News & Media Releases from Tairawhiti District Health

Chance for Waikohu community to talk about health

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 +1200

Tairawhiti District Health board members take their committee meetings to the community next week, in a bid to get closer to the real health issues facing the district.

TDH Board chairman David Scott said the Community & Public Health and Aged & Disability Support advisory committees would combine their regular meetings to hear from members of the Waikohu community.

The public meeting will be held at the Te Karaka Bowling Club on Station Road, on Tuesday 15 May.

“The meeting is from 9am until midday and anyone is welcome. We want to hear directly from the people in the area, about what health services are working well for the Waikohu community, and what things are not working so well. Our aim is to find out how we can improve health services for the people living in the area.”

Mr Scott said similar meetings in other communities had been successful.

“Last year the Community & Public Health committee met in Elgin and talked with members of the E Tu Elgin group. We heard about how difficult it was to encourage people to make healthy food choices instead of buying pies and fish and chips.”

Following that meeting, E Tu Elgin found support – and funding – from the Healthy Eating Healthy Action team at Tairawhiti District Health. As a direct result, the Elgin shopping centre launched its first ever Shop & Win promotion in March, in a bid to promote healthy kai across the community. The promotion finished last week, with organisers saying it encouraged hundreds of people to buy healthy food such as sweetcorn and kumara fritters, steak and salad wraps, and muesli crunch.

“I’m expecting that at Waikohu the issues will be different, because the community there is different,” said Mr Scott. “It is important people realise that looking after their health is wider than the GP or hospital. Having a healthy lifestyle is a major factor in preventing illness and hospital visits as you grow older. I’m hopeful we’ll get a good turn-out from the Waikohu community at the meeting next week, and that some practical action can be taken after we hear their concerns and ideas.”

Mr Scott said the board had a commitment to holding at least two advisory committee meetings out in the community each year. Another combined meeting on the East Coast has been scheduled for later in 2012.

ENDS

For more information

Kathy McVey

Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District Health

06 869-0500 Ext 8115

021 223-7094

Work starts on new ambulance bay

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 +1200

Gisborne Hospital’s ambulance bay will be closed and vehicles directed through the main emergency department entrance, when construction of a new ambulance bay begins on Monday, 7 May 2012.

Tairawhiti District Health Chief Executive, Jim Green, said he expected disruption to patients over the six-week construction period would be kept to a minimum, but it was important people were aware of the short-term change.

“To maintain safety and comply with the Building Act, we have no choice but to close the ambulance bay. And that means ambulances will be parked at the outpatient entrance. Patients and visitors need to take care when using this entrance because ambulances may need to exit this area urgently.”

Mr Green said patients will be able to access outpatient clinics via the main entrance of the hospital or by the side door entrance.

“The side door will be sign-posted clearly. If you are attending an outpatient appointment you can still access your clinic via the outpatient entrance. But you may be asked to wait occasionally, as priority access could be needed for ambulance patients who are very unwell or injured.”

Mr Green apologised for any inconvenience, and said the upgrade of the existing ambulance bay will improve patient access and comfort into the emergency department.

The redesign will result in a fully closed-in ambulance bay that will be protected from the weather and will improve patient privacy, as well as security for patients and staff.

Funds from the establishment of the Tui te Ora Community Health Centre have been donated to the project.

Diabetes and Chronic Illness Lifestyle Building Trust Chairman John Clarke said the Trust and Gisborne Registered Masters Builders, which raised funds for the Tui te Ora project, had been keeping watch for another project which might sit well with their original vision.

The ambulance bay modifications were chosen because “like Tui te Ora the group of people who will benefit is far wider than just the DHB…it’s for the entire community of Tairawhiti”.

“The ambulance bay is adjacent to the hospital’s emergency department and coincidentally also close to Tui te Ora,” said Mr Clarke.

St John moved to new American-style collapsible Striker Stretchers some time ago. But the bay’s loading platform was originally designed for older stretchers which were lifted onto trolleys. The new stretchers combined with the modified and raised loading platform will mean no lifting, so there are obvious health and safety benefits for St John’s personnel.

ENDS

For more information

Kathy McVey

Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District health

06 869-0500 Ext 8115

021 223-7094

New integrated cancer service will benefit Tairawhiti people

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200

Local people will have access to more timely cancer treatment services from 1 July 2013, when Tairawhiti District Health enters into a new agreement with Waikato District Health Board.

The move to shift services which are currently split across MidCentral DHB and Waikato DHB into a ‘one-stop shop’ will have wide-reaching benefits for patients and their families, said TDH Board Chair, David Scott.

Mr Scott said the change will ensure Tairawhiti people receive better and more convenient treatment.

Mr. Scott’s message for patients and their families is that a smooth transition process to the new service is a critical component of the change.

“We have more than a year to make sure everything is in place prior to any changes and we are well advanced on that already as a requirement of investigating the options. If you are receiving services from MidCentral DHB closer to the time of transfer, your records and treatment plan will be formally transferred in plenty of time.

“You and your family will get excellent accommodation and support services in Hamilton – seven days a week at the brand new Cancer Society Lodge.”

Mr Scott added this is not a cost-cutting exercise, but more about improving the patient journey for a large number of Tairawhiti patients.

“In fact, TDH will be spending more on additional staff and clinics to further enhance our services.

“Furthermore, the government is focussed on regionalisation, and all DHBs are working more cooperatively within their regions – so the shift of services to Waikato makes sense in that way too.”

TDH Chief Executive, Jim Green, said the change heralds an improved multi-disciplinary approach that sees diagnostics, surgery and cancer treatment services consolidated for the majority of patients across one main cancer treatment provider in Hamilton.

Mr Green said all evidence showed that timeliness of treatment and a smoother patient journey resulted in better survival rates for people with cancer, regardless of the type of cancer they were suffering from.

“This fact has driven our search for a better option for Tairawhiti. We have received excellent service from the MidCentral team over the years, but it was time to look at ways we could take survival rates higher.

“Under the present model, the patient journey can be complex, with some Tairawhiti people travelling to two cities for treatment. Our mandate was to develop a patient-focused approach which reduced both the travel for patients and the number of different environments where they receive treatment… In essence, a one-stop shop for as many patients as possible.”

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BACKGROUND

After several independent reviews of the way in which Tairawhiti people with cancer currently journey through the health system, the Tairawhiti District Health Board agreed to investigate other options for the provision of cancer treatment services. The goal was to improve the patient journey, and consequent health outcomes.

