Monday 20 October 2014: Media hit by Ebola fever It feels like every time you listen to the news, pick up a paper or go online Ebola is dominating the headlines. While the risk of us getting a case here in NZ is extremely low, the possibility of a suspected case is more likely. Australia has had 11 suspected cases to date (with none testing positive for Ebola) so we are certainly preparing for the possibility of a suspected case arriving on our shores. Due to our international arrivals, a case is more likely to turn up in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch. Many of you are already involved in preparations and I thank you for your work on this. Our previous experience with pandemic influenza means we have tested systems and are well versed in managing infectious diseases. I would like to reiterate some facts about Ebola. 1. You can’t get Ebola through: Casual contact with someone who has no symptoms of the disease. Air, water or food. 2. The only way a person can get Ebola is through direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone who is already showing symptoms of the disease. 3. If a person does not have symptoms, they are not contagious. The Ministry of Health has the most up to date and relevant information on Ebola on their website, including guidelines for health professionals. This will be updated regularly. In Canterbury, our health system is ready if a case were to appear today. A suspected Ebola patient would be treated in isolation at Christchurch Hospital. Our preparations and training are ongoing to ensure staff are familiar with the equipment and procedures in the unlikely event of a suspected case. We issued a detailed media release about our preparations last week.
The countdown is on till Tuesday 28 October 2014 – No Parking day Next Tuesday, 28 October – the day after Labour day, is when on-site parking at Christchurch Hospital will cease to exist and our new Drop Off Zone (outside the main entrance) and Park & Ride service will start. Please familiarise yourself with the new arrangements and help us communicate them to our patients, their families and friends who visit the hospital. Wherever possible we are trying to limit unnecessary traffic coming on to the site, as it will be a construction zone from 28 October. If you currently drive to work, you may like to check out the idea of carpooling or catching a bus – further links and details are available here. If you are on the receiving end of questions or concerns from members of the public please let them know that there is a lot of information on the CDHB website and direct them to www.cdhb.health.nz/ parking or they can email specific questions to itsallhappening@cdhb.health.nz and we will get back to individuals.