From the Chair
It’s hard to believe we are
already in the middle of March.
The weather has been absolutely marvellous for so long.
Lovely for those of us who are
able to enjoy the beaches and
other activities that living in our
beautiful Bay of Plenty enables
us to do.
2013 has already been a busy
year with a number of new
initiatives at the Bay of Plenty
District Health Board. In January
the Minister of Health opened
the new stroke unit for Bay of
Plenty residents. While this is
based at Tauranga Hospital it is
for use by everyone across the
Bay. Stroke is the third leading
cause of death and is a major
contributor to long-term adult
disability. Last year about 300
Bay of Plenty residents suffered
from a stroke and now they will
benefit immensely from this
new unit. There is more about
the Stroke Unit further in this
publication.
We have just had the results
from the October to December
2012 Health Targets and thanks
to our health professionals and
our community, the Bay of
Plenty District Health Board is
once again improving against
each of the Minister’s Targets.
For example, 67% of those in the
target group have had their cardiovascular risk assessed. This is
an assessment that doesn’t take
a lot of time to complete, but is
well worth the time it takes to
do. Another area it is good to see
improvement in is the immunisation of eight month old babies
with 84% of our babies having
received all their immunisation.
Well done to all of you who
ensure your babies get their immunisations.
Another initiative that will really
benefit many of our residents is
the introduction of the two new
resident cancer nurse co-ordinator positions. Carolyn Gent
and Lorraine Hammersley have
taken up these roles and will act
as a single point of contact for
patients and their families so
they no longer have to deal with
multiple people from different parts of the health services.
Lorraine will work across both
Tauranga and Whakatane
Hospitals. While one nurse will
focus on patients diagnosed
with lung cancer, the other will
cover patients diagnosed with
less common cancers. I know
for everyone who has cancer
these two nurses will make such
a difference for you and your
whanau/families.
2013 will continue to be a busy
year, and here’s hoping there
will be rain soon for the agriculture sector.
Sally Webb
Chair, Bay of Plenty
District Health Board
Specialist library helps
cancer sufferers
A new library has been set up at
the Project Hope Cancer Centre
in Whakatane thanks to funding
from the Mona Lickfold Memorial Trust.
Bay of Plenty District Health
Board Librarian Carol Charters says the library provides a
comfortable and attractive space
to browse a wide-range of books
and pamphlets.
“There is also a computer to
access online information
from providers like the Cancer
Society,” she says. “Information
written by specialists for cancer
sufferers can often explain
complex disease processes, help
to avoid misunderstandings and
enhance physical and emotional
well-being. This complements
the information given by the
oncologist and specialist nurse
during consultation and treatment.”
Situated within the main reception area of the centre, the
library can be used by patients,
their families and supporters. It
contains books which look at
specific cancers, which can be
helpful to refresh information
given by a clinician, reinforce
what is already known or provide new information.
an understanding of grief in
adults and children, relaxation
and stress reduction and spirituality.
“There are also books which
explore ways to cope with symptoms, as well as boosting your
physical and emotional strength
with good diet and nutrition and
getting a relaxing night’s sleep,”
says Carol.
The library is open at the same
times as the cancer centre and
books can be borrowed. See the
receptionist if you require assistance.
Other subjects covered include
The new Mona Lickfold Memorial Library at the Project Hope Cancer Centre contains
books and pamphlets to help cancer patients and their friends and family.
Staff at Ngati Awa Social and Health services are encouraging parents to get their
child’s sore throat checked to help prevent rheumatic fever. From left: TeReinga Kingi
Chase from Ngati Awa Social and Health services, National Rheumatic Fever Co-ordinator Helen Herbert and Cara Marshall from Ngati Awa Social and Health services.
Sore throats matter
- get them checked
every time
Parents and families across the
Eastern Bay are being reminded to
take their children to the local health
centre or GP if they have a sore
throat. If the child attends a school
with a throat swabbing programme,
then he or she can see the community
health worker at the school during
the school term.
