Tuesday 28 October 2014: The Can-do innovative Canterbury spirit is alive and kicking Last week was a big week for innovations of the technical kind at the Design Lab, with the Health-e-Homes showcase welcoming more than 300 visitors from across the health sector and beyond. It was a fantastic opportunity to work together with Spark Digital and their vendor partners. A special thanks to Spark, both for hosting the launch, and for sharing their stunning displays and facilitating access to a dazzling array of cutting edge technology aimed at supporting people to stay well and independent, for longer in their own home. It was an eclectic mix of emerging technology, together with a number of our own health system initiatives that are up and running and already making a difference to people’s care. The media were invited to the showcase and TV One took a lively interest in the Vigil Guardian wristband, in particular, which was capable of so much more than existing medical alarms. I was told the basic equipment (which doesn’t include data costs) is More than 300 visitors from across the health sector and actually cheaper and better still, it will be beyond visited the Health-e-Homes showcase. available early next year. The team from Vigil explained that the wristband could notify care support or emergency services if there were any signs that all was not well with the wearer – not just in the event of a fall or other accident, but if for example their vital signs were outside of their norm. This in itself was clever, but what really struck me was this: With the consent of the wearer, family members could look at near-live information online that could give them reassurance that the wearer was active (moving around, opening curtains) and the box that ‘drives’ the wristband can enable a Skype connection with the family, without the need for any other hi-tech equipment. I was particularly proud to see so many of our own innovations under one roof – HealthInfo and HealthPathways, ERMS, eMeds and HealthOne (formerly known as eSCRV). And there were more we could have shown if we’d had more time. Seeing it all together, it was clear that we really have taken huge strides in connecting people with the best information available to facilitate faster, safer healthcare, while not wasting patient’s and clinician’s time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the demonstrators who showed their passion and commitment in sharing their knowledge. Our strategic partners Orion Health and Pegasus Health deserve a special mention for their flexibility and responsiveness in making key people available at short notice. As with much of our technical innovation work, it simply wouldn’t have happened without them.
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Continued…. Last Tuesday, Ann Livermore from Hewlett Packard’s Board of Directors jetted in to Christchurch to look at some of our technical innovations, taking in Health-e-Homes while she was here. I’m pleased to report that she liked what she saw. We now have a strategic alliance with Hewlett Packard and as a result we have technology straight from their innovation lab in Palo Alto in our Operations Centre at Christchurch Hospital helping us make patient flow and activity more visible to enable us to see what’s happening where at any time of the day. Importantly, it alerts us to any hot spots or hold ups in the system sooner, so we can direct our attention and resources to where they’re most needed.
Left: Ann Livermore (left) with Carolyn Gullery, GM Planning and Funding (seated), David Meates, CEO and Rob Ojala, Emergency Department Specialist.
Innovation and creativity collide in Medical Physics and Bioengineering In this update you’ll find a story about local artist and creator of ‘Tin Man’ Tony Cribb. Tony was in our care almost a year ago following the discovery of a brain tumour and subsequent stroke. Our Medical Physics & Bioengineering (MPBE) team was heavily involved in providing equipment and products essential for his treatment and recovery. Tony and his partner Pipa recently came into Christchurch Hospital to meet the people who made his titanium skull plate and see where it was made. You’ll find examples of Tony’s work on his website. It’s a great story of how our clinical and technical teams worked together to provide the best possible solution for a patient. There’s also information about how you can work with the MPBE Team on a clinical challenge you may know of. The MPBE $10,000 Health Innovation Challenge, offered in association with Via Innovations, is open to everyone in the Canterbury Health System who has an idea about improving patient care. The challenge is open in November and the winner/s will receive $10,000 worth of development time, materials and marketing to help make their idea a reality. ‘Runner-up’ projects may also be considered for development. The challenge will run during November. We have more information on our website. If you managed to have some down time over the long weekend, I hope you’re feeling refreshed as we start the countdown to Christmas. Have a great week David p.s. There are some outstanding ‘bouquets’ this week. It was interesting to read glowing compliments from patients from the UK and Ireland who really rate Canterbury care! Nice work team – the patient who said “lovely staff from top to bottom” sums it up really. Friday 1428 Tuesday March October 20142014
Tuesday’s Facilities Fast Facts Burwood More pictures from Burwood this week: further demolition and a panoramic view of the ward blocks, taken from the project office.
