Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 9 October 2023

In this issue

Kupu Arataki – Introduction... pg 3-7

QUIZ - World War II Movies... pg 8

Ā mātou tāngata – Our people

› Surprise celebration to mark three decades of dedicated service ... pg 9

› Tūtaki mai ki te kapa – Meet the NEQIP team ... pg 12

› One minute with ... Nicola Rooney, Clinical Manager Physiotherapy, Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation… pg 13

› Akoranga reo Māori 35 – Lesson #35 He moni - Money... pg 15

Whakamihi – Bouquets... pg 16–17

Ā mātou korero – Our stories

› Celebrating 50 years of Hyperbaric Medicine in Christchurch... pg 18

› Introducing the Health Technology Centre... pg 20

› Spotlight on malnutrition... pg 22

› Celebrating Global Handwashing Day... 23

Pānui – Notices... pg 24–26

Cover photo: From left, Care Capacity Demand Management Programme Nurse Coordinator Victoria Cullens and former nursing colleague Yvonne Smith wearing cardboard replica nursing caps and retro nursing capes

Kupu Arataki – Introduction

Voting underway in 2023 General Election

The voting period for the General Election opened last Monday and closes this Saturday, 14 October at 7pm.

General voting is available on the Christchurch (Great Escape Café) and Burwood (lobby) campuses. This is available to patients, staff, and visitors.

Voting on the Hillmorton campus is limited to just a couple of days and is for consumers who are unable to attend a community voting place.

People who are blind, partially blind or have a physical disability that means they can’t mark the ballot paper, can vote using the telephone dictation service.

› Call 0800 028 028 and select option 2 (you must register to use this service even if you have voted this way before)

› Telephone dictation voting is available from now – Monday to Saturday from 9am to 7pm until Saturday 14 October.

To find your nearest community voting place, go to the General Election website: https://vote.nz/2023general-election/how-to-vote/find-a-votingplace/

Don’t leave your vote to the last minute!

Macawa ni Vosa Vakaviti – Fijian Language Week (8 – 14 October)

It’s Fijian Language Week and the theme for 2023 is ‘Me vakabulabulataki, vakamareqeti, ka vakaqaqacotaki na vosa vakaviti’, which means, ‘Nurture, preserve and sustain the Fijian language’.

Around 21,000 people from Fiji live in New Zealand and nurturing and preserving their native language helps sustain their culture and a connection to their homeland.

For those keen to learn a little more, there are some resources available including a Fijian Language Week Phrases Poster, Fijian Language Week Language Card, and a Fijian Language Week Video

Walking frames needed urgently

Due to a widespread shortage, we need walking frames on loan from our hospitals returned as soon as possible if they are no longer required. Patients discharged from Christchurch or Burwood Hospital with a walking frame they no longer need, are asked to return them, or contact us so we can arrange pick up.

The walking frames can be dropped off at reception in the Burwood Hospital lobby or the main entrance of Christchurch Hospital. People who are unable to physically return the walking frame, should call 03 364 0190 or email: mobilityservices@cdhb.health.nz and we will arrange pick up.

Baby Loss Awareness Week 9-15 October

To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, there will be a remembrance service open to all staff who wish to attend. The service is in memory of babies who were gone too soon, and in support of their whānau and the staff who cared for them.

It will be held in the Nurses Chapel located outside Christchurch Women's Hospital, on Wednesday 11 October at 10am.

For more about this week and other remembrance events, go to the Sands New Zealand Facebook page

Legionella and potting mix

At this time of year many of us are spending our free time in the garden, cleaning up after winter and planting for summer. This is also the time of year when people are at most risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease from potting mix and compost.

Bagged potting mix and compost can contain Legionella bacteria which, when breathed in, can cause Legionnaires’ disease. Legionnaires' is a type of pneumonia, which can be severe and in some cases, life-threatening.

To keep yourself safe:

› Always open and work with bags of compost and potting mix outside

› Open the bags with scissors and keep pointed away from your face

› Wet the mix to reduce dust

› Wear a well-fitted N95 or respirator mask

› Wear gloves (but still wash your hands thoroughly after handling any compost or potting mix).

More information is available here.

October is Biketober - Christchurch's community festival of cycling

This month, there are several events happening to get people out and about on their bikes.

Events are run by community groups across the city and brought together by a group of keen volunteers from Spokes Canterbury. Most events are free.

Explore the city by bike at your own pace with the Big Biketober Passport (https://biketoberchch.nz/ mypassport/). It's simple and free to use. Just bike to a passport destination then find and enter the four-digit code.

Collect five codes and you're in the prize draw. The grand prize is a trip for two to the West Coast Wilderness Trail with Cycle Journeys (including optional ebike hire).

