss. Volunteering, gardening and playing golf and bridge are in her retirement plans. Megan Gibbs, Service Manager for the school and community dental service, says she would like to acknowledge Janet’s dedicated service and her contribution to the Canterbury Health System. Right: Janet Jones, left, graduation day, February 1970. Monday 15 December 2014
Rose show continues to attract admirers The TPMH Rose Show delighted visitors with another beautiful range of rose varieties grown by staff this year. The winners were: Miniature Patio: 1st: Lisa Jellev, (name unknown). 2nd: Angela Heard, ‘Magic Carousel’ 3rd: Penny Hart, ‘Intrigue’ Floribunda: 1st: Angela Heard, ‘Raspberry Ice’. (Best in show and winner of cup.) 2nd: Wendy Fulton, (name unknown) 3rd: Pat Chapman, ‘Avalanche’. Hybrid Tea: 1st: Sue Gillan, (name unknown) 2nd: Pat Chapman, ‘Loving Memory’ 3rd: Pat Chapman, ‘Remember Me’ Climbers: 1st: 2nd:
Natalia Abdrashitova, ‘English Beauty’ No name, ‘Tango’
English Roses / David Austin 1st: Ellis Moonen, (name unknown) 2nd: Joanne Garron, (name unknown).
Angela Heard (left) – winner of ‘best in show’ with her Floribunda rose – ‘Raspberry Ice’.
Gratitude Challenge winners Three CDHB staff who won the Gratitude Challenge have happily received $150 prezzie cards, just in time for Christmas. The winners are: Staff Nurse, Amanda van Asperen, Hornby Community Clinic Dental Assistant, Reina Arias, and Resident Medical Officer, Chengyee Chan. The Gratitude Challenge ran for two weeks and 220 staff took part. It involved a fortnight of daily activities designed to inspire people and help them re-connect with the positive things in their life through cultivating the art, and science, of being grateful.
Above: Reina Arias
Reina says it was curiosity that led her to try the Gratitude Challenge, but after completing the task on the first day, she felt eager to do it again the next day.
“The messages before and after the task have inspired me to develop a more positive view of myself, my family, my work, and of everything around me.” The Gratitude Challenge was aimed at anyone who wanted to improve their general health and mental wellbeing, who need to de-stress, was feeling low or anxious, or in need of some inspiration in how to get the most out of life. Participants logged on to the challenge website www.healthchallengelive.co.nz daily for details of activities. They entered their responses to the activities each day to score points and get feedback. Activities were designed to fit into the work day and some took as little as two minutes.
Monday 15 December 2014
Healthy eating classes for migrants popular Mandarin, Cantonese and Korean speaking migrants living in Christchurch are learning how to cook healthily with unfamiliar Kiwi ingredients and methods, in classes taught in their own language. Asian immigrants can face a lot of food-related problems in New Zealand, says Pegasus Health Refugee and Migrant Health Manager, Wayne Reid. “Lifestyle” diseases are occurring among this group of immigrants due to changes in diet, unfamiliar foods, not being able to buy traditional cooking ingredients, and different cooking methods in New Zealand. In their home countries, fresh vegetables are easy to find at the numerous urban street markets, but such markets do not exist to the same extent in New Zealand. Frozen and canned vegetables, which are often cheaper, are often ignored as they are not considered healthy. Fish, commonly eaten in their home countries, is more expensive here and food labels are often not understood. As a result, people Above: Mariah Soh – Facilitator, Korean end up buying cheaper products which often have higher saturat- class. ed fat levels and more added salt and sugar. “International research suggests increases in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes among refugee and migrant people are a major concern,” Wayne says. “What Pegasus Health is trying to achieve through these courses is educate, inform and address the future burden of unmet need”, Wayne says. The Appetite for Life course teaches what healthy food is, where it can be found in the supermarkets; provides tastings of simple Western meals or Eastern food with Western ingredients or substitutes; and the basic structure of food labels so they can be read by anyone regardless of their language skills. “In China, people cook with gas, usually on a one or two-burner gas ring. Most meals are stir fried and baking is not common. Many people do not know how to use an electric oven,” Wayne says. Classes also teach about simple ways to include exercise in daily life. They are very popular and going from “strength to strength”, Wayne says. “Classes are free-of-charge, run for two hours per week for six weeks and participants learn an awful lot.” Asian immigrants have made the following comments: My parents, they’ve been here for 17 years. My parents had low blood pressure in Korea but now they have very high blood pressure. Their food has changed now, very much fat and meat. I’m just trying to learn how to make some Korean style of food with Western unfamiliar choices of the vegetable. Fish is much less. I can’t buy fruits such as lychee, dragoneye and various types of bananas, there is only one type of banana. And not many vegetable are available, I mean the green leafy vegetable. The food I really like is very expensive here so I eat much less tofu, bean sprout, vegetables, spring onion, ginger. Chinese class Facilitators, Spica Leung, left, and Irene Lee.