Christchurch From Tuesday 28 October, parking at the rear of Christchurch Hospital will be off-limits to staff and the public. The Oncology entrance will also be closed – oncology patients and staff will have to enter via the main front entrance. Access to the rear of Christchurch Women’s Hospital will be for ambulances, the St John shuttle and the neonatal ambulance only. Access to the rear of the Riverside building, via the Rolleston Avenue bridge, will be for deliveries and couriers only. The bridge will still be accessible for pedestrians, but traffic controls will be in place at the junction with Rolleston Avenue. Cyclists may be asked to dismount to cross the bridge. The bridge will be the main way out of the site for construction traffic. A reminder to staff who walk or bike across the Rolleston Avenue bridge or around the Oxford Terrace intersection to please take extra care while the works are going on. Traffic flows at the front of the hospital will be two-way, and new signage will be in place. Please also take care on the pedestrian crossings. There will be no parking on site except for mobility parking and emergency staff parking. The main front entrance will be a drop-off zone only. Drivers must not leave their car parked. The park & ride shuttle, which has already been running successfully for oncology patients from the Court Theatre car park, will be extended to run from the Metro Sports Facility/old brewery site on Antigua St. Extra staff will be on hand at the front of the hospital to guide patients and visitors. More information on all the changes is available on the staff intranet, or at cdhb.health.nz/parking STOP PRESS: Please note that there are SCIRT roadworks near the Court Theatre site at present. The works will last until 24 November. The Oncology park & ride service is accessible via 36 Clarence Street, off Lincoln Road, as shown in the attached photo. Friday 1428 Tuesday March October 20142014
Bouquets
Ward 15, Christchurch Hospital Lovely, polite caring nurses. Pre-admission, Christchurch Hospital All the staff I saw were informative and lovely.
Paediatric Outpatients and Nuclear Medicine, Christchurch Hospital All staff I encountered today were excellent – very professional, friendly, helpful and understanding, a great credit to CDHB. I just wish issues like staff and patient parking were better taken into account during the rebuild to help these wonderful folks to be able to focus time on their job, not getting to it. Christchurch Hospital I had a mastectomy and have been treated exceedingly well since the discovery of the lump. Today is 12 September and I discovered the lump on Wed before Easter in April. I am today having my last treatment of radiation and I feel so looked after and so well. Thank you for your wonderful service, preparation, treatment and care. It has been easy to go through the process. Thank you. Ward 26, Christchurch Hospital Staff wonderful, caring, couldn’t do enough for you, great bunch. Christchurch Women’s Hospital We are here again and as much as we don’t want to be we know it is necessary for our family member. I would like to compliment your lovely receptionist Liz who is always cheerful, helpful and goes the extra distance for us ‘worried’ family. A breath of fresh air and an obvious asset to your business – keep up the good work! Ward 11, Christchurch Hospital Thank you for the great care given. Especially nursing care and the surgeons. Also the friendliness of all staff. Emergency Department and Ward 11, Christchurch Hospital I have to admit this is the best service I have every received. Each of my nurses in all departments were brilliant and made my surgery so easy and comfortable even the surgeon himself. I have stayed in hospitals at home in Ireland. They are shocking compared to here. I am so happy and I thank you all so much. Ward 11, Christchurch Hospital I would like to express my thanks and gratitude for all the staff in Ward 11 and the team in Emergency especially Mr Stevenson and his team for their kind care. Ward 19, Christchurch Hospital I am a guardian for a lady with a disability. She has been in Ward 19 for seven weeks after hip surgery. Five of these weeks were in a cumbersome cast. The staff on Ward 19 have been amazing. I have spent a minimum of three hours per day with…. and have a family friend sitting with her as well. Neither of us have any complaints re the level of care she has received. Well done Ward 19, you should be proud, you are amazing. AMAU, Christchurch Hospital The staff were very good. This includes the doctors, nurses, nurse aides and support services such as tea and meal services. Nothing was ever a problem. They were very understanding and helpful. I never felt any pressure at any time. The staff were bright and cherry and it was a pleasant stay. Thanks to everybody including other areas such as speech and swallowing and respiratory (CPAP). Emergency Department, Christchurch Hospital I am a visitor from the UK and received excellent care and treatment throughout my visit. Reception, nurses, doctors. Very grateful for the attention. Continues on the following page... Tuesday 28 October 2014
Continued….