For those who regularly cycle, options include a sunrise ride up the Port Hills, Biketober’s annual OneDay Challenge, and an Ashley Forest Junior Open Day.

For less confident riders, there are free adult bike skills sessions funded by Christchurch City Council, and Bike Bridge provides lessons to former refugee and migrant women.

For those who need bikes or repairs, RAD and Aranui Bike Fix Up events, and basic bike maintenance classes are also listed in the Biketober programme. There are plenty of social rides - weekdays, weekends and after work. See biketoberchch.nz for details.

Measles alert extended

Further to the information provided last week, New Zealanders are being asked to monitor for measles symptoms after an individual with measles flew from Wellington to Auckland on Jetstar flight JQ258 on Tuesday 3 October. The individual had attended several locations in the capital in the days prior.

The individual, who lives in Northland, was in contact with students who attended a week-long Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand, National Shakespeare Schools Production event at Scots College. These students then travelled to other parts of the country.

Contact tracing and the public health response is underway following exposure in Whangārei, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and Wellington. Some students from Te Waipounamou the South Island may also have been exposed.

The full list of exposure events is available on the Te Whatu Ora website.

Initial symptoms to look out for include fever, cough, runny nose, and sore and watery pink eyes.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal human emotion, and it’s common in young people, but when anxiety takes over, it can get in the way of everyday life.

Healthinfo is currently promoting information and advice for helping teens and young people deal with anxiety.

These will be followed by a blotchy rash. If you think you have been exposed or have any of the symptoms listed, please call your general practice team or Healthline (0800 611 116).

The best protection from measles is immunisation. People are considered immune if they have received two doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine or, have had a measles illness previously. Most people who lived in New Zealand before 1969 are also considered immune because measles was very common at that time.

Anyone who has not been vaccinated against measles or is unsure if they’ve had measles previously is recommended to be immunised with the MMR vaccine.

Two MMR vaccines are free for anyone 18 years or under, and for New Zealand residents aged over 18 years. If you or anyone in your whānau has not had an MMR vaccine or aren't sure, ask your general practice, parent, or caregiver.

Go to https://www.healthinfo. org.nz/ and scroll to 'Teen and young adult health'. There are also several videos available on the ‘Listening to families’ website featuring mental health experts: https://listeningtofamilies.co.nz/ watch-videos/anxiety

This month is ‘Doctober’

During ‘Doctober’, we promote the Policy Library which is the single source of truth for all Te Whatu Ora Waitaha | Canterbury policy documents. These include procedure, guidelines, protocols, and patient/staff information documents and ensure staff have up-to-date information at their fingertips. It has been four years since we upgraded the PRISM policy library and implemented a dedicated workspace and automated workflows for review and approvals.

The Policy Management Guideline is a useful resource for staff and outlines the steps and responsibilities for development, implementation and review of all policies and supporting documents.

If you have any questions, please contact your quality team or for technical support go to the Policy Library Team and for more details click here.

QUIZ - World War II Movies

Few historical events have inspired more movies than WWII. Six years of death and despair that changed the world has been presented in all manner of films; documentaries, musicals, dramas and even comedies. Are you a fan of World War II movies? Test your knowledge.

1. Empire of the Sun, directed by Steven Spielberg, starred a young Christian Bale as a boy who was held as a prisoner of war in what country?

a. Papua New Guinea

b. Singapore

c. China

d. Malaysia

2. The 1955 film The Dam Busters tells the true story of what kind of bomb?

a. Bouncing bomb

b. Nuclear bomb

c. Earthquake/seismic bomb

d. Incendiary bomb

3. Who played Private Ryan in the 1998 movie Saving Private Ryan?

a. Tom Hanks

b. Edward Burns

c. Vin Diesel

d. Matt Damon

4. What type of vehicle does Captain Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen) steal during his escape attempt in the 1963 film The Great Escape?

a. Tank

b. Motorcycle

c. Jeep

d. Bicycle

5. The TV comedy show Seinfeld once had a storyline dedicated to a World War II movie that the character Elaine hated, but which everyone else around her loved. What film did Elaine despise?

a. The Bridge Over the River Kwai

b. The English Patient

c. Das Boot

d. Pearl Harbour

6. Life is Beautiful (1997) is a poignant comedy/ drama about a father and son’s experience in a WWII German concentration camp. What is the primary language in the film?

a. Italian

b. English

c. Polish/German

d. French

7. True or false. The 2017 movie Dunkirk is based on real events.

a. True

b. False

8. What 1993 Oscar-winning movie is credited with raising awareness of the Holocaust and has since been used as a teaching tool?