“An untreated sore throat can lead
to rheumatic fever, which can cause
permanent damage to the heart,” says
Cara Marshall from Ngati Awa Social
and Health services. “A child who
has been diagnosed with rheumatic
fever needs to have monthly penicillin injections and medical treatment
for years to come, but rheumatic
fever is preventable.”
If a child complains of a sore throat,
make sure they are checked. If a
‘strep throat’ is diagnosed the doc-
tor will usually prescribe a 10 day
course of antibiotics. It is important
to complete the whole 10 day course
to prevent rheumatic fever from
developing.
Ngati Awa Social and Health services
provides a free clinic twice a week
where parents in the Whakatane area
can take their child, aged 5-14 years,
for a simple throat swab. There is
also the opportunity to swab whanau
at home.
The clinics run on Tuesdays between 10am-11am and Wednesdays
between 3pm-4pm at Te Runanga o
Ngati Awa, Louvain House in Louvain Street. For more information,
contact either Cara Marshall or Te
Reinga Kingi Chase on
07 306 0096 or 027 255 0315.
From the
CEO
Phil Cammish,
CEO, Bay of
Plenty District
Health Board
This edition of Health Matters gives
an indication of the breadth of the
activities the Bay of Plenty District
Health Board is engaged in: responsibilities from encouraging schools to
be healthy schools, helping patients
rescued by chopper and providing the
public with warnings about the locations of contaminated shellfish.
It is the DHB’s vision, to create and
sustain healthy thriving communities.
To do this we need to encourage all
the communities that make up the
Bay of Plenty to ensure that ours is a
healthy population.
Whakatane
resident
experiences
rescue
chopper first
hand
“We’d hear the wind racing down
the river and think ‘Chopper!’ and
get all excited, until we realised
it was just the wind,” recalls
Ian Blackwood who was at the
bottom of a cliff with his injured
son waiting for the TrustPower
TECT Rescue Helicopter.
Whakatane teenager, Ryan
Blackwood, had misjudged his
speed while taking a corner on a
narrow bend of the Motutu track
near Opotiki, while mountain
biking with family and friends.
Bailing from his bike Ryan
careered down a five meter bank,
breaking his pelvis as he came
to a crashing halt on the riverbed
below.
With no cellphone coverage,
friends rode to the nearest house
and dialled 111.
Gathering information about
the accident and compromising
location, the Communication
Centre paged the Tauranga
based TrustPower TECT Rescue
Helicopter and pilot Liam
Brettkelly immediately responded
to the callout.
“When the initial call came
through we thought it may be
a winch mission,” explained
Brettkelly, “given the patient’s
location.”
Ian Blackwood remarks, “I was
thinking, if the rescue helicopter
can’t get in this narrow space,
how will I get him out of here?
Sending for a stretcher and
carrying him out would have
taken around three hours.”
To stay healthy, we should not only
avoid doing the things that could
harm us, but also actively prepare
ourselves to avoid illness. So in this
edition of Health Matters I would
encourage you to read the article
about influenza and remind you that
now is the best time to get your flu
vaccination. By having the flu vaccination you will help yourself stay
healthy when the winter flu season
hits. Some people are eligible for free
vaccinations. The details are included
in the story in this edition of Health
Matters.
PLEASE
RETURN
any loaned hospital
equipment to
Whakatane
Hospital’s main
reception.
OPEN DAY
SUNDAY 17 MARCH
10AM - 2PM
IAN PAIN MEMORIAL HANGAR, TAURANGA HOSPITAL
The rescue helicopter, which
annually fundraises 50% of its
operational costs through the
local community, was able to land
close to Ryan before flying him
directly to Tauranga Hospital.
“Hearing the chopper, it was
just.... YES!” exclaimed a grateful
father and son in unison. “We are
very appreciative of your service,
that’s for sure.”
www.rescue.org.nz
Elder abuse
- it happens here
During 2012 the Elder Abuse
& Neglect Prevention Service
received over 140 referrals. Coordinator Jane Broughton says it
can be a difficult subject to talk
about, but we can’t ignore that it’s
a problem in our community.