Emergency Department, Christchurch Hospital I would like to thank the Emergency Department, ‘T’ the security guard, Andrea Cross, registrar, nurses and receptionists for treating me with so much respect, privacy and dignity. Ward 24, Christchurch Hospital Superb doctors, nurses, aides, cleaners etc. Big tick. Lovely staff from top to bottom – everyone is so helpful, friendly and supportive. Ward 28, Christchurch Hospital A big thank you to all the staff of Ward 28 for the amazing care I received last week. I was one of the gastro patients. I must thank especially Michelle (I think that was her name) who prepared me and delivered me to theatre and the two people who looked after me on the evening shifts. I encountered nothing but friendly respect and professionalism from CDHB staff. Thank you all. Kelly Anderson, Physiotherapist, Adult Community Therapy Service I was very fortunate to have Kelly as my physio. She was personable with excellent communication skills, sincere and showed that she cared. Kelly did what she said she was going to do and followed up at every stage. She was generous with the information that she provided, both verbally and taking the time to make up personalised exercise programmes. Kelly went the extra mile in providing therapy and helping with my exercise programme, emailed information etc. She helped to motivate me to achieve my goals. Kelly is a true asset to the team and if all the therapists in ACTS are like her then it must be an excellent team.
Canterbury Medical Grand Round Friday 31 October 2014, 12.15-1.15pm (lunch from 11.50am) First Speaker- Professor Neena Modi Title – ‘Preterm birth outcomes - for the non-neonatologist’ Professor Neena Modi is Professor of Neonatal Medicine at Imperial College, London and heads the Neonatal research unit at Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation. She is in New Zealand as the 2014 Eric Burnard visiting fellow. She has an international reputation for neonatal research and has published widely on outcomes following preterm birth. Second Speaker – Dr Robert Carr Title – ‘Creating an Adolescent and Young Adult Unit’ Robert Carr established a specialist service for young adults with cancer at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in 2009. The Young Adult multi-disciplinary team has now grown to seven staff, with a specialist selfcontained Young Adult Cancer Unit opening in a year's time. “The benefit that this specialist support has achieved for our young cancer patients as they go through treatment and its aftermath has far exceeded our expectations.” Chair: Dr Rick Acland Convenor: Ruth.Spearing@cdhb.health.nz DVD Recordings available within two weeks on majority of sessions. 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 Tuesday 28 October 2014
Nursing farewells Clare Keast On Tuesday 14 October, after a 45 year career with CDHB, Nurse Co-ordinator, Quality, Clare Keast, lost her courageous and determined battle with cancer. Originally from Leeston, Clare began training at The Princess Margaret Hospital on 1 April, 1969, graduating three years later as a Registered General and Obstetric Nurse. Originally placed in a respiratory nursing unit Clare’s passion for cardiology was satisfied by an appointment to the role of Charge Nurse Manager in Ward B4- Cardiology and Coronary Care. She held this role for more than 30 years and her passion for improved patient care remained undiminished by time. Clare led the cardiology nursing team through rapid advances in cardiology and the cardiology rehabilitation programme owes much to her early work in the field, as do many current protocols and procedures.
Clare Keast
Able to read an electrocardiogram instantly and respond rapidly to any change in patient condition, Clare’s encyclopaedic knowledge of cardiology nursing was legendary, as was her compassion for patients and staff. On a six week visit to Sydney in 1986 the highlight of the trip for Clare was meeting New Zealand patients undergoing cardiac transplant surgery. She returned full of ideas for practical ways of improving that particular patient journey. She applied some of these to the more regular transfers to Dunedin for cardiac surgery while also campaigning, alongside the cardiologists, for the establishment of a Christchurch Hospital Cardiac Surgery Unit. Clare transferred to the Quality Co-ordination role in the Department of Nursing in 2005. Her communication skills, compassion and determination to resolve issues were highly valued. An extensive institutional knowledge was supplemented by the piles of information she kept at close hand on her overflowing desk for instant retrieval. Clare was particularly interested in medication safety and served on a number of committees relating to improved safety around medication use. She always had time for others, dispensing a kind word and sound practical advice whenever it was needed. At her farewell her advice to us all was that we look after each other, maintain a focus on our patients and keep having fun. Canterbury District Health Board thanks Clare for a lifetime of service. She will be missed by all who benefited from her quiet wisdom and gentle smile.