a. The Book Thief

b. Sophie’s Choice

c. Schindler’s List

d. Europa Europa

9. Who portrayed the brilliant English mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing, whose work on breaking German ciphers changed the course of the war, in the 2014 movie The Imitation Game?

a. Hugh Grant

b. Gary Oldman

c. Jude Law

d. Benedict Cumberbatch

10. Who were the ‘dirty dozen’ in the 1967 movie of the same name?

a. Twelve pilots

b. Twelve convicts in a military prison

c. Twelve sailors

d. Twelve police officers

Check your answers on page 24

mātou tāngata – Our people

Surprise celebration to mark three decades of dedicated service

Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) Programme Nurse Coordinator Victoria Cullens thought she was walking into a performance review when she opened the door to a room in Manawa last week.

Instead, it was a celebration of her 30-year milestone working for Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury and its predecessor organisations.

“You can put that away,” said Acting Nursing Director CCDM, Carol-Ann Todd, as she took Victoria’s work notebook off her.

“You are a valued member of our team, so dependable and your attention to detail is amazing, so thank you, and congratulations.”

A clue to what lay behind the door of the morning tea was a trail of tiny paper paw prints leading up to the room (Victoria is a fan of cats). The feline theme continued with a cat cake taking pride of place on the table which was covered with an original North Canterbury Hospital Board bedspread as a unique tablecloth.

Other nods to a bygone era were two red and blue capes which used to be worn by enrolled and registered nurses, and cardboard replica nursing caps featuring cat pictures on the front.

Victoria began her career in 1975 as a nursing student in one of the early intakes of the Comprehensive Nursing Programme at Christchurch Technical Institute. After graduation she specialised in neonatal and paediatric nursing and has worked in New Zealand, England, and Australia.

“It is indeed over 30 years since I came back from Australia,” Victoria said to those gathered.

“I really wanted to return to New Zealand and my mother rang to let me know there was a job advertised in the neonatal unit. I applied and have been back here ever since.”

Victoria worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for about 10 years before moving to the role of Graduate Nurse Programme (the forerunner of today’s Nursing Entry to Practice Programme) Coordinator in the early 2000s.

From there she returned to clinical work on Ward 22, the High Dependency Unit, where she stayed for 13 years.

Between 2015 and 2019 Victoria was part of the ISG team that rolled out MedChart to the organisation. Working with inspirational people has been the highlight of her career, particularly a previous nursing director, Sue Hayward, who was a mentor, and former Professional Development Unit Coordinator Nanette Ainge, she says.

Victoria is a wonderful person and a skilled nurse, says CCDM Nurse Coordinator Margaret Burns.

Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) Programme Nurse Coordinator Victoria Cullens cutting her 30-year anniversary cake

“We are so fortunate to have her in our team. Her skills in communication, logic, order, attention to detail, tenacity, humour, and kindness, are well utilised and very much appreciated by the CCDM team. We hope to spend many more years together supporting the programme.”

Outside of work Victoria enjoys genealogy, the weather, travel and New Zealand flora, fauna – and felines. Her interest in history, particularly nursing history, developed while studying for her MA at Victoria University of Wellington.

Victoria’s thesis explores recruitment and retention of nurses in New Zealand, in the decade following WWII.

CCDM: Safe Staffing, Healthy Workplaces is a programme run in partnership with Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, the Public Service Association, and the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service. It is about better matching staff resources to patient demand to improve patient care, support a healthy and sustainable work environment and make best use of health resources.

Colleagues past and present joined for the surprise morning tea

The cardboard replica old style nursing caps complete with cat pictures

Saturday 14 October 2023 at 11am

Victoria Cullens shares insights from her thesis on the post-war nursing shortage and reflects on contemporary issues.

Nurses’ Memorial Chapel by Christchurch Hospital

At 11am on Saturday 14 October at the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel, Christchurch Hospital, Victoria will share insights from her thesis on the post-war nursing shortage and reflect on contemporary issues.

Tūtaki mai ki te kapa – Meet the team NEQIP team

Introducing the National Endoscopy Quality Improvement Programme (NEQIP)

Who is in the team?

› National Clinical Lead Malcolm Arnold

› National Nurses Lead Holly Weale

› Coordinator Janette Ang

› NEQIP Consultant Carolyn Davison

What does the team do?

The NEQIP team supports endoscopy units around New Zealand to facilitate safe, patient-focused endoscopy services that are efficient, accountable, and sustainable.

How do you work with other parts of Te Whatu Ora?

We collaborate closely with a Senior Advisor at Te Whatu Ora and the National Bowel Screening Programme team. We work in partnership with the 32 publicly funded endoscopy units around New Zealand.