Waikato DHB developed a business case for an integrated cancer service with TDH, with strong multi-disciplinary links between TDH and Waikato DHB surgical services, as well as an improved radiological pathway within a one-stop shop environment. MidCentral DHB also presented an enhanced service to the TDH Board.

The extent of the change is significant, and also impacts on a number of inter-related services including the planning work of the Central Region Cancer Network, support services (patient and whanau accommodation), and services provided by the local Cancer Society which currently reports through to the Central Region Cancer Society.

For more information contact:

Jim Green Kathy McVey

Chief Executive Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District Health Tairawhiti District Health

869-0500 ext 8100 869-0500 ext 8115 or 021 223-7094

Make ED your last option this Easter

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +1200

Tairawhiti District Health is appealing to the public to see their doctors and get their scripts filled before general practices reduce services over Easter.

Chief Executive Jim Green reminded people that Gisborne Hospital’s Emergency Department needed to be kept for real emergencies.

“When we look at the figures from the summer holidays, we can see that some people came to our Emergency Department for things like renewal of prescriptions because they forgot to get them from their GPs before the holidays.

“With Easter coming up next weekend we’re trying to get the message out to the public that they need to plan in advance with primary care appointments."

Primary care relates to the professional health care delivered in the community, usually from a general practitioner (GP) or practice nurse.

Primary health care covers a broad range of health and preventative services, including health education, counselling, disease prevention and screening.

“Our message to patients is don’t wait. Make an appointment to see your GP and free up the Emergency Department to deal with patients who need serious and more urgent medical help,” said Mr Green.

The first place people should look for urgent health care is their family doctor, the second is advice on care which can be accessed via Healthline on 0800 611 116 and the third option is the Emergency Department which should only be used for health emergencies.

ENDS

For more information:

Kathy McVey

Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District Health

06 869-0500 ext 8115

021 2237094

Manaaki Movement promotes healthy kai in Elgin

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300

Elgin Shopping Centre launches its first ever Shop & Win promotion tomorrow morning, in a bid to promote healthy kai across the community.

The idea was first raised by E Tu Elgin at a meeting last year in which the Elgin community came together with Tairawhiti District Health Board’s Community and Public Health Advisory Committee to share their vision for the suburb.

As a result, E Tu Elgin found support – and funding – from the Healthy Eating Healthy Action team at Tairawhiti District Health to deliver a project focussed on providing healthy kai options at the Elgin Shopping Centre.

E Tu Elgin member Nona Aston said that since 2010, the group had provided only healthy kai and water at community events.

“That was one thing we could do to raise the profile of healthy living, and since then feedback from the community has shown us there is a real desire for healthier options at the local shopping centre.”

The project, which was launched at this morning’s Gisborne District Council consultation event, is known as Manaaki Movement – following a “Name our Project” competition held in Elgin. Each retailer has identified a range of healthy foods to display the Manaaki Movement logo.

And until 5 May, when they buy these healthy kai options, shoppers can win vouchers to spend at the six participating stores: Elgin Bakery, Buyrite Discount Store (Four Square), Elgin Fish Shop, Elgin Butchery, Golden Chinese Takeaway, Elgin Dairy.

TDH Health Promotion Advisor Tui Takurangi said the team at TDH had been working with the Elgin retailers for some time to develop this project.

It’s much more than just collecting stamps and winning vouchers. Twice a week there’ll be cooking demonstrations, tasting demonstrations and we’ve developed information to support whanau in eating well.

“The healthy kai options are truly delicious,” she said. “They’re things like sweetcorn and kumara fritters, kaimoana chowder, steak and salad wraps and muesli crunch.”

The Manaaki Movement is more than just one community. On completion of the project, E Tu Elgin plans to hand the kaupapa (resources, learnings, findings, etc) over to other community groups wanting to establish a similar project in their community, so that the Manaaki Movement keeps growing.

The promotion runs from Monday, March 26 until Saturday, May 5.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Kathy McVey

Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District Health

06 869-0500 ext 8115

021 223-7094

Five Midland DHBs work together to be Smokefree/Tobacco Free by 2025

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +1300

Photo L-R: Mary Bourke (Chair Taranaki DHB); David Scott (Chair Tairawhiti DHB); Sally Webb (Chair Bay of Plenty DHB); Deryck Shaw (Chair Lakes DHB); Punohu McCausland (Chair Midland Iwi Relationship Board); Graeme Milne (Chair Waikato DHB) and Karen Evison (National Programme Manager, Sector Capability and Implementation, Ministry of Health).

The five Midland DHBs have combined with the Midland Iwi Relationship Board (MIRB) to renew commitment to making their central North Island districts entirely Smokefree/Tobacco Free by 2025.

The five DHBs – Tairawhiti, Lakes, Waikato, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty – and the MIRB which represents iwi in each area, signed a refreshed Smokefree Midland vision statement committing to continue to co-ordinate efforts and provide strong leadership to achieve the vision on Friday 2 March 2012 in Rotorua.

“We are united in approaching this vision with a real sense of urgency. Anything less would be failing our communities because our children deserve a future where smoking is history,” said David Scott, Chair of Tairawhiti DHB.

“Around 18 per cent of deaths in the Midland DHB areas are caused by tobacco related illnesses. This is a huge avoidable and continuing toll on individuals, families and communities, “said Mr Scott.

District health boards have statutory responsibility for improving the health of their populations. As smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of illness and early death, DHBs and MIRB must do much more to combat smoking and achieve the vision of a Smokefree/Tobacco free Midland by 2025.

“Tobacco and smoking are too visible in our communities. Tobacco is a deadly addictive drug and our children need to grow up free from the risk of becoming addicted to it. We are committed to working with the government, territorial local authorities, iwi, community leaders, businesses and our communities to address this as a matter of urgency,” said Mr Scott.

Chair of the Midland Iwi Relationship Board, Punohu McCausland, said iwi health boards across the five districts are totally committed to the vision.

“For Maori the impact of tobacco and smoking is even more significant. Eradicating smoking from New Zealand is the single most important and attainable policy action to reduce inequalities in mortality for Maori. The potential health benefits of stopping smoking for our children and our whanau are significant,” she said.

Four of the five Midland DHBs signed an initial Smokefree vision statement in 2009. They combined to recruit a Midland Smokefree Programme Director to provide strategic leadership in the development of the Midland Smokefree Programme. This year the vision statement has been updated to align with national work adding in the philosophy of being tobacco free. Taranaki DHB and the Midland Iwi Relationship Boards have also added their support to this significant collaboration.