Site Redevelopment Unit Newsletter 28 October 2014 The Site Redevelopment Unit is responsible for the major building construction and redevelopment work across CDHB including all earthquake repairs. Their work also includes relocating staff and services from buildings due to earthquake damage. This newsletter is an overview of what is happening around our various sites and if you would like more information please contact us on 364 1803 or directly with the relevant Project Manager. Site Redevelopment Unit Newsletter—28 October 2014
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Diabetes research and clinical care to benefit from graduate study Christchurch Diabetes Centre Clinical Trial Co-ordinator, Helen Heenan, is the first person in the country to graduate as a Certified Diabetes Technology Clinician. Helen, a diabetes research nurse, attended a Clinical Diabetes Technology Meeting in Los Angeles, funded by a grant from Diabetes Christchurch. The conference, which attracts consultants, nurses and technicians from the USA and around the world, aims to look at the science and the clinical applications of using current diabetes technology. It concludes with a rigorous exam that requires a mark of 80 per cent or more to pass and graduate as a credited Certified Diabetes Technology Clinician. Helen says she is using what she has learned to help with research and clinical care and also help a little with Via Innovations projects. Via Innovations is a CDHB initiative designed to enhance healthcare innovation. “Attending this conference has enabled me to offer more support to the Diabetes Centre around its technology requirements, including support in the areas of research and innovation.” Manager of Diabetes Christchurch, Lynne Taylor, said the society was delighted to sponsor Helen and to hear she has graduated. “To have a local person with the latest diabetes research knowledge is a real bonus as it keeps our members updated on the new technological developments, new medications and studies that are happening worldwide.“ Helen says technology examined on the conference included blood glucose meters, continuous glucose monitoring systems and insulin pumps of various brands and specifications. “We also looked at the psychological aspects of living with diabetes technology and how technology might improve our patients’ quality of life.” The conference cut across a broad range of products and brands. “It also exposed us to some of the leading edge thinkers from the U.S. Their presentations included their thoughts on the use of smart phones by patients to download their data to their caregivers.” Another topic discussed was ‘closed loop’ systems which continuously measure glucose from samples under the skin and then link this information to insulin pumps. This allows insulin to be delivered in just the right amount, to people with type 1 diabetes. Helen Heenan, left, and Lynne Taylor.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
MPBE Workshop welcomes local artist There was a new type of buzz in the Medical Physics & Bioengineering (MPBE) workshops a couple of weeks ago. Local artist and creator of the Tin Man character Tony Cribb, and his partner Pipa visited to see where the new titanium plate in Tony’s skull was made. It was almost a year ago that Tony collapsed at a touch rugby game then had a seizure. The diagnosis was a benign brain tumour.
Local artist and creator of the Tin Man character Tony Cribb.
The neurosurgeon treating Tony worked with our MPBE team to prepare a titanium plate to replace bone in his skull following an operation to remove the tumour. The team was involved with Tony’s recovery on many levels. Imaging Scientist Nick Cook used CT and MRI scans of Tony’s head to determine the size and shape of the plate required. A full size model of Tony’s skull was created on the computer controlled mill, but in the future MPBE hope to have the facility to produce a 3D model of a whole skull using a 3D printer. Then Mechanical Technician Paul Tolson manufactured the custom mould from the data Nick provided, and used it to press sheet titanium into the exact shape required. The neurosurgeon popped down to the workshop to check the size and fit were correct based on the 3D model. Surgery took place on 22 November and the custom made plate fitted. Surgical instruments maintained by the team were used during the surgery. Unfortunately Tony had a brain bleed and started having uncontrollable seizures while in recovery. He was placed in an induced coma and while in ICU was connected to an Alaris Infuse-Rite System (AIRS) machine also developed by the MPBE team. AIRS is a unique system designed to automatically control sedation. It was developed by the team in close collaboration with the Intensive Care Unit. One of its key features is a touch screen user interface which reports key statistics throughout the sedation process. It also provides control of two infusion pumps, one for sedation and one for analgesia, instead of a premixed drug cocktail in a single syringe. The main MPBE Software Developer behind this device, Alex Lowings, explained to Tony how this device automatically minimised the amounts of drugs in his system while keeping him comfortable. Tony had had a stroke which affected the right side of his body and his ability to speak. After two weeks at Christchurch Hospital he was transferred to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service at Burwood Hospital. A member of the MPBE team, Lawrence Quek regularly helps staff and patients at Burwood with Assistive Technology devices. Continues on the following page...