“Referrals have increased by a
third from 2011,” she says.
Jane is based at Age Concern in
Tauranga and says referrals come
from a variety of sources.
“We get referrals from individuals, family members, carers, GPs,
DHB staff, rest home staff and
concerned neighbours,” she says.
“Issues may involve physical,
financial, psychological abuse and
neglect or self-neglect.”
For the last five years Age
Concern has provided the Bay of
Plenty community with a free and
confidential service to anyone who
has concerns for an older person.
This service works with a large
advisory group including members of the Bay of Plenty District
Health Board, community groups
including Alzheimers Society,
Maori providers and mental health
services working alongside the police, lawyers and local banks. The
group meets regularly to discuss
local concerns and raise awareness
in the Bay of Plenty. They also
provide regular education throughout the community.
“We offer advocacy, information
and support to ensure our clients’
rights are respected,” says Jane.
If you have any concerns about an
older person please contact Jane
at Age Concern Tauranga on 07
578 2856. Look out for advertised
community meetings and public
events throughout the year to
learn more. If you have a group
or organisation that would like
training on Elder Abuse & Neglect
Prevention please contact Andrea
Billingsley at Age Concern on 07
578 2541.
Jane says their clients’ safety is
paramount.
Shellfish warning
continues
The health warning issued
in August 2012 by the
Medical Officer of Health
advising the public not
to collect or eat shellfish
from parts of the Bay of
Plenty coastline remains
in place.
Te Kura o Te Paroa celebrates becoming a Health Promoting School.
Healthy school
wins award
Te Kura o Te Paroa has become the
first school in the Eastern Bay of
Plenty to achieve Bronze Standard
Accreditation as part of the Health
Promoting Schools programme.
The enthusiasm and progress
shown by the school in areas such
as developing school gardens,
creating and sustaining physical
activity opportunities, improving
student nutrition and sun safety
practices all contributed towards
this achievement.
wellbeing of the Te Kura o Te Paroa
community.
“We have always endeavoured to
keep the Board of Trustees, whanau,
students and staff regularly involved
and updated,” says teacher and
Health Promoting Schools Leader
of Te Kura o Te Paroa, Helen Kingi.
“This has been vital to our success
as a Health Promoting School.”
Health Promoting Schools is a
programme run by Toi Te Ora –
Public Health Service to improve
A small group of dedicated students, the health and wellbeing of
staff and whānau known as ‘Paroa
participating school communities
Kura Oranga’ have undertaken
in the Bay of Plenty. It does this by
much of the work towards
using a Whole School Approach to
accreditation.
identify the health and wellbeing
issues that may create barriers to
The accreditation certificate was
learning and achievement, and
presented to the school at a special
develops strategies and actions that
school assembly in recognition of
address these.
their commitment to the health and
Since August, high levels
of paralytic shellfish
poisoning toxin have been
found in shellfish along
a significant stretch of
coastline. A health warning is therefore in place
advising against the collection of shellfish from
Tairua on the east coast of
the Coromandel Peninsula, south to Waihi Beach
and along the Bay of
Plenty coast to Whakatane
Heads in the Eastern Bay
of Plenty. The warning includes Tairua Harbour as
well as Tauranga Harbour,
Maketu and Waihi estuaries, Matakana and Motiti
islands, and all other inshore islands along this
coastline.
“Ongoing monitoring
confirms continuing high
levels of paralytic shellfish
poison in shellfish along
this coast. People should
avoid collecting or eating
shellfish from the affected
area,” says Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jim
Miller.
The health warning
applies to all bi-valve
shellfish including mussels, pipi, tuatua, cockles,
oysters, scallops as well
as catseyes and kina (sea
urchin). Shellfish in the affected area should not be
taken or consumed. Paua,
crayfish and crabs can still
be taken but as always,
the gut should be removed
before cooking.
Consumption of shellfish
affected by the paralytic
shellfish toxin can cause
numbness and tingling
around the mouth, face,
hands and feet; difficulty
swallowing or breathing;
dizziness; double vision; and in severe cases,
paralysis and respiratory
failure. These symptoms can start as soon
as 1-2 hours after eating
toxic shellfish and usually
within 12 hours. Anyone
suffering illness after eating shellfish should seek
urgent medical attention.