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Smokefree Midland facts

The Smokefree Midland DHBs serve a combined population of more than 700,000, including more than 215,000 Maori.

National statistics indicate that about 23.5% of the population smoke tobacco, including more than 40% of Maori, and there are about 165,000 smokers in the Midland region.

National Smoking Facts

Tobacco is highly addictive
In New Zealand, and internationally, tobacco is the single leading cause of preventable illness and death

Around 5000 New Zealanders die each year from tobacco-related illness
Around 400 New Zealanders die each year because of exposure to other people’s tobacco smoke making second-hand smoke the leading environmental cause of death in this country
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of stress during labour, low birth weight, cot death and asthma
Some 46 per cent of Maori are current smokers compared with 21 percent of non-Maori
Maori in all age groups have higher smoking rates than non-Maori
Maori women have the highest recorded rates, at 49 percent

Smoking affects New Zealanders disproportionately

Parents’ smoking and their attitudes about smoking are key influences in predicting whether children and young people continue to smoke
Most Smokers want to quit

Who is quitting smoking, and what groups are struggling to do so?

A Ministry of Health publication, Tobacco Trends 2006, found almost one in every four teenagers aged 15 to 19 years smoking. Smokers are around 23.5% of the total population, with Māori (45%) and Pacific people (37%) having higher rates of smoking than other New Zealanders. 50% of Māori women are currently smokers. Tobacco Trends 2006 also found about 19% of people identifying themselves as ex-smokers, with a large proportion of them quitting smoking once they hit the age of 40.

Quitting

Smoking is more expensive than it’s ever been, but there’s also more free support than ever before.

Stop-smoking services include Quitline (0800 778 778), a freephone service that provides counselling and offers nicotine replacement therapy to those attempting to quit.

Aukati Kai Paipa is a face-to-face service developed specifically to meet the needs of Māori women and their whanau. A range of other primary health care providers, such as Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), General Practitioners, and Pacific Health Services also offer stop-smoking services. Smokers who want to stop can also visit The Quit Group web site at www.quit.org.nz

Locals appointed to lead Otago University programme in Tairawhiti

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +1300

Two new staff have been appointed in Gisborne by the University of Otago to lead and administer an exciting new programme for senior health professional students.

The three year Tairawhiti Interprofessional Education programme brings undergraduate students from different health disciplines together to learn and gain clinical experience in rural New Zealand. The programme is a partnership between the University of Otago, Tairawhiti District Health and EIT.

Dr. Patrick McHugh, a doctor with well-established and respected community and professional links, has been appointed to the position of Programme Leader. Ms Elizabeth Rose Parsons has been appointed to the position of Programme Administrator. Both are locals with valuable combined knowledge and skills that will benefit the Tairawhiti Interprofessional Education programme.

Dr McHugh, who has been involved with GP liaison training for many years, said not only will students gain valuable clinical experience and have excellent opportunities to work in Maori communities and with Maori health providers, they will also have an unparalleled opportunity to engage in a comprehensive interprofessional education programme. “Research shows students who train in rural areas are more likely to return to work in similar areas,” he added.

Tairawhiti District Health Chief Executive Jim Green said planning was well underway for the establishment of a Health Learning Centre on Gisborne Hospital’s Ormond Rd campus. “The proposal is for a fully self-contained conference facility, one that can host the 168 medical, dental, nursing, physiotherapy and pharmacy students expected over the next three years, as part of the programme with Otago University.”

Mr Green said the announcement of a grant of $150,000 from Eastland Community Trust was a boost for the project. TDH also plans to make the facility available to community groups and other health providers. Along with a learning focus, the concept is to create a centre of health care improvement for the entire district.

“The Tairawhiti Health Learning Centre is to be a venue for learning and debate that will advance health care outcomes and secure the future of our local health workforce.”

The Interprofessional Education Programme is a collaborative project, with Health Workforce NZ funding several training partners - the University of Otago and Eastern Institute of Technology in Tairawhiti; and the University of Auckland and Auckland University of Technology in Whakatane.

ENDS

For more information:

Patrick McHugh Kathy McVey

Programme Leader Communications Manager

Interprofessional Education Programme Tairawhiti District Health

Tairawhiti District Health 869-0500 ext 8115

869-0500 ext 8755

Security boost at hospital after break-ins

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health is stepping up security following a spate of car break-ins and thefts in the main car park at Gisborne Hospital.

Chief executive Jim Green said he had increased the number of security personnel patrolling the hospital’s Ormond Road campus after reports that cars had been interfered with and property stolen. There had also been a report that a staff member’s vehicle had been stolen.

Mr Green said he was disappointed and disturbed by the trend.

“I hate to think of people visiting sick whanau and friends in hospital, only to then go outside and find that their car has been broken into. Our hard-working staff also need to be able to focus on helping people in the hospital, rather than worrying that their car may not be there when they finish work.

“I am not happy to be allocating additional funds for security when our job at TDH is to improve the health and well-being of everyone in the region. The actions of a few individuals mean that important resources now need to be funnelled away from that mission, and into stopping these people who steal from others.”

Mr Green said he would continue to monitor security at the hospital closely, and urged the public to report all incidents of theft to Gisborne Police.

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Throat swabbing programme tackles Rheumatic Fever

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +1300

In an effort to help eradicate rheumatic fever, Tairawhiti District Health will launch a throat swabbing programming in local schools next month.

The programme is a triple partnership between TDH, Turanga Health and Ngati Porou Hauora and is to be paid for with special government funding over the next 18 months.

TDH Medical Officer of Health, Dr Geoffrey Cramp, said while it’s easy to brush a sore throat aside as “nothing serious”, those caused by streptococcal bacteria can lead to more serious illness, such as Rheumatic Fever.

Rheumatic Fever is a condition that develops about 19 days after a streptococcal sore throat. It can cause a combination of fever, joint pains, skin rash, unusual writhing movements of the arms and legs… but it also causes an inflammation in the heart that cannot be seen or felt. This can lead to longer term damage of the heart which ultimately may result in the need for surgery later in life.

Tairawhiti has the highest rates in New Zealand for children admitted to hospital for the first time with rheumatic fever.

The aim of the prevention programme is to reduce the rate of acute rheumatic fever in Tairawhiti by providing throat swabbing for school children aged 5-14 years who live in high-risk areas for the disease and that present with sore throats.

A launch event on Monday 23 January 2012, is open to members of the public, as well as health professionals. The morning session will deliver an overview of the programme, with the afternoon session targeting nurses. It is to be held from 10.30am at Te Wananga O Aotearoa.