Check out…

The NEQIP team just developed and launched a new website:

https://neqip.hera.firebrand.nz/

Tell us about your team. It’s your chance to raise your profile and share what you do.

› Who is in your team?

› What do you do? Who are your customers?

› How do you work with other parts of Te Whatu Ora?

We can’t wait to hear from you. Complete the form here: www.forms.office.com/r/tnFrHQj94y

From left, Coordinator Janette Ang, National Nurses Lead Holly Weale and National Clinical Lead Malcolm Arnold. NEQIP Consultant Carolyn Davison is absent from the photo as she is based in the UK

One minute with…

Nicola Rooney, Clinical Manager

Physiotherapy, Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation

What does your job involve?

I professionally and operationally manage a team of 79 physiotherapists and physiotherapy assistants based on the Burwood site and provide professional leadership and advice to Allied Health managers in the community who have physiotherapy staff in their teams. My day is very unpredictable but generally involves liaising with the other Allied Health managers, communicating with my team leads, managing HR processes, advocating for physiotherapy, attending leadership meetings, planning service provision, project management, managing health and safety, managing the hydrotherapy pool, waitlist management, staff education, recruitment, and touching base with my team.

What pathway got you to this job?

I went to Otago University to do medicine but was in my halls of residence with physiotherapy students and I decided to change to physiotherapy. I graduated and then worked in New Zealand for five years before moving to London where I spent 10 years travelling and working. When I returned to New Zealand, I had a chance encounter with the then Director of Allied Health at a school reunion which led me back to Burwood Hospital. I started my career at Burwood and have worked in many roles and departments, including the Burns Unit, Spinal Unit and Outpatients, as well as a variety of roles in the UK, mainly focused on respiratory care and intensive care, so when the clinical manager role came up it seemed to be the right step for me to take.

What advice would you give someone keen to enter your field?

Physiotherapy is an amazing career. We have the privilege of being able to spend time with patients and address their needs and goals, often completely turning their independence and quality of life around as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Who inspires you and why?

I am inspired by a lot of different people but mainly the staff in my team who come to work each day with an enormous amount of energy for their patients. They always put their patients and colleagues before themselves and are passionate about having the patient at the centre of everything they do.

Personally, I am inspired by my mum. She lived and enjoyed such a wonderful life but sadly passed away recently. She was very elegant and worked in her own business selling New Zealand designer clothing until she was 76.

Clinical Manager Physiotherapy Nicola Rooney and her sons at Moeraki Boulders

What do Waitaha Canterbury’s values (Care and respect for others, Integrity in all we do and Responsibility for outcomes) mean to you in your role?

I see a large part of my role as being able to prioritise my staff and do whatever it takes to enable them to do their jobs. Providing care and respect for my staff sets the tone. We are all responsible for outcomes, and the more we work together on these outcomes the more we will achieve.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be?

I have many favourite places including Barcelona, Santorini, and Italy. I was born in Wales but have lived most of my life in New Zealand. I have a very long bucket list of places to visit but I wouldn’t mind where in the world I was right now as long as it is with my gorgeous ratbag boys!

Who would you want to play you if there was a movie made about your life?

This question caused much hilarity around our dinner table when I asked for suggestions. So, I asked a colleague who suggested Dawn French. Dawn was also born in Wales, has a brother of the same name and a father in the forces (mine was a Welsh Guard).

What are some of the ways you and your whānau shows their aroha / love for our planet?

We are very lucky to spend a lot of our time in the Mackenzie Country. We have a little bach close to Lake Aviemore and Benmore. We have tried to show the boys the beautiful country that we are able to live in and we show love for our planet by respecting and enjoying the outdoors. There is nothing like the quiet of being in the middle of Lake Benmore looking up to Mt Cook or the view from the top of Lake Ohau ski field. All the stresses in life just melt away.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?

I have spent the last four years following our two boys around the country rowing for their school. My main jobs were taxi driver, moneylender and cook. This year I only have one boy rowing, so I am finding I have more time to do the things I enjoy like swimming, going to the gym, skiing, walking in the hills, fishing (not catching), water sports, reading, cooking, and spending time with my friends and family. I have adopted a family member’s dog, and she loves the beach, so most Sundays, you will find me walking along North Beach in any weather. I have just started piano lessons much to the horror of my family. They have all asked for noise cancelling earplugs for Christmas! I told them to be thankful it wasn’t the trumpet! If you would

Akoranga reo Māori 35 – Lesson #35

He moni - Money

E aku hoa mahi pukunanaiore, tēnā anō koutou

Greetings my industrious colleagues.