For up to date information on health warnings in
Bay of Plenty go to www.
ttophs.govt.nz and click
on health warnings, or call
0800 221 555 and select
option six to speak to the
on-call Health Protection
Officer.
Stroke unit opens at
Tauranga Hospital
A dedicated stroke unit opened at Tauranga Hospital in January and is led by
Consultant Physician for Older People
Dr Elizabeth Spellacy.
“Much preparatory work has been done
in recent years to develop the unit,”
she says. “Pulling it all together into
one acute unit allows the full clinical
benefit for patients – from the onset of
the stroke and treatment in hospital,
through to ongoing neuro-rehabilitation
to reduce the impact of the stroke. This
extends through to reintegration into as
normal a life as is achievable for that
person, with the best possible prevention of further attacks.”
Health Minister Tony Ryall welcomed
the news.
“This is great news for the 300 Bay
of Plenty residents who suffer from
a stroke each year,” says Mr Ryall.
“Research shows a dedicated stroke
unit prevents many people from having
a more severe stroke and significantly
improves a patient’s recovery after a
stroke.”
Lead Physician for Stroke at Tauranga
Hospital Professor Mohan DattaChaudhuri says people need to know
what signs to look out for.
“Has their face fallen on one side? Can
they smile? Can they raise both arms
and keep them there? Is their speech
abnormal? If people see any single one
of these signs it is vital they call 111
immediately.”
Simply explained, a stroke is a ‘brain
attack’. It’s basically the same thing as
a heart attack, only the problem is in the
blood vessels to the brain not the heart.
Early assessment and specialist care can
ensure the best outcome for patients.
Stroke is New Zealand’s third leading
cause of death - after heart disease and
all cancers - and is a major cause of
long term adult disability. It is largely
preventable, however on average 21
New Zealanders suffer from a stroke
each day – two thirds of strokes occur
in people over 65 and one third are
fatal.
Now is the best time
for flu vaccination
Bay of Plenty residents are being urged to get
their annual influenza vaccination now, before the
disease enters the community.
2005. The next highest group were children under
four years old. A total of 64 children died in the US
from influenza-associated illness this season.”
The vaccine has arrived in surgeries and the National Influenza Specialist Group (NISG) advises
that now is the best time to be vaccinated.
The New Zealand vaccines for 2013 cover the
virus strains causing problems in the Northern
Hemisphere and most likely to affect us this year.
“It can take up to two weeks from vaccination to
develop immunity and influenza is on its way,”
says NISG spokesperson and virologist, Dr Lance
Jennings. “We particularly need to protect our
elderly and very young patients from this serious
disease.”
Influenza vaccination is free from a GP or nurse
for New Zealanders at high risk of complications
– pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and
children and adults under 65 years of age with
long-term health conditions such as heart disease,
stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including
asthma), kidney disease and most cancers.
He says the A(H3N2) influenza virus, in particular,
struck hard in the Northern Hemisphere winter.
“The disease spread quickly, and was particularly
severe for the elderly and those with an ongoing
medical condition. People 65 and over accounted
for more than half of all reported influenza-associated hospitalisations in the United States this
winter – the highest number since records began in
Vaccination is available, for a small charge, for
healthy adults and children six months and over at
surgeries and some pharmacies. Many employers
provide free vaccination for their employees.
The free vaccination season will end on July 31,
2013.
Whakatane resident Brooke Rangi (supported by partner Terry Stilgoe) is 30 weeks
pregnant and decided to get the flu jab to protect her unborn baby. The flu vaccine is
free for pregnant women.
As well as getting a flu vaccination, you may protect yourself and your
family/whanau from flu if you:
•
•
•
•
wash and dry your hands often
stay away from people who are sick
stay away from work or school if you’re unwell
cover your coughs and sneezes.
For more information go to www.fightflu.co.nz or www.health.govt.nz or
call 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).