TDH Nurse Team Leader, Heather Robertson, said the programme will ensure at-risk children are treated effectively and will also increase community awareness of rheumatic fever. She added that there is one clear message: “Sore throats matter and in our community every child with a sore throat should see their doctor or nurse to make sure they get care.”

Thirty-four of Tairawhiti’s decile 1, 2 and 3 schools will be the focus of the rheumatic fever prevention programme, with health professionals visiting three times per week during the school term.

Other schools will be serviced on referral to provide the same service for children that are part of the high need population attending higher decile schools. The service will also be offered to whanau of the children testing positive for Group A Streptococcal (GAS) sore throat.

The throat swabbing service will be provided free of charge from February 2012 until June 2013. Ms Robertson said it will be delivered in a culturally and socially appropriate manner where the privacy of children and families is respected.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The sponsors of the “Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme – Throat Swabbing in Schools” are Dr Mary Stonehouse (Community Paediatrician) and Dr Geoffrey Cramp (Medical Officer of Health) employed by TDH.

Both these clinicians sit on the Tairawhiti Rheumatic Fever Action group; Dr Cramp oversaw the two reviews undertaken by third year students from Auckland University (Departments of Paediatrics and Population Health).

Dr Cramp also led the March 2009 Rheumatic Fever screening project in Tairawhiti (four East Coast and one Gisborne city schools).

Dr Stonehouse leads the community paediatric outreach service.

Whooping cough returns to Gisborne

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Whooping Cough appears to be making a comeback, and that is worrying for Tairawhiti District Health’s public health unit.

“In the past month we’ve seen 15 cases of Whooping Cough notified to Public Health,” said TDH Medical Officer of Health, Dr Geoffrey Cramp. “For the same time last year we had no cases at all.”

As a notifiable disease, Whooping Cough must be reported to the Medical Officer of Health. “This is so we can attempt to control the disease and protect infants aged less than 12 months who may have been exposed.

“Children and adults who are coughing and unwell should not go to school and work. If the cough is due to Whooping Cough they are still infectious until they have had fives days of a 14 day course of antibiotics.”

“When we think of Whooping Cough we tend to think of children and babies, but often it is adults who get it. The problem with Whooping Cough is that it affects babies under one year of age more severely, due to their smaller airways. This can lead to hospitalisation for the baby to be given oxygen and in some cases the illness can lead to pneumonia, brain damage and in severe cases even death.”

Whooping Cough – also known as Pertussis – causes a cough that usually lasts longer than two weeks and usually causes severe bouts of coughing that can end in the person vomiting. Whooping Cough can cause young babies to stop breathing for a short time, and turn them a dusky blue colour. The cough often causes a whooping sound on breathing in, and this is what gives the condition its name.

Whooping Cough is caused by bacteria spread by coughing and sneezing. There are similar coughs that are also caused by viruses, so it is important to get a clear diagnosis so the correct antibiotics can be given. Whooping Cough is diagnosed by a swab taken from the secretions from the nose.

“Once diagnosed it is possible to treat with an antibiotic called erythromycin,” said Dr Cramp. “Therefore it is important to go to your GP if you develop a continuous cough or if you vomit after coughing . Babies who are unwell with a cough should also be seen by a doctor.”

Women in the later stages of pregnancy exposed to a diagnosed case of Whooping Cough should also get antibiotics because there is a risk to the unborn baby.

The occurrence of Whooping Cough in New Zealand is definitely increasing. Epidemics of whooping cough occur in about 4-year cycles in New Zealand. There was an epidemic in 2004/2005, with 3485 notified cases. Between 2004 and 2008, forty percent of notified cases occurred in people older than 30.

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For more information:

DR GEOFFREY CRAMP

Medical Officer of Health | Tairawhiti District Health

869-0500 ext 8715 | www.tdh.org.nz

BACKGROUND

PROTECTION AGAINST WHOOPING COUGH

Immunisation is the best way to protect babies and the community against Whooping Cough.

Immunisation injections for babies are given at six weeks, three months and five months of age. But children are not fully protected against Whooping Cough until they have received all three of these doses. Therefore it is important that these babies get their immunisations on time, so that they are at less risk when mixing with older people.

Children should also receive booster immunisations at four years and then again at 11 years of age.

For adults, immunity to Whooping Cough will gradually disappear so it is important that people who work with, or are involved with, young children have a Whooping Cough booster vaccination.

Contact your GP for further information and to arrange to get immunised.

Get to your doctor before Christmas

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Five district health boards covering most of the central North Island say they're determined to keep their 12 emergency departments for real emergencies over the Christmas/New Year period.

And to prompt the region's 830,000 people, who should visit their GP before Christmas Day to fill prescriptions or get checked out, the Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairawhiti, Taranaki and Waikato district health boards combined with their primary health organisations to hammer the message home.

"Don't wait - go see your GP now and get organised for Christmas," said Tairawhiti District Health Board Chief Executive, Jim Green.

Whilst the summer season is often a time for families and individuals to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, emergency departments across New Zealand, particularly those in traditional hotspots like the East Coast are stretched to their limits with increasing patient admissions.

Many presentations could be avoided had people gone to their GPs.

New Year's Day is also often the busiest day of the year for emergency departments (ED) at many hospitals.

Waikato Hospital is the tertiary provider, which means its emergency department tends to get the major trauma cases from the central North Island.

Midlands Health Network chief executive John Macaskill-Smith said his message to patients is "don't wait".

The Midlands Health Network is a unified team of primary health care professionals committed to delivering the very best primary health care to nearly 500,000 people in the central North Island regions of the East Coast, Coromandel, Waikato, Taupo, King Country and Taranaki.

"Make an appointment to see your GP and free up the emergency departments to deal with patients who need serious and more urgent medical help," said Mr Macaskill-Smith.

Tairawhiti’s Mr Green repeated the message saying the influx of visitors to Gisborne for summer holidays and the Rhythm & Vines Festival made it even more essential that locals were well prepared.

For more information:

KATHY McVEY

Communications Manager | Tairawhiti District Health

869-0500 ext 8115 | 021 223-7094 | www.tdh.org.nz

One more measles case confirmed in Tairawhiti

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health today continued to urge all people not already protected against measles to get immunisation immediately, following the confirmed diagnosis of a third case of measles in the district. Vaccination is free for anyone born after 1969.

Of the four suspected cases over the past weekend, just one case has proved positive for the virus. This case, a young adult, has been to several social events in the region and in contact with many people.