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather and the longer days as we head towards raumati or summer…and Kirihimete (Christmas)! Wī! – wow! Can you believe it?

Our kaupapa this week is to do with all things moni or money. We will look at some kupu or words that relate to money, as well as some phrases and kīwaha. You may also want to look at learning the Māori numbers Maori numbers and counting - Ngā t,au. Knowing ngā tau Māori or the Māori numbers will give you a greater understanding of how to incorporate a lot of today’s akoranga into your everyday life.

He kupu – Some words

Whairawa Rich or wealthy

Tāra Dollar(s)

Pūtea Money, funds

Utu Price or cost

Hēneti Cents

Penapena Save

Pōhara Poor, broke, destitute, impoverished

Whakapau Spend

He pātai – Some questions

E hia te utu? What is the cost?

E hia te utu o _________? What is the cost of?

E hia te utu o te moenga?

E hia te utu o ngā moenga?

What is the cost of the bed?

What is the cost of the beds?

Note: ‘Te’ is ‘the’ (singular) in te reo Māori while ‘ngā’ is ‘the’ plural. You will see that in English we have added the suffix ‘s’ to pluralise the word ‘beds’. In te reo Māori, the plurality is instead indicated by the particular ‘the’ which precedes the kupu.

I mōhio rānei koe? Did you know?

He whakautu – Some answers

He nui te utu! It costs heaps!

He iti te utu. It is cheap.

E _____ te utu. The cost is_______.

E rua mano tāra te utu o te moenga. The bed costs 2000 dollars.

Kotahi mano e whā tekau tāra te utu. It costs 1040 dollars

Note: depending on the tau (i.e. if tau 2-9), the ‘e’ at the beginning of the answer may not be required.

He kīwaha – Some proverbial sayings

I’ll shout Māku e haute

Māku e haute

Deep pockets, lots of money, wealthy

Kua pakaru te pūkoro Broke

Moni i kore

More money than sense, loaded - make it rain

He whakapātaritari – A challenge

If you don’t know how to count in te reo Māori, have a go. This will allow you to engage more fully with this akoranga. If you can already count in te reo Māori, share your knowledge by helping others that are learning and try incorporating some of this content into your vocabulary.

The Labour government was responsible for setting up the Waitangi Tribunal on 10 Oketopa October 1975 to hear claims relating to breaches of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and make suggestions on settlement, as well as ensuring that future legislation was aligned with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Tēnā koutou e whakapau werawera nei kia whakahou ai i tō tātou reo tongarewa. Thank you to those that are working hard to revitalise our precious language. If you have any questions or feedback, please make contact via the email below. Hauora.Maori@cdhb.health.nz

Emergency Department (ED), Surgery, Ward B4, Christchurch Hospital

My father was admitted to Ward B4 with a broken leg. He is elderly and so the smooth rapid transfer through the ED, X-ray and onto the ward was essential. Within 24 hours he had the fracture repaired and was on the mend. Delays, I believe, would have had significant long-term consequences for him. Thank you for providing his urgent care. I am writing this compliment so that those who looked after him get recognition for their exemplary expertise, empathy, and a positive approach. Mr Tom Sharpe led the surgical team with a compassionate explanation of my father’s options and the results of their team meeting. The registrars phoned in the X-ray results and the outcome after surgery. The anaesthetist clearly explained the gravity of his situation and the recovery nurse gave us the good news he was recovering well. On the ward, his nurse Mia was completely committed to his recovery watching nervously as he took his first steps with the physiotherapist and occupational therapist. Dr John Thwaites and colleagues gave my father the encouragement he needed to look forward. The whole unit worked as a cohesive team. Our grateful thanks, we felt very fortunate and privileged.

Diane, Playroom Services, Christchurch Hospital

We attended an appointment with Play

Therapist

Diane Havler to provide a positive experience for a child who has regular blood tests, and for whom this

has been a challenging and traumatic experience. We were referred by Dr Karen McKenzie. Diane was amazing in her manner and approach. She was informative, comforting, and gentle, as well as clear. She empowered the child (who is six years old) and me, her guardian. As a result, the blood test went very well with no difficulties, and we have a plan for future tests. In fact, the child said the highlight of her holiday in Christchurch (we live out of the area,) was having the blood test which is incredible, given the screaming, tears, and anxiety in previous tests. I can't speak highly enough of Diane and the service. I think this is so important for our children. I understand Diane also trains staff in how to work appropriately with children so that they can deliver better services for our children. Thanks once again Diane for the brilliant experience, Karen for the referral, and the management and administration staff who approved the funds to enable this position to be established.

