Canterbury DHB CEO Update

22 November 2013 - Outstanding Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards Outstanding innovations from the Canterbury Health System have been recognised this week at the Canterbury District Health Board Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards.

David Meates

The awards first began in 2003 to recognise, reward, and showcase quality improvement and innovation projects.

This year's awards ceremony covered the following categories: Best Value for Public Health System Resources; Improved Quality, Safety and Experience of Care; Improved Health and Equity for Populations.

The awards are a great way to recognise the innovative work of staff dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people throughout Canterbury. We have incredibly innovative staff committed to excellence and delivering patient-centred care. These awards are a chance to showcase the best of the best in making our health system better.

The 18 entrants from across the Canterbury Health System all deserve to be congratulated.

The work and effort that‟s gone into each project entry is outstanding and they all contribute to our goal of: no wait, no harm, no waste.

The successful recipients of this year's Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards: Supreme Award Winners eSCRV- Shared Care Record View Reducing Pneumonia in the Stroke Population Improved Health & Equity for Populations Award Winner: eSCRV- Shared Care Record View Runner-up: The Wellbeing Game Improved Quality, Safety & Experience of Care Award Winner: Classification and Communication of Caesarean Section Runner-up: Canterbury Ski Fields Project

eSCRV team

Best Value for Public Health System Resources Award Winner: Shorter Turnaround Time for Urine Analysis in Microbiology Joint Runner-up: Reducing Pneumonia in the Stroke Population Joint Runner-up: Cardiac Catheter Laboratory Reducing Pneumonia in Stroke Population team Optimisation Project Highly Commended: Script 4 Change, From High Tea to the Empowered Me, Collaborative Care Programme Consumer Council Award: Collaborative Care Programme

Farewell Martin McFarlane I was privileged to join a group of Martin‟s colleagues and friends to farewell him and reflect on his 32 years with the DHB in its various guises. For those of you who don‟t know Martin, he started with us in 1981 and was the foundation neurosurgeon who established the Neurosurgical Unit in Christchurch and he is the inaugural clinical director of the South Island Neurosurgical Service.

His training and career has seen him working in Australia and the UK. He is highly respected and valued nationally for his clinical skills in paediatrics, pain management, pituitary and acoustics as well as general neurosurgery.

Story continued overleaf

The Neurosurgical Unit in Christchurch now has four neurosurgeons, covers most of the South Island, sees over 2000 outpatients, has 1300 admissions and performs around 700 operations each year.

In the last 32 years he has operated on 7966 patients, who I am sure will join me in saying a massive thanks Martin for your skill and professionalism, your passion and your commitment to Canterbury and the South Island.

I wish you well in your retirement and with more time for playing the violin I hope you will come back for next year‟s Doctor/ Artist evening.

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) takes out top honours in this year’s National Workplace Wellbeing Awards The National Workplace Wellbeing Awards recognise excellence in workplace health and wellness programmes, and are run by the Heart Foundation and the Health and Productivity Institute of New Zealand.

CDHB was presented with the award for the best new programme at the 'Create a healthy workplace on a budget' forum at Te Papa, Wellington on 19 November. .

The award recognises the significant progress CDHB has made supporting staff since the earthquakes.

Like everyone else in Canterbury CDHB staff have been through a lot over the last three years.

Earthquakes have caused disruption on a massive scale, both at home and at work. Our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that health services continue to be provided despite these challenges.

CDHB has recognised the challenges facing staff and have put in place a series of programmes and initiatives to support staff wellbeing.

Being the largest employer in the South Island and working in health it‟s important we lead from the front when it comes to the wellbeing of staff.

Investing in the wellbeing of our staff makes sense on many levels. Ultimately, improved staff wellbeing will lead to increased engagement and productivity, and better patient care.

Late last year we conducted our inaugural Staff and Family Wellbeing Survey. The survey was designed to gauge how staff are coping since the earthquakes and to highlight areas where the CDHB may be able assist staff with their recovery.

As a result of the survey of a small group of specialist staff was formed to oversee the development of a staff wellbeing programme. In a short period of time the Staff Wellbeing Action Group have overseen the roll out of a wide range of wellbeing programmes, including: Lunch time walking groups Weightwatchers at work Access to Earthquake Support Coordination Service Seminars on finance, retirement, and men‟s health Global Corporate Challenge (CDHB were the top team in NZ this year) Pilates, yoga and Zumba Mindfulness sessions and promotion of the Wellbeing Game Smoking cessation support Many of these initiatives are run by staff volunteers or by working with local businesses. Canterbury DHB continues to work with Canterbury retailers to expand our staff discount scheme.

Our staff are our greatest resource and it‟s great to be recognised for the progress we‟ve made supporting staff wellbeing. Canterbury‟s ongoing recovery, combined with the disruption caused by our extensive repair and rebuild programme, highlight the importance of continuing to invest in the wellbeing of our staff.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Friday 22 November 2013

Everyone’s talking about it Everyone‟s talking about the new mock up at the Design Lab. Have you been out for a visit yet? All staff are welcome to make a time and come for a tour.

New designs and layouts for administration workspaces in our new facilities are being explored. Our goal is to come up with a modern people-friendly environment that could be replicated in all our new facilities.