TDH Medical Officer of Health, Dr Geoffrey Cramp, said that as a result, people and students who are not immune had been excluded from work and from school. “This has a big impact on them especially over these busy summer days.”

Dr Cramp said it was very important that children are immunised, but it is also important that anyone younger than the age of 42 checks that they are immune. “Someone is only considered immune if they have had two documented MMRs so if there is any doubt an MMR should be given immediately and another one in a month’s time.”

“If you hoping to become pregnant, it is also very important to get the MMR if you are not already immune.” Pregnant women and babies are at high risk if exposed to someone with measles.

ENDS

Dowload the Measles Immunity FactSheet

For further information:

Dr Bruce Duncan or Kathy McVey

Medical Officer of Health Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District Health Tairawhiti District Health

06 869-0500 021 223-7094

Four new measles cases in Tairawhiti

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Doctors say Tairawhiti is in the second wave of a measles outbreak after four new probable cases were identified over the weekend.

TDH Medical Officer of Health, Dr Geoffrey Cramp, said immediate immunisation was still the best action for people wanting to avoid the serious illness.

“It is not too late to get yourselves and your children immunised,” said Dr Cramp. “You need to do it now, or you will get measles if you are not immune.”

Two small children from the Coast and two teenagers in Gisborne both presented with measles-like symptoms over the weekend. Test results due later this week are “very probable” to confirm the measles diagnosis. The four new cases come less than a fortnight after a boy at Gisborne Intermediate and a boy at Campion College were confirmed as having measles.

“Between them, these four new cases have been in contact with hundreds of people,” said Dr Cramp.

“They have had opportunity to spread measles throughout the district. Those most at risk are non-immunised people, babies, pregnant mothers and those with weakened immune systems. I cannot stress enough the importance of immediate immunisation.”

Tairawhiti District Health has established an Emergency Operations Centre to manage the situation and to make sure that those most at risk are protected. TDH will also ensure unimmunised people who have had contact with these cases stay away from work or school.

Dr Cramp again advised people showing symptoms of measles to phone their doctors prior to arrival, so arrangements could be made for them to be put into an isolated room. “This is very important - the sick person needs to stay outside the clinic, until staff are ready to take them to the isolated area. We all need to take responsibility to limit the spread of this horrible disease.

“We all need to protect our community. If you are unwell and think that you have the measles phone your GP, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice from a registered nurse. It is very important that you stay away from school and stay away from work.”

Visiting at Gisborne Hospital has been limited to prevent further spreading of measles.

Additional information about measles is available on the TDH website www.tdh.org.nz

For more information on immunisation, call Immunisation Advisory Centre on 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863) or go to www.immune.org.nz

ENDS

BACKGROUND

Measles is a serious and highly infectious viral disease that can lead to hospitalisation, serious complications or, in rare cases, death. Early symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and white spots inside the mouth. After three to five days a rash appears on the face and then moves down the body. About one in 10 cases of measles need to be admitted to hospital because of complications. In one in every 1000 cases the patient can die.

For more information contact Tairawhiti District Health:

Dr Geoff Cramp Kathy McVey

Medical Officer of health Communications Manager

06 869-0500 021 223-7094

HBL cases for change underway

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health Chief Executive, Jim Green, today told staff that the HBL“Cases for Change” in Finance, Procurement and Supply Chain and in Facilities Management and Support Services were likely to be released before Christmas.

Mr Green said the next step will be to receive feedback from staff and unions.

"After that we will build DHB by DHB business cases for the FPSC proposal and then DHBs will collectively make the final decision on implementation."

Health benefits lts (HBL) was established July 2010 to reduce costs and deliver savings in administrative, support and procurement services for the health sector.

For more information read About Health Benefits

Measles confirmed in Tairawhiti

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health yesterday confirmed two cases of measles in the district.

TDH Medical Office of Health, Dr Geoffrey Cramp, said confirmation by PCR test that two thirteen-year old boys definitely had measles meant that those who were not immunised were at extremely high risk of contracting the disease.

“If you or your children are not immunised, you should make an appointment to receive the vaccine immediately, or you will get measles” said Dr Camp.

Anyone who is in contact with a case of measles will not be permitted to go to school or work if they are not immunised.

Measles is a serious and highly infectious viral disease that can lead to hospitalisation, serious complications or, in rare cases, death.

Dr Cramp said: “The only way to stop catching this horrible infectious illness is to be immunised. Vaccinating children and adults means that our whole whanau and community, babies, pregnant mums, ladies hoping to have a baby, and people who have weak immune systems are all protected too. Let us all be wise, immunise.”

The MMR vaccination which protects against measles is free for anyone born after 1969. Dr Cramp said people showing symptoms of measles should phone their doctors prior to arriving, so they can be put into an isolated room.

ENDS

For more information contact Tairawhiti District Health:
Dr Geoff Cramp                                                                        Kathy McVey
Medical Officer of health                                                           Communications Manager
06 869-0500                                                                              021 223-7094

Second measles case diagnosed in Tairawhiti

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health today urged all people not already protected against measles to ensure they received immunisation immediately, following the diagnosis of a second case of measles in the district. Vaccination is free for anyone born after 1969.

“Children and adults who are not immune to measles should take this opportunity to get immunised now,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr Geoff Cramp.

“If you were born after 1969, have not had the MMR vaccine, and have not had measles… then you are at risk of contracting this serious illness.”

There are now two suspected cases of measles in Gisborne. The new case was diagnosed in general practice and notified to Public Health yesterday. Laboratory results to confirm the diagnoses are expected in the next 24 hours.

Both of those affected are thirteen year-old boys. The first attends Gisborne Intermediate and is much improved since he first became unwell over the weekend. The second boy attends Campion College and remains quite ill at home.

Members of the Tairawhiti Public Health team have excluded non-immunised class contacts of both boys for two weeks. “It’s very important these unimmunised children are isolated at home. If they have caught the disease we need to stop it spreading further in the community and schools,” said Dr Cramp.

“About one in 10 cases of measles need to be admitted to hospital because of complications. With measles you can become extremely ill. In one in every 1000 cases the patient can die.”

The only way to stop catching the measles is to get immunised.

Dr Cramp added that people showing symptoms of measles should phone their doctors prior to arriving, so that the general practice can be ready to put them into an isolated room, so measles is not spread to other people in the waiting area.

ENDS

BACKGROUND

What is measles?

Measles is a serious and highly infectious viral disease that can make people very sick and can lead to hospitalisation or, in rare cases, death.