Asian food market price is expensive because everything has to be imported, so I think compared to all kinds of vegetables, the meat is cheaper. So we started to enjoy the meat like BBQ. Every day, just sizzling sausage. Monday 15 December 2014
Are you one of the 411? Two hundred and sixteen CDHB staff have been saved the need to contact our Service Desk due to the new User Account Management - Password Reset / Unlock Account Service. The new service went live on 2 December and allows enrolled users to unlock their network login account or reset their forgotten password, without the need to contact the Service Desk. Enrolment is quick and easy. The secure enrolment process requires you to answer three security questions and enter a mobile phone number so that you can receive a passcode that will allow you to unlock your account or reset your password. You must be enrolled prior to using this service, so don’t delay, enrol now. How do I enrol? Through the Intranet link – Password Reset / Unlock Account (Under Workday Essentials) or Type the following URL into Internet Explorer https://passwordreset.cdhb.health.nz/ or contact the Service Desk, who will be happy to help you enrol. The following user statistics show that we can do better still and we encourage you to enrol now before the Christmas break. Forgetting your password while you are on holiday is a traditional source of calls to the service desk when people return to work. Password Reset/ Unlock Account requests to Service desk since go live (2 December) —343 Enrolled users—2064 Non enrolled user accounts—7485 Used Password Reset service—34 Used Unlock Account service—109 Used Change Password service—21 Updated their CDHB phonebook info via service—247 Control / ALT / Delete prompt deployment to Windows 7 Computers— 4465 Control / ALT / Delete prompt computers still awaiting deployment—320 Requests not requiring service desk support as a result of User Account Management—411 Please note: at this stage the service can only be used by those with a staff account for computers and emails. Any accounts with a prefix on the username (eg. NS-, ven-, ser-) will not be able to use this service. It won’t work for Shared Accounts either.
Please take Gravida's National Health Workforce Survey and BE IN TO WIN a $100 shopping voucher of your choice! Gravida last ran the National Health Workforce Survey in August and received responses from health professionals all over New Zealand – thank you if you participated; every response is important to us. The Survey is open again for all maternal and early childhood health care professionals in New Zealand – whether or not you completed the survey in August, we want to hear from you! For more information.
Monday 15 December 2014
Keeping children safe Is the latch on the gate to your swimming pool working properly? Are there any parts of the fence small children might crawl under? Checking these and other safety aspects of a pool is one of the things New Zealanders can do to help children stay safe this summer. ‘Pool drownings are highly preventable,’ says Dr Felicity Dumble, chair of the Commission’s Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee. ‘We encourage everyone to follow some routine fence checks and make sure anything that could allow inadvertent access is remedied.’ Checks and other advice include:
ensure the gate latch clicks shut automatically. Over time the spring can become less effective. Hold the gate open at varying distances from the lock and check it springs shut and fully latches ensure there are no gaps under the gate when it is closed and there is no part of the fence small children could crawl under (maximum permissible gap between ground and fence/gate is 100mm) never prop the gate open check the condition of a metal fence. The joints can become weak due to rust and have been known to come apart with a firm tug check the condition of a timber fence. As the structure ages, the screws and nails can loosen and allow the slats to be removed. Similarly, the wood can age and weaken, so any rotting sections should be replaced always keep moveable objects (such as plastic chairs, bricks or pot plants) well away from the pool area. A child can drag them and then use them to climb over the fence remove any tree branches that could allow a child to gain access to the pool area clear toys from the pool area, so it is not tempting for children to go in.
Local councils throughout New Zealand can offer guidance on ensuring your pool meets all the safety regulations. Further information is available at Water Safety New Zealand: www.watersafety.org.nz. Pool access is just one part of ensuring children stay safe over summer, says Dr Dumble. ‘While we all like to relax at Christmas and during the holidays, we need to remain vigilant about the children around us – and in some cases be even more so,’ she says. ‘Babies and young children need sober caregivers and active supervision at all times, including during events such as summer barbecues and gatherings at the beach. ‘Even if away from home or at home with a house full of guests, babies need to sleep in a safe environment, which includes being smokefree, not too hot and in a cot or bassinet without pillows, loose blankets or any other bedding that might cover their faces. If you’re using a portable or unfamiliar cot, make sure it is up to standard and not faulty.’ With visitors arriving or departing, says Dr Dumble, extra care should be taken around vehicles in driveways, and drivers should not forget to check properly before reversing. ‘It’s all about remaining alert. That way we can keep our youngest New Zealanders out of harm’s way while we enjoy the holiday break.’