We value the opinions of all CDHB staff and encourage as many of you as possible to put our preliminary layout to the test.

Don‟t miss the opportunity to see how natural light is being used in the design, find out how the designers are dealing with the acoustics, and discover the quiet rooms with a guided tour of the space. The tours will last one hour and, after a short presentation, visitors will be able to sit at the desks and experience the environment first hand.

We prefer if you book your visit at the Design Lab at Print Place in Middleton (off Birmingham Drive), by contacting Margo Mainwaring on Phone: 3377892 or ext 66892 or 021 147 0555 or by email Margo.mainwaring@cdhb.health.nz however, if you suddenly find you have an hour to spare, please give Margo a call to see if there‟s anyone at the Design Lab to show you around

The following dates and times are available: Thursday 21 November 9.00-10.00am * 10.30-11.30am * 1.30-2.30pm * 3.00-4.00pm Friday 22 November 9.00am-10.00am * 10.30am-11.30am * 12.00-1.00pm * 1.30-2.30pm * 3.00-4.00pm Monday 25 November – Friday 29 November 2013 inclusive 9.00-10.00am * 10.30-11.30am * 12.00-1.00pm * 1.30-2.30pm * 3.00-4.00pm *ADDITIONAL EVENING SESSIONS BY SPECIAL REQUEST* Tuesday 26 November 5.30-6.30pm and 7.00 -8pm.

Please note that each guided tour will be approximately one hour (time allowed for questions included).

Here’s what some of this week’s visitors had to say: “The workspace is a lot bigger than I thought it would be” “It will stop us working in silos and help us to join hands again” “It will be great us all working in one area – do some work and then stretch your legs and go and see someone” “…wow, I‟m part of building a new state of the art hospital…”

“The skylight is huge” “It makes me want to sit down and work”

Friday 22 November 2013

It’s All Happening – a message for staff and visitors to Burwood The major ground works for the Burwood hospital development will be starting next week. These works are to prepare and level the ground ahead of the actual build.

In preparation, several areas of the site are being fenced off.

When all fences are up, staff parking will no longer be available in the old afternoon staff car park and in the area between this and Beacon House.

Staff and visitors should now park in the new car park at the temporary main entrance. This car park is accessed via Gate 3 on Mairehau Rd. Some limited time-restricted parking will remain near the Physical Medicine Building, for patients accessing this area.

The back car park near the old Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services building will also be fenced off, but an access way will remain to enable Pain Management patients to use this area. Pain Management staff are asked to use the parking outside the group room at the back of Pain Management (Public Health).

The Champion Centre and Public Health can continue using their parking as normal at this stage.

To find out more about our facilities redevelopment projects, visit the CDHB intranet site and click on the Facilities Redevelopment button on the top bar. At the Burwood site we have three webcams set up to monitor progress: to give you some idea of the scale of the works, take a look at the new “Mt Burwood” on webcam 3.

Mound at Burwood shows work in progress http://cdhbintranet/corporate/FacilitiesDevProjectBur/SitePages/Webcam.aspx

Tips from the CDHB Communications Guide As reported last week, the new CDHB Communications Guide can be found here: http://intraweb/manuals/Documents/PDF/Commsguide%20November%20interactive.pdf It can also be found on the intranet under: Library & Manuals – CDHB Policies – Handbooks – Communications Guide.

The summary section of the new guide provides some basic guidelines: use Arial 12 point text for main text and Arial 14 point for headings are standard. Where space is tight the font size can be reduced but should not appear lower than 10 point in some cases Times New Roman is the only option eg in computer generated software. This is ok shorter documents less jargon, fewer abbreviations and acronyms plain English - be clear and concise, not wordy no elaborate heading styles or complex numbering of paragraphs Canterbury DHB or CDHB New Zealand or U.K. English spelling (not U.S.) no capital letters for things that are general descriptions (community, iwi, heath sector, nursing) but capital letters for titles and names of services pre-printed stationery which can be used in your printer is available from your Document Administrator or administration staff Please note: CDHB Templates to which the guide links, are in the process of being updated and the format currently shown is not correct. It is planned to have the new templates on the new intranet by 20 December.

Friday 22 November 2013

Canterbury committed to improving care A Health Quality and Safety Commission report shows Canterbury District Health Board is committed to transparent and open reporting of Serious Adverse Events to people in its care.

On Thursday 21 November 2013 the Health Quality and Safety Commission released: Making Our Hospitals Safer, which summarises the Serious and Adverse Events (SAE) reported by all 20 District Health Boards from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013.

The number of events reported by most DHBs has risen from the previous year, and this is believed to be the result of better reporting.

Canterbury DHB had 21 clinical management incidents or medication events plus 26 falls – a total of 47 Serious Adverse Events in the 2012-2013 financial year. This is slightly down on the previous financial year when Canterbury DHB reported 27 Serious and Adverse Events and 22 falls (49 events).

This is the Health Quality & Safety Commission‟s fourth report on SAEs, and the seventh report to be published since reporting on these events began.

However, it is the first report to include events reported by a number of non-DHB providers such as private surgical hospitals, rest-homes, hospices, disability services, ambulance services, primary health organisations, the national screening unit and primary care providers.