Above: From left: Alex Lowings, Chris Morison, Nick Cook, Tony Cribb, Pipa Henderson and Paul Tolson.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Continued…. Tony is well on the mend now and was delighted to be invited in to meet the MPBE team and see where his titanium plate was made. He was able to speak directly with the scientists, physicists, technicians, electronic technicians and software developers who all played a ‘behind the scenes’ part in his treatment. He says he was ‘blown away’ when he entered the workshops on the lower ground floor of Christchurch Hospital. “It was amazing to step from a hospital environment where everything is sterile and white into a real workshop with drills and large machinery. I am so very grateful for all the care I received and to meet the people who crafted the plate that’s in my head is really special,” says Tony.
Tony examines a titanium plate with MPBE Team Leader Chris Morison.
MPBE Team Leader Chris Morison believes that Tony received a better service from Canterbury DHB than he could have received anywhere else.
“A combination of the skilled work by our clinical team and the technical expertise and equipment available within MPBE meant we could offer Tony everything he needed. Because the plate is made in-house he was able to have just one operation. If we had sourced plate from overseas he may have required two surgeries, one to remove the tumour and then another to fit the plate once it arrived,” says Chris. Tony is still dealing with jokes about the use of metal in his recovery. A newspaper headline reported that the Tin Man has turned titanium and friends have created tin man models complete with metal skull plate. Tony takes it all in his stride as he continues to recover.
Above: Alex Lowings explains how the AIRS machine works. Friday 1428 Tuesday March October 20142014
Be part of the MPBE $10,000 Health Innovation Challenge If you have a clinical challenge and think you may know of a solution but lack the technical expertise or funding to make it a reality, then we can help. The MPBE $10,000 Health Innovation Challenge, offered in association with Via Innovations, is open to everyone in the Canterbury Health System who has an idea about improving patient care. The winner/s will receive $10,000 worth of development time, materials and marketing to help make their idea a reality. ‘Runner-up’ projects may also be considered for development.
Workshop Open Days The Medical Physics and Bioengineering Department is opening its workshops for visits by any CDHB staff. The MPBE team has been quietly building all sorts of innovative medical equipment and electronic devices for decades. Now is your chance to come and see where the magic happens, right in our own hospital! Their highly skilled technicians and engineers will be showing off their Mechanical, Electrical and Surgical Instrument Workshops as well as their 3D printer, and will show you how they make titanium implants, patient monitors, custom surgical tools, and all sorts of other medical devices.
Dates: Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 12 November Tours at 9am, 11am and 1pm Follow signs for "Medical Physics & Bioengineering Workshops" on the Lower Ground Floor of the Riverside Building. Contact Chris Morison on 80651/364 0651 or chris.morison@cdhb.health.nz for more details or to arrange alternative times.
This will give you a chance to see how they could help you solve your clinical problems with some custom made kit, and give you inspiration for your entry to their MPBE $10,000 Health Innovation Challenge which is running during November. You can contact them on ext. 80852; (03) 364 0852 or by email at mpbe@cdhb.health.nz. More details here: http://cdhb.health.nz/mpbe
Community-Led Recovery Grant applications now open New Zealand Red Cross, in partnership with Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Community Trust, has announced that the Community-Led Recovery Grant is now open for applications until Sunday 30 November. This grant is designed to help support neighbourhood and community groups working directly with earthquake-affected communities on recovery activities or programmes. The funding is for any recovery programme or project over the 2015-2016 calendar years and is for amounts up to $50,000 per annum (please note, for non-legal entities this is limited to $2,000 per annum). Please find the information online with the eligibility criteria and application form on the New Zealand Red Cross website: https://www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/helping-in-canterbury/community-led-recoverygrants/
Tuesday 28 October 2014
It was World Occupational Therapy Day yesterday, the kick off for Occupational Therapy Week. It is also a good time to think about and appreciate the role that occupational therapy plays in the life of our patients and our health professionals. What do occupational therapists do? (courtesy of Occupational Therapy New Zealand- Whakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa adapted from the World Federation of Occupational Therapists definition of occupational therapy (WFOT), 2012).
promote health and well-being through occupation enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life work with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to, or are expected to do modify the occupation or the environment to better support occupational engagement.