Ward 24, Christchurch Hospital

I want to say thank you to the nurses and healthcare assistants on Ward 24 for their care of my mother prior to her passing away. The nurses and healthcare assistants were very kind to me during the days prior to her death. In particular, the night nurses were very compassionate and caring.

Medical Assessment, Christchurch Hospital

The team in Medical Assessment without exception provided awesome care throughout and were very helpful, especially Roxanne and Claudia.

Heather, Occupational Therapist, Adult Community Therapy Services, Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation

The past couple of months have, all things considered, been among the best in recent memory. A huge part of this is down to the brilliant living space created for me here (it’s so practical) and which Heather has helped ‘populate’ with various everyday indispensable items that really make a difference/improvement in my life.

Ward A8, Christchurch Hospital

Fantastic treatment and care. Many thanks to the whole team.

ED, Christchurch Hospital

I am very grateful for the extremely respectful care and resources spent on me. A big thank you to ED.

Christchurch Hospital

Great staff, thank you very much.

Intensive Care Unit and Ward A4, Christchurch Hospital

I am so impressed with the knowledge, service and kindness of the doctors and nursing staff, in particular Raj, Richard and Jordan, and also John Thwaites. Thank you.

Vanessa, Day Surgery, Christchurch Women’s Hospital

Vanessa is a great nurse, thorough and especially kind. She is extremely sympathetic. Thank you, Vanessa, you really made a difference for me.

Ward A4, Christchurch Hospital

Will, the surgeon who operated on my step mum’s femur, has been really caring and lovely. Thank you. Seline was so lovely, so genuine, and kind. Thank you, guys.

Rachel, Ward A8, Christchurch Hospital

Thank you for looking after my father-in-law, in particular, Hospital Aide Rachel Thompson, what an angel. She is very compassionate, kind, caring, accommodating and always eager to help. You can see how much she loves her job and how dedicated she really is. She always had a warm smile and is such a beautiful soul. Thanks Rachel, for everything.

Gabby, Ward 10, Christchurch Hospital

Thank you so much to the whole team, especially Gabby, for her kindness and compassion in caring for [patient name] in her final days. Gabby is such a vibrant, warm, and positive woman. You treated [patient name] as an individual and with dignity. You will never know how much this has helped us as a family during this tragic time. Thank you.

Endoscopy Clinic, Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital

I was recently referred for a colonoscopy after a positive result from a bowel screening test. I wish to convey my compliments to the staff at the Endoscopy Clinic from the receptionist, Georgia Cambridge, who I first dealt with, to the ward and theatre staff including the clinician Teresa Chalmers-Watson. The staff to a person were calming, warm, friendly, and most accommodating, making my visit much easier to cope with considering my anxiety at the time. My result at this stage appears to be successful with no underlying issues, however, win, lose or draw, my experience was extremely positive and the treatment and staff administering it appear to be of a high and professional standard. Please convey my many thanks and appreciation to them for the service they provide and provided to me.

ED, Christchurch Hospital

I attended ED today and had fantastic service! The nurses were extremely kind and helpful. Very grateful, cheers! Love what you guys do!

John, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Christchurch Hospital

ICU reception staff member John who worked on Saturday and Sunday 1/10/23. Just wanted to say how we appreciate you and your kindness while our whānau needed to spend time in ICU. Thank you so much.

Wayfinding Volunteer Mary and Carla, Radiology, Christchurch Hospital

Thank you so much to Wayfinding Volunteer Mary for helping us get where we needed to go and to Carla from Radiology for getting our daughter’s X-ray referral sorted. You are both awesome and we really appreciate your help.

Christchurch Hospital

You guys have been amazing. Keep up the good work. Much love.

Celebrating 50 years of Hyperbaric Medicine in Christchurch

Half a century of Hyperbaric Medicine in Christchurch was celebrated on Friday 29 September.

Current and past staff, contractors, and people who worked in the early days as volunteers, gathered for an interesting and educational talk by Simon Mitchell, a deep-water diving adventurer and internationally acclaimed leader in Dive Medicine. This was followed by the launch of a book on the history of Hyperbaric Medicine in Christchurch. 'A half-century history' is written by Mike Davis, the unit's former Clinical Director and a stalwart of the sub-specialty.

When the Christchurch Hyperbaric Medicine Unit Te Whare Hau o Te Hau Ora opened in the early 1970s, it was staffed by enthusiastic volunteers and clinical staff who worked in the unit in addition to their usual roles, says Service Manager David Brandts-Giesen.

“The service started with a small mono-place chamber (fitting only the patients) and now operates a multi-place chamber that seats up to four patients, plus an attendant.”