Dr Nigel Millar, Canterbury DHB Chief Medical Officer, says reporting events and investigating the cause helps the Canterbury Health System change the way it works to improve care provided to patients.

“Providing optimal care to the people of Canterbury is always the priority for the people who work in our health system,” Dr Millar says.

“However, there are known risks with many procedures, and we know there are additional risks for some groups of people when they are in hospital.

“Our job is to design systems that take this knowledge into account and minimise the risks. Staff strive to do the best for their patients however, things sometimes go wrong.

“When there is a serious adverse event for a person, it‟s vital that we do everything we can to see how it went wrong through being transparent and open around reviewing our processes so that it doesn‟t happen again and so we can minimise any further harm from occurring.

“In Canterbury we are developing a „just‟ culture, which means it‟s ok to own up when things have gone wrong. In fact, it‟s a clinician‟s responsibility to report serious adverse events and near misses‟ so we continue to learn and improve our systems following an adverse event.”

Dr Millar says health professionals are skilled, motivated and committed to providing the best care possible for patients.

“The reporting of SAEs is about learning from incidents that happen in order to prevent a recurrence, where possible. It is not about apportioning blame.” .

“Also the number or rate of reported SAEs is not a good way to judge a hospital‟s safety as a hospital reporting a larger number of events than others may have better systems in place for reviewing SAEs, more of a focus on safety, or provide a more complex range of health services,” Dr Nigel Millar says

Corporate Christmas cards Design work on this year‟s Corporate Christmas card is underway.

The plan is to have a printed option and an e-card version available.

We will get the options to you as soon as we can and then ask for print orders.

Friday 22 November 2013

Bouquets

Ward 15, Christchurch Hospital Doing a superb job. My Grandad seems very happy with the service you are providing him. Thank you for taking care of him.

Wards 15 and 16, Christchurch Hospital During my overnight stay I found all the nurses and doctors so helpful and compassionate. Thanks.

Ward 31, The Princess Margaret Hospital “Our contact with you from when our Dad arrived until his death was a privilege.

You showed us how you can care for the dying with compassion and integrity. Your professionalism when working with Dad was amazing from monitoring him, turning him, washing him and even shaving him. It made us feel humble as we watched and tried to come to terms with his dying.

We were so grateful for the Whānau Family Room that catered for us as we took turns sitting with Dad or sleeping. This is such an asset for families like ours to be able to be close....

We know at times we were noisy, with such a large family coming and going...asking questions and generally making ourselves at home. You must have been tested. But your tolerance of us all was most appreciated. The kindness you showed us individually and as a family that week was heart-warming.

You did the most amazing preparation of Dad just after he died and so when we returned to his room he was washed and dressed ready for us all to say our goodbyes. Even in death you showed such respect for his life. You are a truly gifted group of nurses and carers and for that we thank you.

We wish you all the best....”

A blessing was held in the area behind the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service (BIRS) building at Burwood Hospital on Tuesday.

Staff gathered to share memories and acknowledge those they have worked with over the years and patients they have cared for.

Friday 22 November 2013

Canterbury Hospitals’ Friday Clinical Meeting (Grand Round) 29 November 2013, 12.15-1.15pm (lunch from 11.50 am) Speakers: Mr Jason Erasmus and Dr Chris Lim, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery “The role of intra-operative imaging and navigation in post-traumatic orbital reconstruction” Speaker: Dr Sue Nightingale, Chief of Psychiatry “Treatment of patients who can’t consent” This presentation has a legal focus discussing our authority to treat patients who can‟t consent and examining the extent of their rights and protections.

Chair: Dr Rick Acland Venue: Rolleston Lecture Theatre Video Conference set up in: • Burwood Meeting Room • Meeting Room, Level 1 PMH • Wakanui Room, Ashburton • Telemedicine Room, Admin. Building 6 – Hillmorton Friday Grand Round – 6 December 2013 Professor Tim Coats, University of Leicester, UK Peter Moodie, Medical Director Pharmac Chair - Dr Kate Grundy

Canterbury Medical Library Moves to New Search Tool Canterbury Medical Library and all other University of Otago libraries, are upgrading their library system. As part of this project, a new library search tool will be launched on 2 December.

This tool will integrate the library catalogue and other electronic resources.

There‟s further information about the new system and the upgrade on the Bulletin Board www.otago.ac.nz/otagobulletin/news/ otago059055.html You can also check the Latest News section of the University of Otago library website, in Dunedin, to see if there are any updates and other information – www.otago.ac.nz/library If you have any queries, please contact us on 364 0500 (extension 80500), or email us, on librarycml.uoc@otago.ac.nz

The Little Things Make a World of Difference The infectious laughter, the impulsive hugs and kisses and the smiles that melt away the cares of the world are the hallmarks of happy, healthy children. All too often they‟re taken for granted. Until, of course, they‟re not so happy and very, very unwell.

Radio Lollipop was officially launched on Thursday. It is hoped it will bring a little more joy to the lives of those children in Christchurch Hospital when it commences a radio broadcast direct into the Children‟s Ward from a converted campervan. Initially the station will broadcast three times a week, for two hours a night.