It is spread from person to person through the air by breathing, sneezing or coughing. Just being in the same room as someone with measles can lead to infection if you are not immunised. One person with measles can pass on the disease to 13 other people who have not been immunised.

The early symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore red eyes and white spots inside the mouth. After 3 to 5 days a rash appears on the face and then moves down the body.

Up to one in 3 people with measles develops complications, including ear infections, pneumonia or diarrhoea. Acute encephalitis (brain inflammation) develops in 1 in 1000 cases, some of whom die and more than one third are left with permanent brain damage. Pregnant women who get measles are at risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and having a low birth weight baby.

One in 1000 people with measles may die and one in 10 cases will end up in hospital.

The best protection against measles is immunisation with a vaccine called MMR (measles, mumps and rubella).

Who is at risk of getting measles?

Anyone born after January 1969, who hasn’t had two doses of measles vaccine, or has not had measles already, is at risk of catching the disease. This includes babies, children, and adults.

Anyone with a weakened immune system (for example, people who are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer or people who take high-dose steroid medications) is at risk of measles infection even if they have had measles in the past or been immunised.

When measles is widespread a very small proportion of people who have been immunised may also get measles.

For more information contact Tairawhiti District Health:

Dr Geoff Cramp Kathy McVey

Medical Officer of Health Communications Manager

06 869-0500 021 223-7094

"Rena' oil spill

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

22 November 2011

Off the Bay of Plenty coastline, the ship 'Rena' has grounded on a reef and oil from the ship has leaked into the water and has come onto the shore. For public health advice on this situation, select from the following links:

Probable measles case diagnosed in Tairawhiti

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

A thirteen-year old boy was admitted to Gisborne Hospital on Saturday with a probable diagnosis of measles. Confirmation will occur later this week, said Tairawhiti District Health Medical Officer of Health, Dr Bruce Duncan.

“The affected boy is a pupil at Gisborne Intermediate School and all children in his class (room 12) who have not been immunised against measles will be instructed to stay at home for this week,” he added.

At this stage, the instruction does not apply to other classes at the school, though parents with non-immunised children should consider keeping their children at home for this week.

Measles is a serious infection for some children, requiring hospitalisation and intensive treatment. Most children having measles will be unwell for 5-7 days, and most will recover without long-term effects. However, about a third can develop hearing problems.

Immunisation is the only way of preventing infection for this significant illness and for this reason Tairawhiti District Health advises full immunisation against measles and other diseases.

ENDS

For further information:

Dr Bruce Duncan or Kathy McVey

Medical Officer of Health Communications Manager

Tairawhiti District Health Tairawhiti District Health

06 869-0500 021 223-7094

HEHA Maori Community Action (Nga Kaupapa a-Iwi) Fund - now accepting applications

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Applications are now open for organisations seeking funding from the HEHA Maori Community Action (Nga Kaupapa a-Iwi) Fund.

Applications are due at Te Puna Waiora, Tairawhiti District Health by 5pm, 25 November 2011.

The purpose of this fund is to enable, assist and support Maori communities to develop, implement and evaluate community action projects and initiatives that:

Are consistent with the overall HEHA strategy
Embrace Maori concepts and models of Health and Wellbeing
Demonstrate a collaborative community approach to an identified need or issue
Are consistent with the Ministry of Health Food and Nutrition Guidelines
Incorporate Maori traditional activities and practices
Are innovative and creative and reflect an “outside the square” approach
Include opportunities for workforce development to increase the capacity and capability of Maori to undertake HEHA-related activities and projects.

The maximum amount of any grant will be $10,000 plus GST (if applicable).

For further details about the HEHA Maori Community Action (Nga Kaupapa a-Iwi) Fund, download the Information Sheet (PDF).

To make an application, download the Application Form.

Marine biotoxin alerts

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +1300

4 November 2011

There are currently no marine biotoxin alerts in effect for the Tairawhiti district.

In the event of a marine biotoxin alert, Tairawhiti District Health will alert all networks (including media and marae contacts) and provide appropriate advice.

For information about marine biotoxin alerts across New Zealand please visit the MAF (Food Safety) consumer website.

The Bay of Plenty DHB website has regular updates about the Rena event as well as information specifically related to seafood.

Post graduate Nursing Scholarships on offer for next year

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health has announced scholarship opportunities for nurses in Tairawhiti. The organisation distributes Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ) Post Graduate Nursing Education funding by way of Scholarships to individual nurses.

These scholarships are limited in number and are contestable by all nurses (hospital, community, and non-governmental sectors) across the Tairawhiti region.

TDH's acting Director of Nursing said the course applying nurses chose to study needed to:

- Lead to a post graduate Certificate; a post graduate Diploma or a Masters, and

- Integrate theory and clinical practice, and

- Acknowledge the cultural characteristics of New Zealand, and

- Be accredited and NCNZ approved

In 2012, HWNZ will also be offering support funding to Maori and Pacific Island applicants to enhance the likelihood of Māori and Pacific trainees successfully completing HWNZ funded training programmes. This funding is open to nurses who are an eligible trainee enrolled in a HWNZ funded training programme AND who have whakapapa and cultural links to whānau, hapu and iwi OR who are of Pacific Island origins and have cultural links to the Pacific Islands.

Applications close 4pm, Monday, 31 October 2011 and should be sent by email to robyn.dymock@tdh.org.nz

For more information - read the Information Sheet here. Or download an Application Form here.

Further information about Tairawhiti Midwifery and Nursing Education is available at www.taimned.co.nz

Collaborative approach lifts local cervical screening rates

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Almost 500 local women have been for their cervical smear test in the past 10 weeks, in a unique, collaborative approach designed to lift screening rates across the district.

Working alongside Ngati Porou Hauora, the National Cervical Screening Programme (Tairawhiti) secured one-off funding from the National Screening Unit to increase the screening rates of priority women within the Tairawhiti district.

East Coast Clinical Nurse Team Leader, Cheryl Johnson, and Acting Whanau Ora Manager, Nancy Lofts, realized some of their wahine (women) would probably feel more comfortable having their smear completed by 'a neutral' smear taker.

To this end they designed a roster that allowed their regular staff to move to other clinics and also included weekend and evening smear clinics.

”This was a huge undertaking,” said Ms Johnson, “considering we still had to fulfil our normal nursing obligations at our own Health Centres. But it was just so important to encourage women to feel comfortable enough to have the test and to allow them to come into the clinics at times that suited them.”