The chamber is equipped for the treatment of ventilated, unconscious patients who present acutely with conditions such as decompression sickness and necrotising fasciitis. Many routine patients treated have complicated, chronic wounds, injuries from radiation therapy, or central retinal artery occlusion (a disease of the eye where the flow of blood through the central retinal artery is blocked), he says.

The subspecialty of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine (DHM) has two main areas:

› Diving Medicine, which is mainly involved in the prevention and treatment of diving-related injury. It provides emergency treatment for divers for decompression sickness, also known as the bends, and people with arterial gas embolisms and carbon monoxide poisoning.

› Hyperbaric Medicine, the treatment of specific medical conditions with hyperbaric oxygen. This delivers high doses of oxygen to radiation damaged tissue which stimulates healing that does not otherwise occur.

Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine began in Christchurch in 1973 with a trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to enhance radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancers. It was also used to treat acute problems such as decompression sickness and carbon monoxide poisoning.

In the late 1970s, the local diving community raised money for a dual-lock chamber which was donated to the then North Canterbury Hospital Board.

This operated at The Princess Margaret Hospital from 1979 to 1994. The following year the chamber moved to Christchurch Hospital, allowing better access to core services such as Radiology and Intensive Care.

The modern-day multi-place chamber with digital control panel behind the counter on the right

The original Vickers monoplace chamber

In November 2000, the old chamber was replaced with a new, rectangular, walk-in chamber and permanent staff were appointed.

This was all achieved during Mike’s 30-year tenure as Clinical Director, achieving a goal set back in the early 1980s to establish the Christchurch unit as a comprehensive hospital-based hyperbaric facility.

In November 2017 the chamber underwent a major upgrade. The panel was upgraded to a fully electronic system and the chamber interior was refurbished.

Today the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at Christchurch Hospital is staffed by a team of doctors, drawn from various departments (Emergency Medicine,

General Practice and Anaesthesia). Roxanna Sadri is the Clinical Director and staff include technical officers (the unit developed a training position for a hyperbaric technician, which was a first for New Zealand) in charge of the equipment and the hyperbaric chamber itself, as well as registered nurses. Lorraine Angus is the unit’s Charge Nurse Manager.

The unit is accredited for advanced training in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). Accreditation means the unit can train medical specialists in Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine which is important for the sustainability of the national service.

Some of the Christchurch Hyperbaric Medicine Unit team

Introducing the Health Technology Centre

Health Technology Centre Manager Madeleine Martin discusses the recent opening of the Health Technology Centre and her vision for its role within the health tech innovation ecosystem.

The Health Technology Centre in Te Matatiki Toi Ora | The Arts Centre, has recently opened to create a space for a cluster of health technology companies and the wider community to work from a unique and collaborative environment.

Te Matatiki Toi Ora | The Arts Centre is the largest collection of Category 1 listed heritage buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Health Technology Centre sits at its heart, occupying most of the Engineering Extensions building built in 1923 and the top floor of the Electrical Engineering building built in 1902.

The buildings were extensively damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes, but have been seismically strengthened, restored, and linked by a new overhead bridge, the Bridge of Aspiration. The restoration has been meticulous, and heritage features have been retained wherever possible, down to student and thespian graffiti in the rafters. When Professor Robert Julian Scott was appointed the first head of the Engineering department at Canterbury College in 1889, little did he know that his pioneering vision would lay the foundation for a Health Technology Centre that seamlessly merges the past and the future; the arts and the sciences.

Few workspaces can boast such a direct link to the city’s history of technological innovation. You can even host a board meeting immediately above the site of New Zealand’s first television transmission.

The location of the Health Technology Centre has numerous advantages:

› Ōtautahi Christchurch has a strong reputation for innovation, cutting-edge technology, and collaboration between health agencies

› The Health Technology Centre is situated on the edge of Te Papa Hauora Health Precinct, bringing tenants into close proximity with hospital clinicians, tertiary educators, and mana whenua

› Te Matatiki Toi Ora | The Arts Centre already hosts all the ancillary services of a technology precinct, including bookable venues, a boutique hotel, and hospitality outlets

› Being embedded in The Arts Centre means companies are surrounded by people with a deep understanding of creativity and innovation

› The beautifully restored buildings have a rich history of technical brilliance, offering a unique working environment and talking point.

The recently opened Health Technology Centre has some amazing founding tenants including Komodo, oVRcome, Myvolt, Johner Institute, The Kite Programme, ContentedAI, The Honest Human and Calmly.

The vision of the Health Technology Centre has always been more than just a co-workspace for health technology companies.

From left, Executive Officer - Te Papa Hauora Pip Griffin, Manager - Health Technology Centre Madeleine Martin and Head of Health Technology - Callaghan Innovation Andrew Clews

It will be a place for inspiration, connection and collaboration and ultimately provide the advice and services that the health tech innovation ecosystem needs to ensure we are translating more research and clinical innovations into commercial products that have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our communities.