Established in 1979 at the Queen Mary‟s Hospital for Children in Surrey, England, Radio Lollipop is an international charity whose volunteers around the world provide care, comfort, play and entertainment to children in hospital. Volunteer DJs take requests, put children “on air” from their bedside while other volunteers work at their bedside playing games, creating crafts and running competitions.

“Radio Lollipop provides a unique experience for children while they are in hospital. The hospital environment can be very stressful for children. Radio Lollipop provides distraction in a fun way,” says Anne Morgan, Service Manager of Child Health at Christchurch Hospital.

Radio Lollipop volunteers have been quietly working with children in the wards at the Christchurch Hospital, since July this year, reading stories and organising play time. The pressures on physical space within Christchurch Hospital, due to damage sustained during the earthquake, necessitated an innovative solution for a broadcast facility.

It has taken more than a year to raise the money required to purchase a mobile vehicle and convert it into a fully operational broadcast unit.

The mobile station is a first of its kind for the organisation internationally and will be parked at the Riverside entrance to the hospital during the hours of broadcast.

The frequency of broadcast will increase as more volunteers are trained in the ways of radio.

Click here to read the full media release and more facts about Radio Lollipop http://www.scoop.co.nz/ stories/GE1311/S00069.htm

Friday 22 No-

Special week for Mental Health Services just ahead The signs are up and it‟s all go with the 150th anniversary of Specialist Mental Health Services in Canterbury.

Commemorations for the anniversary kick off on Monday 25 November at Hillmorton Hospital with an opening ceremony, tree planting, blessings and opening of both an historical display and art exhibition (Destination Wellbeing).

A commemorative bench will be placed between two newly planted Dogwood trees with a plaque. Special fencing will be erected alongside this area and people invited to share some memories or reflections of the past by writing these on paper and pinning them onto the fence.

The historical display will be opened by Dame Margaret Bazley and the „Destination Wellbeing‟ exhibition by artist Tony Cribb (well-known for his Tin Man artworks).

A cake cutting ceremony will finish off the day.

The official events on 25 November are for invited guests only with the public invited to view the display and exhibition from Tuesday 26 November – Sunday 1 December 10am-4pm. The week of events winds up on Sunday 1 December with A Mental Health Community Family Day 11am-3pm.

All these activities are on site at Hillmorton Hospital with free entry.

Historical Display: 1863 to 2013 and beyond - a timeline of key developments in Mental Health Services in Canterbury.

Among the artefacts on display will be: A New Zealand Mental Nurse medal belonging to Alice Pearson a nurse from Sunnyside Hospital who graduated in 1924.

An aerial photograph of the hospital in 1938.

Fire Regulations.

Rule Books.

Service Keys.

Asylum china fragments.

An assortment of interesting photographs and information.

The Art Exhibition: Destination Wellbeing features artwork created by consumers/Tangata Whaiora, their family-Whānau and Staff from the Mental Health Sector.

The Mental Health Community Family Day is an opportunity for fun, education and a chance to win some fantastic prizes. There will be stalls, rides, activities and musical performances. In addition some fantastic prizes can be won on the day. These include return airfares for two people to Singapore (courtesy of Singapore Airlines) with a $500 travel voucher thanks to Orbit Travel which can be used for accommodation.

Prize entry is subject to terms and conditions. Click here to view these.

More information about the 150th Anniversary of Mental Health Services in Canterbury can be found here.

Friday 22 November 2013

Love of art and life experiences lead to friendship Melissa McCreanor and Wendy Quigley recently met while working on the „Destination Wellbeing‟ art exhibition which is one of the events commemorating 150 years of mental health services in Canterbury.

Both women‟s lives are affected by mental illness and they have found a special link through their life experiences and their love of art.

Melissa currently works as a Co-ordinating Family Advisor/ Social Worker at Hillmorton Hospital. When she was ten years old her mother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Her parents separated a year later and Melissa became her mother‟s primary support person.

Wendy has rapid cycle bi-polar disorder. She is bringing up two children on her own. Originally diagnosed with post-natal depression, Wendy was admitted to the Mothers and Babies Unit at The Princess Margaret Hospital in Christchurch.

Her bipolar diagnosis came weeks later and after 14 months in and out of hospital and many trials of medications and having ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy) she started putting her life back together.

Parenting can be difficult at the best of times but having a mental illness makes it that much harder. Art is a release for both women. They both feel that it is their time to reflect, create and to have time for themselves.

Melissa and Wendy are part of the subcommittee organising the Destination Wellbeing art exhibition and are both exhibiting artworks.

This story has been abridged due to space limitations. Click here for the full story.

Above: Melissa McCreanor (left) and Wendy Quigley share a love of art

Friday 22 November 2013

One of Wendy’s artworks

Making the mental health consumer’s journey the best it can be In 1986, at 26 years of age, Linda Smith became one of the youngest Charge Nurses working for the Canterbury District Health Board. Her role in the Paediatric Medical Oncology Ward at Christchurch Hospital was a very challenging one. Not all children admitted to the ward survived and the losses took their toll on all the staff.

Linda remembers that it was after a particularly bad three week period, when 13 children in the ward died from their illness that her life took a turn for the worse.