How many practising occupational therapists are there in the world? The total number of occupational therapists practising in 73 WFOT member countries surveyed is 417,235. In New Zealand we have 2,296 registered occupational therapists. Check out the next Generations Newsletter, the Princess Margaret Hospital reception area on Tuesday, or this map for the information about registered practitioners around the world. Who do occupational therapists work with? Check out this great you tube clip, created by occupational therapy students from the Dominican University of California. Te Reo translation (courtesy of Occupational Therapy New ZealandWhakaora Ngangahau Aotearoa) Occupational therapy is translated as whakaora ngangahau. ‘Whakaora’ means ‘to restore to health’ and ‘ngangahau’ is an adjective meaning ‘active, spirited, zealous’. Occupational therapist is translated as kaiwhakaora ngangahau. If wanting to use the plural occupational therapists, then the term is preceded with ngā as in ‘ngā kaiwhakaora ngangahau’.
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Let’s Get South Island Providers behind the Medication Safety Campaign 16 October 2014 With the launch of the latest “Open for Better care” Campaign, health providers and practitioners are being asked to turn their focus to the important issue of Medication Safety. Elizabeth Wood, Nelson based GP and a member of the South Island Alliance’s Quality and Safety Group tells us why she believes the South Island health sector needs to get behind this latest initiative. “Through my work as a GP I see issues with medication mishaps over and over again and especially when people with complex medical problems are having care from several providers or move from being in hospital to being at home. Also older people, especially those with frailty or multiple co-morbid conditions, are more susceptible to medicine-related errors and the frequency of adverse drug events increases with the number of medicines prescribed to an individual patient. For example the risk of an adverse drug event has been estimated at 58% if you are taking five medications and 82% if you are taking seven or more.” Read the full media release.
Consumer Council Update As part of continuing expansion and increased consumer participation across the Canterbury Health System, Consumer Council members have recently been involved with the following:
The Consumer Council Deputy Chair joined the CDHB contingent attending the Asia Pacific Health Conference in Melbourne A member of the Council was selected to attend the Consumer Facilitator Training programme organised by Health, Quality and Safety in Wellington (only two people were selected from the South Island) Several members of the Council took part in the Asian Health Day held recently and three others were actively involved in Older Persons’ Health Day Provided feedback on the review of the Christchurch Hospital main reception area in preparation for the closure of Riverside and Oncology entrance/exits The Chair and two other members took part in the CCN Strategic Planning Workshop Consumer Council have presented to two cohorts of Xceler8 in the past period Consumer Council members have been invited to undertake Collabor8 training. Two have taken up the offer for the next workshop A Consumer Council member is part of the Patient Portal Pilot which is currently underway. Engaged with CDHB Health, Quality and Safety looking at falls visual aids which is part of the Falls Prevention Programme and is currently being trialled in a Christchurch Hospital ward – The Falls visual aids project ensures staff and visitors know at a glance what vulnerable patients require to assist them with mobility. The Chair was invited to meet the new Minister of Health Jonathon Coleman and the Consumer Council has a representative on the newly formed Infection Prevention and control board.
For any queries relating to the Consumer Council or to request their participation please email consumercouncil@cdhb.health.nz or phone Wayne Turp (03) 364 4130.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
One minute with… Maxene Kiesanowski, Family History Assessor, Familial Gastrointestinal (G.I) Cancer Service What does your job involve? We are a national service funded by the Ministry of Health. We offer assessment of bowel cancer risk for people with a family history of gastro-intestinal cancer, offer colonoscopy surveillance recommendations, co-ordinate surveillance for high risk families and facilitate the diagnosis of hereditary cancer by confirming the family history. Why did you choose to work in this field? I have worked in surgical nursing for many years and have a particular interest in bowel surgery. I also have a background in endoscopy nursing. Being a part of a team who have a role in preventing bowel cancer is very rewarding. What do you like about it? The detective work that is required to confirm bowel cancers in a family and the satisfaction of finding a gene mutation in a family, supporting a hereditary cause for their cancers. We can then offer these highrisk families’ regular colonoscopy surveillance and potentially prevent further cancers within the family. After many years of shift work, working Monday to Friday with no shift work is an added bonus of the job. What are the challenging bits? Having