Every woman who went to the clinic got a chance to win a prize too. The winner of this prize, Iwi Harrison, said she attended the clinic because, “I got a phone call saying my smear test was overdue. When I was phoned about my prize I thought there had been a mishap with my smear as I had completely forgotten about the competition. I was really stoked with my prize and thought it was lovely”.

After much hard work, the local teams are proud of their efforts – successful screening of 486 women in a period of 10 weeks. Feedback from many of these women was that having a positive screening experience is the key to empowering them to return for regular smear tests.

Because of this great success Ngati Porou Hauora has decided to continue offering their women incentives to be screened over the months of September through to the end of December.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

More than 1000 women were identified as either being overdue or as never having had a smear test. In order to identify this group, the Ngati Porou Hauora team completed an audit of all eligible women enrolled with their organisation. The NCSP team then matched this data against screening information held on the National Cervical Screening register.

Ninety-five percent of the women identified were Maori. As at December 2010, the national coverage rates for Maori women was 55.4%, for Asian women 51.7% and for Pacific Island women 60.9% and European women is 86.5%. Nationally the target for all ethnic groups is 75%, therefore it was clearly evident where the efforts of the NCSP (Tairawhiti) needed to be focussed.

The NCSP (Tairawhiti) celebrate “September Cervical Screening month” with the knowledge that working with and alongside GP’s is the key to reducing the incidence of cervical cancer and - more importantly - reducing health inequalities.

ENDS

For further information please contact

Kathy McVey, Communications Manager, Tairawhiti District Health

06 867-0500 ext 8115 or 021 233 7094

Kathy.McVey@tdh.org.nz

Hauora Maori Scholarships on offer for 2012

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Tairawhiti District Health in partnership with Health Workforce New Zealand (NWNZ) is once again offering scholarships to Māori health workers who do not have a professional qualification but wish to pursue training in the health and disability sector.

The scholarship assists with funding for course registration and travel for level 3 – 7 programmes excluding degrees.

This training will support the non-regulated workforce to develop formal competencies in their current roles, and develop their potential to move into other health sector roles as relevant.

The deadline for applications is 31 October 2011.

To find out more please read the information booklet and 2012 application form.

HWNZ Hauora Mãori Scholarship application forms are also available from Nursing & Quality Services, Ward 10, Gisborne Hospital.

Alternatively, please contact: Jenny Simson, tel: 06 869 0500 ext 8558, email: Jenny.simson@tdh.org.nz or Private Bag 7001, GISBORNE.

Transfer of Waikohu Primary Care Services

Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Negotiations between Tairawhiti District Health, Turanga Health and the Midlands Health Network Trust to transfer the Waikohu primary care services currently provided by TDH to Turanga Health are now complete. The transfer of the service will go ahead 1 July 2011.

Turanga Health will take over all primary care services currently provided by TDH in Waikohu, including outpost clinics at Matawai, Whatatutu and Patutahi as well as rural nursing services in the wider Western Rural area.

Community meetings are planned at Te Karaka, Whatatutu, Matawai and Patutahi in early June to allow community members and affected patients the opportunity to meet the new providers and address any queries.

Current patients are advised that their clinical records will transfer to the new provider and retain their integrity.

Pene Brown, Chairman, Turanga Health welcomes the opportunity to provide the Western rural communities with more of their primary health care services, “We have worked in these communities for a number of years and with the new services we look to build on the confidence and trust we have built up over those years.”

All existing staff will be given the opportunity to transfer to the new provider.

Helene Carbonatto, Group Manager Planning, Funding and Population Health said “I am delighted that Turanga Health will be providing these services for the Waikohu community. They are highly committed to providing excellent services to the Western rural population, and I know they will work hard to ensure the Western rural community has a primary health service to be proud of. She also noted that Turanga Health, the Midlands Health Network Trust and TDH have been working closely together for the last six months to ensure a smooth transition for staff and patients.

She also wanted to thank the nursing and administrative staff at Waikohu for their patience in this process, noting it had been an unsettling period in the last few months with the proposed transfer.

TDH consistently improving Health Target performance

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Tairawhiti District Health has welcomed today’s release of its performance against the six national Health Targets.

Chief Executive Jim Green says TDH has improved performance across most areas and is heading towards the end of the year with confidence in meeting the targets.

Three targets focus on hospital performance:

Shorter stays in Emergency Departments
Improved access to Elective Surgery, and
Shorter waits for Cancer Treatment Radiotherapy.

The other three targets focus on preventive measures:

Increased Immunisation
Better Help for Smokers to Quit, and
Better Diabetes and Cardiovascular Services.

Tairawhiti District Health ranked eighth DHB in the country for Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments at 95%. The ED continues to meet this target which is a good indicator of how all staff are working across the hospital to ensure people get the care they require in a timely fashion.

While performance for Improved Access to Elective Surgery remained static at 97% completion, planning is fully in place to achieve 100% by the end of June.

TDH was placed first with 15 other DHBs for Shorter Waits for Cancer Treatment. This is very encouraging given this is the first quarter the new four week target has been in place.

TDH staff have dramatically improved results for Better Help for Smokers to Quit placing 9th at 78% which showed an increase of 18% on last quarter. Results since that time have shown even more improvement owing to staff determination to see smokers get the benefit of another opportunity to be assisted to quit smoking.

Increased Immunisation placed 17th on 85%. This was an improvement on the last quarter result and is an indication of the work our Tairawhiti Immunisation Coordinatio group and the people out in the community providing the immunisations are doing to make sure every child in Tairawhiti has the benefits immunisation brings.

However performance on Better Diabetes and Cardiovascular Services has not improved and Tairawhiti placed 19th on 69%. Closer work between TDH and our two PHOs in the district working through their networks of GPs and practices is needed to lift this vital measure.

TDH Board Chair Mr David Scott said that the results were a good improvement giving us an overall percentage of 87.2%. This performance is very encouraging for people within the health workforce in Tairawhiti. To see gains of this nature with all that they mean for the health of our community is satisfying for the Board of TDH. We look forward to ending the year with further improvements in achieving these important areas of focus for health services.

CCN Cancer Services Directory ‘goes live’

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

A cancer services directory has been developed to give cancer patients, carers, family and whanau, and health professionals, access to services and support within the Central Cancer Network (CCN) region, www.centralcancernetwork.org.nz. This site is free to access.

The directory covers eight District Health Board areas in the CCN region; Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay, Wairarapa, Hutt Valley, Capital & Coast, MidCentral, Whanganui and Taranaki.

The function of the directory allows users to search for services and support in any of these districts as well as national organisations.