It was a very serious development for Linda who says she was psychotic and didn‟t want to see her family for a while. She spent four months in C Ward during which time ECT treatment was recommended. Linda refused. Instead she was put on a course of “heavy” medication which had a lot of nasty side effects.

Once she was feeling better Linda decided she could return to work.

Unfortunately easing back in with part time hours wasn‟t an option. Linda went back full time and four days later was back in C Ward.

Consumer Advisor Linda Smith

Sadly Linda ended up back in hospital this time at Sunnyside (now Hillmorton) Hospital. Over the next nine years Linda spent periods of up to three years at a time at Hillmorton Hospital moving between the Fergusson Wards and a rehabilitation unit.

Fortunately in 1994 a new psychiatrist was brought in to her care and quickly identified that she had a physical illness which also severely affected her mental health. Her life changed.

Although no longer needing hospital care Linda is still the care of a community team of Specialist Mental Health Services and has a good relationship with her case manager and Psychiatrist.

In 2004 Linda became a Consumer Advisor for Specialist Mental Health Services within the Canterbury DHB. “I love my job. It allows me to advise on consumer issues at CDHB level through Directorate and Quality groups. My personal and professional experience has made me a great consumer advisor.

It‟s great to be able to give something back. The DHB has been very supportive of me in this role, I‟m here to help make the consumer‟s journey the best it can be,” says Linda. This story has been abridged due to space limitations. Click here for the full story.

Click here to see what is happening as part of the commemorations.

Linda is on the organising committee for the 150th Anniversary of Mental Health services in Canterbury.

Public invited to name 13 key cycleways Canterbury people are being invited to suggest names for each of the 13 key cycleway routes to be built in the city over the next five years.

Construction of the $68.3 million network is expected to take five years, with Christchurch City Council allocating $34.5 million to the project and other improvements in the Three Year Plan 2013-16, with the remainder falling in the following two years. The network of connected cycleways will link suburbs, education, business and shopping areas as well as popular recreational destinations.

Name suggestions will be considered by a judging panel to determine finalists. A public vote will help determine the winning name for each route, with the final decision to be made by the Council.

As an incentive, there is a prize of a new bike and helmet package for the person whose name is selected for each of the 13 routes. If there are multiple, separate entries that nominate a name that is later chosen for the route, a draw will be held to determine the nominating entrant who claims the prize.

Name suggestions must be received by 5pm on 12 January, 2014. For terms and conditions and to submit a name, go to www.futurechristchurch.co.nz

Friday 22 November 2013

A minute with...

A minute with…Lisa Bee, Nurse Educator, Acute Orthopaedic Service What does your job involve?

I am the Nurse Educator for the Acute Orthopaedic service, 150 nurses work for our service in the OOPD (in full) “Bone Shop”, Ward 18 and Ward 19/Trauma Unit.

My role is multifaceted including all aspects of patient care. I believe my role as a Nurse Educator has an important impact on patient care delivery and patient satisfaction and outcomes, as education provision should always come back to patients‟ needs. Every role has a job description; but I feel the Nurse Educator position description is just the foundation for me and my role. I like to be open, flexible and incorporate my role with the needs of the orthopaedic service.

I am involved with several CDHB groups and campaigns including the Falls Committee and both orthopaedic wards are Dedicated Education Units (DEUs). I am a people person, but alas the paperwork must be done.

Why did you choose to work in this field?

Orthopaedics is where my heart is, I have now worked in the orthopaedic environment for 21 yrs in different roles from a new grad to my current role. I am also passionate about oncology within the orthopaedic setting. I am grateful to Orthopaedic Surgeon, Gordon Beadel for his enthusiasm and willingness to provide education on this to orthopaedic nurses and others. Orthopaedics is a very busy area, we work hard and well.

The multidisciplinary team is very active in our area.

What do you love about it?

What‟s not to love, great people, and a vast clientele with different injuries, ages, backgrounds and personalities, never boring…. just the way I like it! I am a passionate believer in promoting “Fish Philosophy” wherever I may go! My belief in this is it all comes back to the patient on every level.

What are the challenging bits?

Sometimes the hardships some patients and staff have had to face, especially after the earthquakes have been sad but I understand we have a new hospital to look forward to within the rebuild of Christchurch.

Who do you most admire in a professional capacity at work and why?

I admire many people and cannot narrow it down to one. I admire Mark Crawford, Nursing Director for Medicine. Mark is the chairperson for the Falls Prevention committee; he does a wonderful job in facilitating this large, busy, mixed individuals group. Mark is very approachable; he is encouraging and supportive of new ideas, and is open to all ideas and ways of looking at things. With my type of personality I appreciate this.

I admire Ngaere Dawson for her enthusiasm and her valued input into the wider CDHB. It is always a pleasure when someone promotes the positive in people.

I admire Pauline Clark. When I participated in Xceler8 I thoroughly enjoyed it and grew from this experience. I have always felt supported and appreciated as a health care professional working for CDHB and Pauline gives positive feedback and is visible, which for me is important.

The last book I read was…

A children‟s book to my son. I have recently started a book called “The definite book on body language” by Barbara and Allan Pearce. I read a lot of articles and information to do with work. However the type of books I am interested in are Art History particularly the Impressionist period, my favourite Impressionist artist is Renoir.

If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be “There‟s no other place I would rather BEE” !

