Earthquake Update 24 - Canterbury District Health Board

Friday, 11 March 2011, 9:08 am
Press Release: Canterbury District Health Board

Thursday March 10, 2011 - 6pm

Earthquake Update 24 - Canterbury District Health Board

This link will take you to important health information.
http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/communications/earthquake/documents/Important%20
Health%20Information.pdf or go to our homepage www.cdhb.govt.nz to
check previous Earthquake Updates or you can follow us on
www.facebook.com

Earthquake Stress

The CDHB Anxiety Disorders Unit has put together some practical tips
about coping with earthquake stress

We have now experienced two major earthquakes and are continuing to
experience ongoing aftershocks, which have had significant consequences
for many people. Following such immensely upsetting events, people
understandably feel distressed. More information is available at
http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/

It is important to understand:

* This distress can last days or weeks.

* Allowing enough time to heal physically and mentally is
important to recovery.

* Support from friends and family helps with recovery.

* Some people find it helpful to talk about what has happened to
them, whereas others prefer not to discuss it.

* Either strategy is fine, provided you feel able to choose what
you do.

Looking after ourselves

It's normal to be feeling very stressed at the moment. Everyone is
affected in different ways. Some of us may feel very anxious or low in
spirits, or cry easily. Some of us may feel it's hard to function.
Don't just try to 'tough it out'. If you are concerned about yourself or
a family member, please talk to someone in your general practice team.
They can call on a wide range of mental health and counselling services,
and more counsellors are being brought in to help.

Christchurch residents need to continue to boil or treat drinking water,
despite chlorination

Despite actions being taken to repair Christchurch's drinking water
supply, Christchurch residents still need to boil or treat all water
used for drinking, brushing teeth or in food preparation. The
Christchurch City Council is working to make Christchurch's water supply
safe to drink, including repairing infrastructure and chlorinating
supply to parts of the city where there is a high risk of contaminated
water.

At the same time, Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is assisting
the City Council to undertake an extensive water testing programme in
order to deem the supply safe to drink. "All the actions being taken to
repair our water supply and make it safe to drink take time to take
effect," Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health says.

"For example, chlorine takes some time to diffuse through the system and
get to a level where it has killed all the bugs. Just because you can
smell it or taste it, doesn't mean the water is safe to drink without
boiling."

At this stage, it is expected people will need to continue to boil or
treat water for at least another two weeks. The City Council will advise
residents when they no longer need to boil water.

How to boil or treat water

Bringing water to the boil is sufficient to kill bugs - water does not
need to be boiled for a specific number of minutes. If you cannot boil
water, treat it by adding 1 teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres
of water and leave for 30 minutes.

Water testing programme

Testing of Christchurch's water supply for contamination or adequate
levels of chlorine is a crucial step in ensuring tap water is safe for
people to drink. Water testers are visiting homes across the city to
test water. These homes have been selected because they are in a good
position to provide a sample representative of specific suburbs, or
simply because an outside tap is easy to access.

Chosen homes are not being tested because there is a greater risk of
contamination of their water supply. The purpose of the testing is to
understand if there is any contamination in the community water supply,
not to test individual homes.

Individual results will not be provided and people still need to boil or
treat drinking water even after their supply has been tested.

Water supply in schools and early learning centres

Schools are required to ensure their staff and students have access to
adequate supplies of safe drinking water before re-opening.

Schools can supply bottled water sufficient to meet all drinking water
needs of staff and students. Alternatively, they can ask staff and
students to bring their own drinking water, but are still required to
hold a back up supply on site.

Drinking water fountains must be disconnected or made inaccessible until
the boil water notice has been lifted. Also, no food preparation or
home economics classes can take place at schools until the boil water
notice lifted.

Schools on their own water supply

There are a small number of schools in Christchurch that have their own
wells to supply water. These need to be tested for three days and
cleared as safe to drink before schools are able to revert to using
these for drinking water.

Important message to all Nurses and Midwives in the Canterbury and West
Coast Region

In light of the recent earthquake and the ongoing redeployment of staff
during this national state of emergency, Nursing Council of New Zealand
and Midwifery Council of New Zealand have been assisting the Canterbury
and West Coast region staff and we wish to communicate the following:

Enrolled Nurse Transition programme

All Enrolled Nurses trained prior to 2000 who were preparing to be
transitioned into the new scope have been given a further 6 month
extension to this process until December 2011. This applies to all ENs
within the Canterbury and West Coast regions. For information regarding
those trained after 2000, please refer to CPIT's website.

Nursing Council Audit

Nursing Council has removed all Canterbury region nurses from the audit
pool for this round of recertification. This most likely will continue
to the end of the year in light of the ongoing impact from the
earthquake. Therefore, no nurse in Canterbury will be required to
undergo the normal audit process by Council.

Midwifery Council

Any midwives who have questions regarding audit processes or any other
queries, can contact the Secretariat at the Midwifery Council to discuss
their situation.