Monday 15 December 2014
Season’s greetings from the Recruitment Team We are rapidly approaching the festive season and want to make your job as easy and stress free as possible so you can enjoy the summer sun and Christmas celebrations. The Recruitment Team will have minimal staff working over the Christmas and New Year period so we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible to plan for your upcoming recruitment needs, to avoid unnecessary delays over the holiday season. Advertising over the Christmas and New Year period is not the most fruitful time to attract all the candidates you want. December is an ideal time to tie up loose ends on current recruitment processes and to plan any new advertising to start in the New Year when people are putting their resolutions into action and looking for a new challenge! We have a few wishes on our Christmas list….. Do you have any vacancies you want advertised that you haven’t already told us about? Contact your Recruitment Specialist immediately so we can ensure the recruitment process is completed before the Christmas break.
If you are anticipating a vacancy but don’t have approval to appoint yet, please get in contact with us so we can meet with you to complete a job brief. Perhaps you know of someone planning to take a sabbatical as a new year’s resolution or perhaps that team members’ maternity leave is creeping round faster than you thought. Tell us about the role now and we can have a advert drafted and all ready to go early next year.
Are you taking leave over this time? Let us know so we can arrange closing dates, interviews etc around these dates to avoid long periods of waiting for the candidates.
We hope you’ve had an amazing 2014 and look forward to working with you all in 2015 to recruit the best new additions to the CDHB family! Merry Christmas The Recruitment Team
Want to know more about roles available at the Canterbury District Health Board?
Visit https://cdhb.careercentre.net.nz Monday 15 December 2014
One minute with… Dean Rangihuna, Māori Consumer Advisor (Te Kaihapai) Ko Horouta toku Waka,Ko Waiapu toku Awa,Ko Hikurangi toku Maunga,Ko Hinerupe toku Marae, Ko Ngāti Porou toku iwi,No Kawakawa mai Tawhiti ahau. My ancestors came on a waka, the Horouta, from Hawaiki, travelling down the Waiapu River passing the prestigious and majestic mountain, Hikurangi, and coming to a place called Te Araroa where my whare wairua/spiritual house, Hinerupe, stands in its awesome glory. What does your job involve? Firstly I must pay tribute to the other Māori consumer advisors who have paved the way for me to be here today. I advise at a systemic level in policy and mental health service delivery, with the help of my consumer advisory team - bearing in mind that my point of difference is to advise from a cultural perspective. I provide cultural advice and expertise to the Specialist Mental Health Services (SMHS) from a tangata whaiora (consumer) perspective that supports continuous quality improvement throughout SMHS. I participate in the recruitment of staff to the designated service areas, and also participate in training and education of SMHS staff. Why did you choose to work in this field? I chose this field because of having a history of mental illness. However I’m in a good place in my own recovery where I want to give back to make a difference for a tangata whaiora’s journey through SMHS. What do you like about it? Whakawhanaungatanga/building relationships with other mental health disciplines throughout SMHS. I love meeting with consumers from all ethnic backgrounds in a general sense, whether in the café area, around the grounds, or during my ward rounds with my colleagues. What are the challenging bits? The interface between cultural and clinical can be challenging at times, “Naau te rourou, naaku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi”, meaning “With your basket and my basket the people will get well.” Whakawhanaungatanga is the Māori model referring to that of building relationships that engages both mainstream and Māori services working in a genuine bicultural partnership towards best practice and best outcomes when working with our tangata whaiora and their whānau. Who do you most admire in a professional capacity at work and why? I most admire staff at Te Korowai Atawhai and Pukenga Atawhai, who are specialist cultural practitioners working alongside specialist clinical mental health teams throughout the mental health division. Te Kahui Pou/Māori Executive committee have supported and helped me so much in my personal and professional development, and the CDHB SMHS Consumer Advisors team has helped me immensely with increasing my knowledge around processes and systems. I honour and admire those two services for where I am today. The last book I read was… Te Araroa, which encapsulates the history and whakapapa/genealogy, and stories of old that relate to my kainga tuturu/place of upbringing. If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be… Rarotonga, a place of spirituality and tranquillity, with a wide range of exciting places to venture and explore, coupled with amazing quietness of the sea outside your doorstep whilst watching the sun go down and when you get up, watching the sun rise. My ultimate Sunday would involve… Mahinga kai me ruku kaimoana, picking watercress to have with my bacon bones whilst on my way to Kaikoura and gathering seafood within the realm of Tangaroa and staying overnight on the beach with Sky TV (the stars and moon with a light northwest wind). One food I really dislike is… Tripe in white sauce My favourite music is…. Māori waiata and renowned guitar music. If you would like to take part in this column or would like to nominate someone please contact Naomi.Gilling@cdhb.health.nz.
Monday 15 December 2014
Dean Rangihuna
In brief
TPMH staff enjoyed their Christmas BBQ last Friday. Thank you to all involved!
Christmas Story and Carols The Staff Christmas Service of Carols is being held in the Christchurch Hospital Chapel on Tuesday 16 December, 12.15 to 12.45pm. All staff along with patients and their family are welcome to join in this celebration of the Christmas Story. The Hospital Chapel is on the Ground Floor, Parkside East, behind the lifts and by the internal entrance to the Emergency Department.
Monday 15 December 2014