My ultimate Sunday would involve A sleep in followed by a long run and spending quality time with my sons fishing, swimming or kicking the soccer ball around.

One food I really dislike is I have been a vegetarian for 24 years. I do not eat meat.

My favourite music is…

I love Lady Gaga and enjoy current pop music. My choice of radio station is the Edge. I like reggae and jazz, and enjoy UB40. My favourite New Zealand music would be Shona Laing.

Kia Kaha!

Friday 22 November 2013

Staff wellbeing programme Gold medal shooter Healthcare Assistant, Rose Watson, has won a national title in shooting.

In a hard fought competition she has come away with the gold medal in the Ladies Production section of the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) national contest held in Whanganui recently.

Rose says receiving the award is “absolutely amazing” especially since she had been runner-up for the last three years.

MINDBALL - The goal of Mindball is to be more relaxed than your opponent. Being more relaxed will enable you to move a ball away from you and into your opponent‟s goal...Winning by Relaxing!

Both players wear a headband with electrodes wired up to a biosensor system. The more calm and relaxed we are the more Alpha waves our brains generate and the more chance we have of winning the game.

All sessions from 1130 – 1330hrs Tuesday 26 November, Hillmorton (Avon café).

Practical shooting is a sport which challenges a person‟s ability to shoot rapidly and accurately with a rifle, shotgun or pistol. To do this, shooters take on obstacle-laden shooting courses called stages, some requiring many shots to complete, and others just a few. While scoring systems vary between practical shooting organisations, each measures the speed with which the stage is completed, with penalties for inaccurate shooting.

Wednesday Walk ‘n Workout @ TPMH 12.30- 1.00pm Wednesdays for the 5 weeks running up to Xmas….Nov 20th – Dec 18th. Meet outside main door at 12.30 sharp. $5 each session Here‟s what walk „n workouters have to say about the sessions: “Didn't seem like a chore and was fun” “Got me moving and out into the fresh air” “Don’t have to be fit at all” To register email kris.tynan@xtra.co.nz

It‟s very fast and big adrenalin rush,” says Rose, who has been shooting for 10 years.

Zumba, Yoga, Pilates – multiple classes running at main hospital sites.

Rose plans to take a year off national competition shooting to support her husband Julian as he will be representing New Zealand at the World Pistol Shoot in Florida 2014.

CDHB Earthquake Support Coordination Service – we have two Earthquake Support Coordinators (ESC) dedicated to helping CDHB staff deal with issues related to EQC, insurance, accommodation etc. Contact an ESC directly on 371 5598 or see Something for You for more information.

Mindfulness sessions: running at CHCH Campus, Hillmorton, Burwood and TPMH. EAP Services: free confidential off-site counselling available for all staff.

Quitting smoking – we can give you support, advice and free nicotine replacement therapy

Rose Watson (centre) with her gold medal

For more information on the activities above check out the updated Something for You intranet page or contact Andy Hearn.

Have you had your copy of WellNow? The distributors of the spring edition of our community health magazine tell us they completed deliveries last week but we know there are people who may have been missed out.

We are paying for delivery to every mailbox and PO Box in the Canterbury DHB area and the distributors are genuinely interested in finding out if there are any areas not being covered well.

Please let us know if you have missed out this time around, and we can either arrange a special delivery and pass your address onto the distributor so you don‟t miss out again.

Contact Communications@cdhb.health.nz clearly stating your address (we deliver to street addresses, P O Boxes and rural delivery addresses) so we can follow it up. Click here to view the spring edition of WellNow online.

The communications team would be happy to receive any other feedback, or story ideas for future WellNows.

Friday 22 November 2013

MedChart – a big step on the road to smarter meds management „Informative‟ and‟ thought-provoking‟ is how participants described a recent workshop on the new MedChart electronic prescribing and administration system. The programme has been designed to replace paper medication charts and link prescribing, pharmacy review and drug administration.

Quality improvement change architect Kenneth Grant is heading the eMedicines Management project team to roll out the MedChart system. He says CDHB is in the fortunate position of being able to learn from other DHBs already running the software solution.

“It is an existing software solution but it is customisable in terms of the way we want to use its tools and the content that we put in. In conjunction with hardware, it can be tailored to suit a particular service to align with the service‟s model of care.”

As the first phase of the MedChart initiative a process mapping exercise has been completed in five departments; Intensive Care, Older Person‟s Health, Specialist Mental Health Paediatrics and Neonatal.

The eMeds team has reviewed every process in terms of how patients‟ therapies are prescribed, administered and then reviewed, and how these are recorded, as well noting the references that are used by clinical staff in that process.

“We‟ve looked at who does what, what bits of information they use, what bits of paper they use, and whether it‟s consistent, and if there are any standard forms,” says Kenneth. “We‟ve put all of this information into a process maps, made notes about the variations that currently exist. The next step is to start the conversation around how these processes are going to change once we bring in an electronic solution.”

He says it is about pinpointing the areas where efficiency gains can be made, value can be added and waste can be eliminated. There also needs to be a conscious decision to make the process safer for patients.

Now the process mapping is complete, Kenneth says the next stage is looking at the hardware requirements and what the DHB will need to actually deliver the software.