Portfolios due for submission

All nurses and midwives who have portfolios currently due for submission
for Nursing Professional Development and Recognition Programme (PDRP) or
Midwifery Quality and Leadership Programme (QLP) will be given an
automatic 6 month extension to their submission dates.

Interim year validation

All nurses due for their PDRP interim year validation will be given a 6
month extension to their interim year validation.

Portfolios currently submitted

PDRP Portfolios for nurses and QLP (QLP) portfolios for midwives that
were submitted prior to the earthquake have been granted a further three
month extension for assessment processes and this date will be reviewed
again in three months time. The original submission date still stands,
therefore back pay will occur to this date if the nurse or midwife has
met the level applied for.

Finally, nurses and midwives in our region have responded courageously
and shown adaptability, resourcefulness and stamina in their response to
the earthquake. Our heartfelt thanks for the support you are giving to
the patients in your care during this difficult time.

PHONE SURVEY TO ASSESS HEALTH NEEDS OF CHRISTCHURCH PEOPLE

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is undertaking a telephone
survey of Christchurch residents to gather information on the prevalence
of gastroenteritis, respiratory illness or other illnesses in
Christchurch after the February 22 earthquake. CDHB is also using the
survey to understand if residents have access to essential health
services - such as a GP or pharmacy - and whether they are following
advice to boil or treat their water.

Initially, the survey will be carried out each week for four weeks. Five
hundred Christchurch residents from across the city, chosen at random,
will be contacted each week to provide feedback on health issues and
access to services. The survey will take no more than 10 minutes to
complete.

Water

All water should continue to be boiled, until the council gives the all
clear. Details of locations are of water collection available at
http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/water-tanker-timetable-for-deliveries
/
. Residents must take their own containers and remember to boil all
water before use.

You can also collect hand sanitiser, health information and facemasks
from the tankers.

Important public health information

* Boil or treat all water from taps and tankers before drinking,
brushing teeth or using in food preparation. Bringing water to the boil
is sufficient to kill bugs. Water needs to be boiled even if the smell
or taste of chlorine is present. If you cannot boil water, treat it by
adding 1 teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres of water and leave
for 30 minutes.
* Waterways are contaminated with sewage. Avoid contact with
rivers, sea water, ponds, puddles or other surface water. Do not swim,
paddle, fish, or gather shellfish or any other food from oceans and
rivers.
* In many parts of the city sewerage pipes have broken and sewage
has mixed with liquefaction silt. People should avoid silt if they can,
particularly if they don't have running water to wash after contact. If
people have to work with silt they should wear water-proof gloves,
gumboots and a dust mask; shower or wash immediately afterwards; and
wash clothes separately.
* Take care when disposing of human waste (faeces, poo, vomit
etc). Bury it in your garden or wrap it well in paper or plastic and put
it in your red bin for collection. Add some sawdust or kitty-litter to
neutralise odour. Wash your hands immediately after dealing with any
human waste.
* Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser after toileting, and
before and after eating or preparing food. Free hand sanitiser is
available from official water tanker sites.
* If you don't have running water, make a plan to move in with a
friend or relative who has running water if you get sick. When you are
sick, running water (for hand washing and toileting) is much more
important.
* If you are sick, try to limit contact with other people, do not
go to work and do not prepare food for anyone.
* Take extreme care with food - particularly with food that should
be refrigerated. Dispose of smelly, slimy, mouldy or discoloured food
immediately. Do not refreeze food once power returns.

Burwood/Christchurch Hospital Shuttle Bus

Monday to Sunday Service There is a 43 seat shuttle coach for patients
and staff operating between Burwood and Christchurch Hospitals:

Burwood departures from beside Beacon House at entrance B2 leave at:
6.15am - 8.00am - 2.00pm - 4.00pm - 10.00pm

Parking at Burwood is signposted and staff must park on the grassed area
as indicated.

Christchurch departures leave from the Traffic Lights on Oxford Terrace
below the Emergency Department at: 7.15am - 3.30pm - 5.00pm -
11.15pm

The Princess Margaret Hospital (TPMH) /Christchurch Hospital St John's
Shuttle (Hillmorton/ TPMH)

Monday to Friday Service The normal St John's shuttle timetable is
operating between TPMH and Christchurch IS NOT calling at Burwood.
Departure points are at the main entrance for TPMH and the Riverside
entrance for Christchurch. Pick up at Hillmorton is the Avon Building

Hillmorton/Christchurch - CDHB Minibus Shuttle

Monday to Friday Service CDHB Minibuses are operating continuously from
8.30am to 5.00pm between Hillmorton and Christchurch Hospitals starting
at 8.30am from Hillmorton. These are available for staff and patients.
Parking is located on the playing filed at Hillmorton and is signposted
from the main Annex Road entrance. Drop off and pick up is from the
lower ground floor entrance of Christchurch Women's Hospital.

All Canterbury District Health Board buildings - safety

All hospital buildings have been checked by independent structural
engineers. Other than those closed off or with restricted entry (clearly
marked by tape, cones etc), the buildings have been assessed as safe to
occupy. 'Green stickers' are being placed on the buildings.