to confirm bowel cancers in family members living overseas as the information is not readily accessible. Knowing that some people with a low risk of developing bowel cancer may not receive colonoscopy surveillance in the public system due to a lack of resources. It would be great if everyone who wants one could have a colonoscopy but unfortunately that is just not realistic. Who do you most admire in a professional capacity at work and why? There is not just one person I admire professionally, all team members of the Familial G.I Cancer Service in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland are friendly, work well together and support each other. The last book I read was… ‘The Spark – a mother’s story of nurturing a genius’ by Kristine Barnett. If I could be anywhere in the world right now it would be… Lying on a beach somewhere warm. My ultimate Sunday would involve… A sleep in, brunch, sunshine and spending time with family. One food I really dislike is… I really don’t like stale sandwiches. My favourite music is… I enjoy a varied mix of music including Queen, One Republic, U2 and Sarah McLaughlin Right: Maxene Kiesanowski
If you would like to take part in this column or would like to nominate someone please contact Naomi.Gilling@cdhb.health.nz.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Staff Wellbeing Programme: Wellbeing Workshops limited places remain Wellbeing Workshops – all staff A limited number of wellbeing workshops are available to all staff during October/November. Click here to register. For more information click here or visit the Staff Wellbeing Programme intranet page. Workshop times/locations are as follows: CHCH Campus – Tuesday 28 October: 1330-1600 Hillmorton – Wednesday 29 October: 1330-1600 Burwood – Thursday 6 November: 1330-1600 CHCH Campus – Tuesday 11 November: 1330-1600 (new date-note previously advertised) Ashburton – Tuesday 18 November: 1330-1600 CHCH Campus – Tuesday 25 November: 0930-1200 Staff Wellbeing Programme intranet page – Pilates, Zumba, Yoga, Mindfulness…check out this page for information on yoga, Zumba, Pilates, mindfulness, walking groups, Earthquake Support Coordinators, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP - free counselling for staff), and more…see the Staff Wellbeing Programme intranet page for more information Free Counselling available for all staff – EAP Services For more information click here or visit the Staff Wellbeing Programme intranet page Andy Hearn Staff Wellbeing Coordinator Canterbury and West Coast DHB Phone: 03 337 7394 | Ext: 66394 | Mobile: 027 218 4924 andy.hearn@cdhb.health.nz
Tuesday 28 October 2014
Programme Director Construction and Property Opportunities to lead a major capital works programme of this magnitude don’t come along very often in Christchurch. We have one, so act fast.
LATEST OPPORTUNITIES Canterbury District Health Board Charge Nurse Manager Physiotherapist Health & Safety Administrator
See all vacancies at: https:/cdhb.careercentre.net.nz West Coast District Health Board B4 School Coordinator See all vacancies at: https:// westcoastdhb.careercentre.net.nz/
We are seeking someone with a strong construction or engineering background to lead a team to deliver on the biggest hospital rebuild ever undertaken in New Zealand. Due to the size and significance of the project, we are wanting to discuss this opportunity with experienced Managers who are able to reference a portfolio of quality projects. Responsible for all phases of the project from design, planning, implementation, delivery and handover, your communication skills with stakeholders, staff and contractors be exceptional. We require this person to have all of the clichés – experience in project management, effective people manager, strong communicator etc. But we are also wanting someone who is passionate about the Canterbury rebuild, someone who wants to leave a legacy, can diffuse conflict and think on their feet. For enquiries please contact Mel Ross on (03) 378 6674 or email melanie.ross@cdhb.health.nz
Postgraduate study in public health at Otago If you are considering boosting your career or degree in a way that will really make a difference in the health of our population, the University of Otago invites you to look at their new programmes. From 2015 they offer you: a choice of 21 new papers the ability to tailor to your area of interest flexibility to fit around other commitments face to face support from world-class academics More information.
Tuesday 28 October 2014
In brief… Women 16 years + over from refugee and Migrants backgrounds are warmly invited to:
Ladies Health Day! Friday 7 November, 2014 at 64 McFaddens Road, St Albans 9.30am - 2.30pm Come along to hear about women’s health topics and to participate in fun activities for women 16 years and over. Crèche for under 5 year olds Vegetarian lunch & interpreters provided. You must register for this event by Friday 31 October. More information.
Canterbury Health Laboratories Night Lecture Series Topic: Cancer in the 21st Century: Myth and Reality Speaker: Dr Jeff Upton Venue: University of Canterbury, Central Lectures Room C2. Entrance off Arts Road, off Clyde Road. Entry is by way of a gold coin donation. Date / time: Tuesday 28 October, 7pm – 8.30pm More information
Read the latest SCIRT news here
Tuesday 28 October 2014