“Each of the five areas will test and role play which is the most efficient hardware for them and how the system will change their processes. There will need to be some standardisation because of the constraints of the operating systems but at the end of the day the system has to work for the people who are using it.”

CDHB Project Manager Alison Cain organised a device testing workshop in the high fidelity ward at the Design Lab so staff across the five different service areas could get hands on experience with the new MedChart software.

“There was lots of healthy debate and discussion across teams about the most suitable devices and what the requirements would be in their area,” says Alison. “It was really effective in getting people enthused and informed about the project.

“We wanted to show them the product in a simulated environment so they could understand how the system will benefit them.”

Charge Nurse Manager Karen Hurley says the workshop was a valuable opportunity to network with other units who are about to embark on the same journey to electronic recording.

“I also appreciated the opportunity to actually test the programme out on the computer. It made everything make a lot more sense and it was a great opportunity to see how easy and safe the process was.”

Karen says the workshop also highlighted the issue of touch screen versus keyboards, and the potential use of Computers-on-wheels, COWs. For Alison Cain it was exciting to see how well the real life simulations worked. “Only the people using it can inform the process, but the workshop showed there was a real appetite to get it right.”

Story continued overleaf

Friday 22 November 2013

… story continued Chief Medical Officer Nigel Millar says the Electronic Medicines Management project will contribute significantly to creating a safer environment for patients. “Experience tells us that by taking out the waste related to paper-based processes, we can vastly improve the quality of the service we provide to our patients. We have an ambitious goal when it comes to medicines because the longer we keep our archaic paper processes, the longer we continue to harm our patients and waste our clinicians‟ time.”

MedChart is expected to be up and running across all DHB sites by mid-2015 and Executive Director of Allied Health, Stella Ward says the system is a step towards achieving CDHB‟s vision of integration. “Not only will we be have integrated medicines across Canterbury, but this technology will also be integrated into our other technology solutions that will create a seamless digital environment. It is a significant investment from the DHB to ensure we deliver better outcomes for our patients.”

FAQs Who can I ask if I have any questions about MedChart?

There is an electronic medicines project team planning the roll-out of the system to the individual areas.

When a ward is approaching its scheduled roll-out date, you will see posters advertising the contacts for your area.

For general information about the project please contact: Project overview - Chris Abbott – Chris.abbott@cdhb.health.nz Devices – Alison Cain 0224177356 – Alison.Cain@cdhb.health.nz Clinical questions – John Quayle and Olivia Johnson – John.quayle@cdhb.health.nz and Olivia.johnson@cdhb.health.nz Look out for further updates on the electronic medicines project as the individual projects progress.

Youth Specialty Service marks milestone A celebration to mark a special anniversary for the Youth Specialty Service (YSS) was held this week.

By the end of 2013 the youth outpatient mental health service will have been running for 20 years.

Significant developments were made in child and adolescent services in Christchurch starting in 1993. New government funding was prioritised for these services and existing services were brought together under one umbrella to form the Child, Adolescent and Family Service (CAFMHS) under the management of Kaye Johnston, CAFMHS Service Manager.

One of the new components of the CAF Service, was the YSS, developed at Sylvan Street, on the Hillmorton Hospital campus. It opened its doors in May 1994 led by Dr Brian Craig as its Clinical Director together with Daryle Deering as Unit Manager.

YSS held the reunion for all colleagues who had worked in the service. The event also incorporated a farewell to Professor Doug Sellman who is leaving YSS next month to begin a "phased retirement".

Doug Sellman

Friday 22 November 2013

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CDHB opens new hospital unit for student nurses Burwood Health Campus has become the first in the country to offer enrolled nursing students hands-on experience in theatre patient care in a joint initiative between CPIT and Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) which started on 11 November.

Six enrolled nursing students from CPIT are gaining valuable experience in perioperative care, which refers to looking after patients before, during and after surgery, in a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU).

“It is wonderful to see the perioperative services at Burwood Hospital become our 24th DEU,” Mary Gordon, Canterbury District Health Board Executive Director of Nursing said. “It is also exciting to have this DEU focusing on the students studying the Diploma in Enrolled Nursing who may be looking to have a career within this setting when they are qualified.

“It is important that we attract nurses to work in speciality areas such as operating theatres and it is timely as the facilities development programme includes new additional operating theatres being built as part of our Christchurch Campus.”

The initiative has grown from the close working relationship between the two organisations.

“Our programme is designed to prepare nurses for the realities of clinical practice and our relationship with the CDHB ensures that both Enrolled and Bachelor of Nursing students have access to on-the-ground experiences in the workplace,” CPIT Head of Nursing Dr Cathy Andrew said.

“That is the best way for us to graduate skilled, confident nurses who know their way around workplaces and can deliver excellent care.”

The programme has national significance for addressing workforce shortages and could be replicated around the country, she said. The current preceptor model for enrolled nurses takes one to two new enrolled nurses where the new DEU will take six such students.

Enrolled Nurses at CPIT achieved the top national pass rate in New Zealand this year.

Bachelor of Nursing students at CPIT again achieved the top rate for Registered Nurses in the Nursing Council of New Zealand registration exams with a 100% pass rate.