Christchurch Hospital services

Detailed information on the availability of hospital services in
Christchurch can be found on the Canterbury DHB website.

http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/communications/earthquake/documents/Important%20
Health%20Information.pdf

Elective surgery - Limited elective surgery has resumed, however some
patients will need to have their surgery performed at other hospitals.
Patients will be contacted regarding arrangements.

Media are not to access Christchurch Hospital or staff without
permission - ALL media queries must be directed to the Canterbury DHB
Strategic Communications Team. Please phone (03) 337 7390, or 027 502
7523/ 027 531 4796.

Don't swim in rivers, beaches

Do not swim in rivers and beaches where raw sewage may be present.
Locations include all beaches between the Waimakariri River and
Lyttelton Harbour. Anyone with symptoms (vomiting and/or diarrhoea)
should phone their GP or pharmacy for advice.

Free Urgent Medical Treatment

If you are unwell, visit your General Practice team. If your health
issue is earthquake related, your visit may be free. This arrangement is
in place until the end of Sunday 13 March.

The urgent medical care offer is also being generously matched by major
North Island general practice networks Procare in Auckland,
Wellington's Compass and the Midlands Health Network (covering Taranaki,
Waikato, some of Lakes and Tairawhiti). Christchurch evacuees in the
North Island should ring first to check the initiative is being offered
at their nearest practice.

In recognition of GPs' support, DHBs are waiving the usual deduction on
Canterbury practices when their patients are treated elsewhere until
March 13.

General Practices and Pharmacies

Despite ongoing difficulties with infrastructure, most General Practice
Teams and pharmacies are now open. You can phone your General Practice
24 hours a day. When your practice is closed at night, you will be put
through to a telephone triage service. If your general practice phone
number is not working or you do not have a usual general practice, ring
365 7777. For emergencies and life threatening conditions always call
111.

Recovery Assistance Centres (RACs)

Recovery Assistance Centres are one-stop-shops where people can access
welfare information and services. They bring together central, local
government and non government organisations. Each RAC has visiting or
on-call health staff.

This includes a designated Partnership Community Worker (PCW) who can
link those in need with relevant health and social services and ensure
they are linked in to a General Practice team. The PCW can also
organise transport to help the patient get to a GP or a hospital
appointment or to a social service agency. RACs also have visiting
Health Protection Officers.

RACs are open week days 8.30am to 5.00pm & weekends 900am to 4.00pm and
are located at:

* Linwood Community Link
- 154 Aldwins Road

* Linwood Wainoni Aranui Recreation Centre - 31 Hampshire
Street

* Wainoni Parklands Baptist Church - 180
Queenspark Drive

* Parklands St Faiths Hall
- 46 Hawke Street

* New Brighton Nga Hau e Wha Marae - 250 Pages
Road

* Aranui Shirley Rugby Club -
Burwood Park, New Brighton Road, Shirley/Dallington

* Lyttelton Recreation Centre -
25 Winchester Street, Lyttelton

* Sydenham Community Centre - 23-25
Hutcheson Street, Sydenham

* Hagley Old Boys Cricket Club -
Hagley Oval, Riccarton Avenue.

* Mt Pleasant Yacht Club -
21 Main Road Mt Pleasant (by the Ferrymead Bridge)

More information on RACs and location maps -
http://www.msd.govt.nz/emergency/recovery-assistance-centres.html

Helplines

* ACC - People wanting to know what their entitlements are 0800
101 996

* Healthline - Health advice 24-hours a day, seven days a week
0800 611 116

* Red Cross - 0800 733 276. People who have relocated outside of
Christchurch are urged to contact the Red Cross.

* Urgent mental health advice - Psychiatric Emergency Service on
03 3640 482 or 0800 920 092

* Urgent Dental Care - If you can't contact your own dentist 335
4260. After hours 027 683 0679

* Meals on wheels - 337 7797

* Vulnerable older people - that urgently require assistance
because of health or disability needs should contact Older Persons
Health on 337 7765 for assessment and advice.

* Relocated older people - if you are unable to contact their
usual aged residential care provider to confirm their location, please
phone 337 8937 for information.

* Dialysis - helpline 0800 881919

* Ambulance - 111

* Pegasus 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue - 365 7777

* Water collection locations -
http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/water-tanker-timetable-for-deliveries
/

* Coping strategies - stress and anxiety - The Ministry of
Health has created a series of fact sheets with advice and coping
strategies for people experiencing stress or anxiety in the wake of this
week's tragedy. These can be found on the Ministry's website -
www.moh.govt.nz - under the banner headline
'Christchurch Earthquake'

* Mental Health Nurses - are available to provide support in the
community. Please phone your GP Team for information.

* Other useful websites include -
www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
www.civildefence.co.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Canterbury DHB

CDHB

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.

We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.

At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.

Contact Canterbury DHB

• Website - www.cdhb.govt.nz
• Facebook
• Media Contact - Jendy Harper