The Health Technology Centre will become a platform dedicated to coordinating services that support new ideas and research from concept through to commercialisation.

It will focus on building and accelerating capability in start-ups and scaling businesses in Ōtautahi Christchurch’s key areas of strength, such as next generation medical devices, sensors and diagnostics, manufacturing, and sustainable medtech.

The Health Technology Centre will also provide a platform of relevant advisory services and expertise, such as quality, regulatory, health economics, reimbursement, marketing, sales, and clinical research. This will help health technology ventures succeed and ensure that the technologies that have the most impact on community are supported.

Space inside The Health Technology Centre

The exterior of Te Matatiki Toi Ora | The Arts Centre

Spotlight on malnutrition

Monday 9 October marks the beginning of Malnutrition Week in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).

Up to 40 percent of hospital patients are thought to be malnourished. One of the challenges in addressing this is awareness, both among clinicians and the public.

Malnutrition Week ANZ is a dedicated time to bring attention to the staggering rates of malnutrition in Australian and New Zealand communities and healthcare settings. It is an opportunity for healthcare providers to work together with our dietitian colleagues to get involved and raise awareness.

Be a nutrition champion in your department and start the conversation with your multidisciplinary health care colleagues and spread the word: Malnutrition impacts lives. We need to make a difference.

The campaign spotlights the shared responsibility of healthcare staff, patients and whānau to identify, treat and prevent malnutrition. We hope you’ll stand with us in taking action to diagnose and treat malnutrition – or better yet, prevent malnutrition altogether.

Keep an eye out for our malnutrition booths around Christchurch Hospital this week, and the Malnutrition Week quiz to go in the draw for a hamper of goodies – spot prizes will also be available.

Celebrating Global Handwashing Day

Waitaha Canterbury joins with the World Health Organization, Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality Safety Commission and communities around the world in support of Global Handwashing Day which this year is celebrated on Sunday 15 October.

This global advocacy day is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent disease and save lives. The aim is to trigger lasting change from the policy-level to community-driven action.

Clean hands save lives!

The theme for 2023 is ‘Clean hands are within reach’, because everyone has a role to play. Reliant, resilient, and sustainable systems must be built to create an enabling environment in which hand hygiene can be practiced across homes, schools, workplaces, healthcare facilities and other community settings.

You can find more information here

Pānui – Notices

Something For You

Something for You is the Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha Canterbury employee benefits programme. The deals offered are from the New Zealand business community to say thank you for all that you do. Please see below offers for you.

Nood - www.nood.co.nz

Friends and Family Promotion - Friday 6 October to Sunday 15 October 2023. Receive 60 percent off full price items and 10 per cent off the Elements Range. Show your staff ID and a copy of the voucher available here to redeem. Terms and conditions apply, listed within the voucher details.

RUSSLEY GOLF CLUB – 428 Memorial Ave, Russley

Discounted casual green fees refer here - show your staff ID to redeem.

DYERS ROAD ITM - 291 Dyers Road, Bromley, Christchurch

Get Special rates on -TIMBER /POWER TOOLS/ HARDWARE/GIB /FITOUTS. Call 03 373 6049 for more information or call into the store. Must produce staff ID to redeem. .

GELATO AND TEA - 96 Oxford Terrace, Riverside Market, Christchurch Central

Get 20 percent off your food order. Show your staff ID to redeem.

QUIZ ANSWERS – World War II Movies

1. China

2. a. Bouncing bomb

3. d. Matt Damon

4. b. Motorcycle

5. b. The English Patient

6. a. Italian – starring Roberto Benigni

7. a. True. It tells the true story of the evacuation of more than 338,000 allied troops from northern France over a period of 10 days.

8. c. Schindler’s List

9. d. Benedict Cumberbatch

10. b. Twelve convicts in a military prison

Location: Addington School

Wednesdays 4th Oct – 13th Dec 2023 5-7pm - come when you can.

Lessons are FREE. Bikes & helmets provided.

www.radbikes.co.nz/bikebridge bikebridge@radbikes.co.nz

Check Facebook page for updates.

Nursing Education 1923 – 2023

A Century of Change

Daily 1pm - 4pm, Wed 11th – Sunday 15th October

Visit the Nurses’ Memorial Chapel to see displays about:

 Preliminary nursing school’s first tutor, Mary Christmas

 School of Nursing ephemera and photos

 Timeline of amazing developments

 How nurses learn in the 21st century

2 Riccarton Ave by Christchurch Hospital