Friday 22 November 2013

The Design Lab takes centre stage at A&P Show It was all happening at the Canterbury A&P Show recently, with thousands of people visiting the CDHB and Design Lab stand in the Future Christchurch/Greater Canterbury pavilion.

Everybody got into the spirit of the event and was keen to participate in the interactive exhibits. We took a threepronged approach to the message we wanted to share with the public. First we outlined the issues facing the DHB over the next 20-30 years – we have an ageing population and our future health system needs to reflect that. With our infrastructure so extensively damaged by the earthquakes, the redevelopment is a once in a lifetime opportunity to align our facilities, thinking and planning with the services people need. The Oldify app, which takes a photo of your face and then ages you by 30 years, attracted a lot of attention. Not surprisingly, only the young kids were happy to post photos to their Facebook page.

These issues were the driver for the second section – Keeping well in your own home. The Our Health System vision is an integrated health system that keeps people healthy and well in their own homes for as long as possible, by providing the right care and support, at the right time, in the right place and by the right person.

Our interactive for this section was the Mindball game, kindly on loan from Science Alive! It provided great entertainment as people tried to out-relax each other to win the game.

If you ever get a chance to play Mindball, go for it. The game is based on EEG (electroencephalography) feedback. Players wear headbands equipped with electrodes that are wired up to a biosensor system. The system measures the players‟ alpha and theta waves and the person who is the most relaxed and focused has the most control over the ball. The players‟ brain activity was graphed in a diagram and displayed on a monitor so the public could easily follow the players‟ mental processes during each match.

Once we were able to pry the stand‟s visitors away from Mindball, we were able to show them some of the work being done at the Design Lab on the new ward designs. We asked people what they would like to see in the new hospital facilities – the responses ranged from technology at the bedside and better continuity of information at handovers (yes, we had a lot of CDHB staff passing by!) to more colour, play stations and chocolate!

A big thank you to the staff, particularly the Design Lab and It‟s All Happening teams who fine tuned the messages and put our superb display stand together. Thanks too to the volunteers and the Science Alive team, who helped make a visit to our stand fun and informative.

Director of Service Improvement Brian Dolan, red vest at back centre and next to him, Executive Director of Allied Health Stella Ward worked a busy Friday shift at the A&P Show talking to visitors about the CDHB and its evolving models of care and the new hospital developments Friday 22 November 2013

Ever wondered how to help people manage pain more effectively?

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There are three specific suites of qualifications and one of them could be of particular relevance to you. Medical practitioners can enrol in the PG Certificate/Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine, and both allied health professionals and medical practitioners can enrol for the PG Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Health Sciences endorsed in either Musculoskeletal Management or Pain and Pain Management.

For further information, contact Veronica McGroggan, phone 3641-086, or email veronica.mcgroggan@otago.ac.nz Admissions for 2014 are being accepted now.

Key recruits for the Electronic Medicines Management project The Electronic Medicines Management project is delighted to announce its recent recruits to the clinical implementation support team.

Jeff Shornick, David Stoner, Matthew Strother and Chris Warren from the SMO contingent, along with Ann Bradley (nurse educator), Jessica Roberts and Jonathan Aitken (RMOs) will join incumbent pharmacists John Quayle and Olivia Johnson. Their task is to facilitate the clinical change process required to adopt a leaner, more efficient and safer medicines management practice for CDHB. The clinical team will provide support to clinical staff as they find new ways of using medication information in their work. The project team will also interface with existing clinical governance groups such as the Medicines Advisory Committee to empower such forums, as they too need to evolve with the changing environment.

Project sponsor and Executive Director Allied Health, Stella Ward says as health providers, we accept that medicines management is a risky business.

“The complexity of the hospital environment adds to that risk. But experience tells us that by taking out the waste caused by paper-based processes, we can vastly improve the quality of the service we provide to our patients. We have an ambitious goal when it comes to medicines because the longer we take to break away from our archaic paper processes, the longer we continue to harm our patients and waste the most precious resource in health care – people‟s time.”

Within the coming month, the project team will run an engagement session with senior clinical leaders to present the capabilities of the e-prescribing application, the content of clinical decision support tools that the application can deliver and the current limitations of the tool.

Clinicians need to be aware of those limitations in order to provide the safest possible care.

This engagement session will hopefully identify specific individuals who are the subject matter experts that can best inform the project on configurable items. It is vital for such individuals to actively participate and contribute to discussions now as the tool relies on local knowledge and expertise to add maximum value.

“We look forward to working with all clinical services to ensure EMM can add value to their work and to the care provided to our Canterbury patients at the appropriate time,” says Stella.

Friday 22 November 2013

Invitation to attend a series of lunchtime seminars: Thursday 28 November 2013 Building Communities with WikiHouse - Danny Squires & Martin Luff (Space Craft) WikiHouse is a bold, global project to assist communities in delivering affordable, healthy, and sustainable homes.

Friday 29 November 2013 Contribution of physical activity to recovery from mental illness - Arno Grueber Experiences and outcomes of participants of the activity based experience (ABE) Programme at Richmond Services Trust.

Thursday 5 December Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations and health in Canterbury - Nadia Bartholomew, Public Health Registrar Click on the links for more information.

Friday 22 November 2013

Friday 22 November 2013