Jenny Cawston, Population Screening Manager, and Chair of the Hawkes Bay Local Cancer Network says "CCN is to be congratulated for setting up the cancer services directory. Now people, those affected by cancer and their families, as well as health professionals, will be able to find out what services are available to them by accessing the directory on the internet".

Health professionals can use the site to inform patients and families about cancer help and support that is available as well as being able to list their own services.

Jo Anson, Network Manager, CCN says “the launch of the Hutt Valley, Capital & Coast, Wairarapa paper-based cancer services directory in August 2010 was the ideal platform to inform the development of the wider web-based directory. The team on the paper-based project identified the type of services and supports that could help make the cancer pathway an easier road to travel”.

The web-site also lists the 0800 Cancer information helpline, run by the Cancer Society. This allows users to see that one-to-one guidance and assistance is a phone call away if needed.

The ability to electronically up-date listings on the site will ensure users are kept informed with the most current services and support.

“Don’t wait to call for support until you are absolutely exhausted. There are people in your community who can help, who can lighten your load immeasurably. Use this tool to find them” Bob Fox, Consumer Representative.

An electronic listing form is available from the CCN website: www.centralcancernetwork.org.nz.

Plenty on Across the Midland DHBs to Celebrate Midwives’ and Nurses’ Days

Thu, 05 May 2011 00:00:00 +1200

Events to recognise the professional practice of nurses and midwives across the Midland DHBs will be held as part of celebrations for International Midwives’ Day and International Nurses’ Day.

The International Day of the Midwife on Thursday 5 May is being celebrated in the Lakes DHB area this year, with a walk that is the start of the Road to Durban, where the International Confederation of Midwives is holding its triennial conference this year. The money raised from registrations for the late afternoon walk at the Blue Lake, near Rotorua, will be divided between midwives in Japan and Canterbury.

The Taranaki Branch of the New Zealand College of Midwives will be walking from Nobbs line to the Port end of the walkway on 5 May.

Midwife Belinda Chapman said the walks will merge as a global event where midwives around the world will be advocating to improve maternal and newborn health in our communities and countries, as well as for women far away.

The Taranaki walk starts at 10.30am, with a celebratory lunch to follow. A gold coin donation will be collected on the walk which will be allocated to ICM safe motherhood projects.

Midwives in the Waikato DHB area are breakfasting at a café at the Hamilton Lake Domain on Thursday 5 May, followed by a walk around the lake.

In Tairawhiti DHB, nurses and midwives are holding a combined breakfast on 12^h May, and the midwives are having a fun day on 13 May, which involves a team adventure challenge. There will also be displays.

Bay of Plenty nurses will be going red and black on May 12 as they recognise Canterbury nurses on International Nurses’ Day

Director of Nursing at Bay of Plenty DHB, Julie Robinson said, “that as this year’s theme for International Nurses Day is Bridging the Gap – Equity and Access, it seemed appropriate to recognise the contribution Canterbury nurses have made to ensuring access to services for their community following the earthquakes that have devastated not only the hospitals but also the Canterbury region.”

Nurses in the Bay are being encouraged to wear red and black dress, as a way of demonstrating support for the Canterbury nurses. Donations to a fund for Christchurch nurses will also be collected on the day.

Also on May 12, those Bay of Plenty nurses who have completed their Masters of Nursing will be celebrated with morning tea in Whakatane Hospital, and afternoon tea in Tauranga Hospital.

Displays are planned for the entrance to the Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals to celebrate and highlight the work of senior nurses who contribute to service equity and access.

At Waikato DHB, poster displays and presentations for the professional groupings will be held on Thursday 12 May.

In Lakes DHB, there has been a strong community nursing response to the DHB nursing awards to recognise outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery, launched in 2010.

Nurses and midwives working in primary care and the community form a strong number of the entries. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at Rotorua Hospital on Wednesday 11 May.

New Zealand’s Largest Health Sector Job Board

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300

A one-stop-shop for jobs in the health sector.

That’s the vision for a project underway to develop New Zealand’s most comprehensive health job site. People looking for jobs in health can now search and apply online at a new health sector job portal.

Kiwihealthjobs.com provides details of clinical and non-clinical job vacancies for people starting their careers in health or seeking further opportunities.

“This is a first for the sector and has grown out of a real need to bring NZ health job opportunities together under one roof. This will make it easy for job seekers to find that ideal health job , they just have to visit Kiwihealthjobs.com ” says Gavin Woolley, GM Human Resources Taranaki DHB and project lead for the portal.

All job vacancies at the 20 DHBs and the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) will be advertised on the central job board. Job seekers can:

search for vacancies at one central point;
access employer and local information;
find out about professional registration in New Zealand;
register for job alerts and share roles with friends;
apply directly to employers when the right job comes along. Clicking on the link takes job seekers directly to the employer’s website.

The 20 DHBs and NZBS national General Managers HR group developed the website to bring together information currently posted on a wide range of job websites. Over time, the portal will become the main point of advertising for DHBs and the NZBS, who will also be able to communicate directly with job seekers in priority workforce groups through the central site.

“There are so many interesting and varied jobs and careers in the NZ health sector” said Prof Gregor Coster, Chair of DHB Chairs.

“It is fantastic seeing them advertised in the one, easy to use website. This is great for both applicants, health recruiters and the public health system.”

The job portal is live from28 March 2011. Visit www.kiwihealthjobs.com, bookmark it, tell all your friends and join us on Facebook and Twitter.

To find out more contact kiwihealthjobs@healthcareers.org.nz.

The Productive Operating Theatre programme launched at TDH

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +1300

Tairawhiti District Health has launched a new programme aimed at improving patient experience and outcome.

TDH is one of seven DHBs chosen by the Ministry of Health to pilot The Productive Operating Theatre programme, based on a similar initiative run by the National Health Service in the United Kingdom.

Six TDH staff attended training with experts from the UK in August 2010 and since that time a number of staff involved in the “theatre journey” have met for two workshops to confirm their vision for the project and commence working on initiatives.

Anaesthetist and project leader Dr Angela Freschini said TDH, in joining the programme, has made a commitment to improving patient’s experience and outcome through increasing safety and reliability of care, improving value and efficiency and optimising team performance and staff wellbeing.

Results from the NHS programme suggested productivity improvements could be made.

Dr Freschini said in the UK, theatre staff reported fewer cancelled operations, reduction in delays, faster turnaround between each operation, and significant improvement in safety.

“This approach will help us provide even more operations with the same resources while improving outcomes for patients,” she said.