Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Message from Canterbury District Health Board
Message from Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB)
Chief Executive, David Meates.
I would
like to sincerely thank Aged Residential Care Providers,
Community and District Nursing, Home Based Support services,
Disability providers and Primary Care services for their
response following the earthquake. Their commitment to
ensuring our health services have been able to respond to
the needs of the community during this very difficult time
has been truly impressive.
I would like to add a special thank you to all the volunteers who provided additional support during this time You are all greatly appreciated and demonstrate what a strong community we have here in Canterbury. We also appreciate all the support offered to us from around the country.
Community services continued to operate under the most trying circumstances with staff turning up to work, despite having to leave their families and damaged housing, to check on the most vulnerable people in our community and ensure they had appropriate supports in place.
Following the large quake, Aged Residential Care became a sector under pressure with a number of people seeking respite and residential placement. This was compounded by two facilities suffering significant structural damage, which required the relocation of residents.
CDHB decided to centralise access into Aged Residential Care for all admissions while we were in a State of Emergency.
Stella Ward, CDHB’s Executive Director Allied Health said, “this move enabled us to ensure that room was available for residents to be relocated, and that access to respite care was prioritised based on clinical need,”
Throughout the response the number of available beds was continually changing because of water, power and sewerage issues - and the ongoing effect of aftershocks. To ensure there would always be enough capacity available for long term residents, a respite facility was opened in Ward 3B at The Princess Margaret Hospital. Admissions to this service ceased on 14 September.
The Aged Residential Care sector showed great unity in responding to the earthquake and people are continuing to work together to make sure residents who have been relocated are settled and supported to cope with the dramatic experience of losing their home.
ENDS
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.
University of Auckland: Tributes Flow For Much Loved Pacific Leader Melegalenu’u Ah Sam
NZEI: Ministry Of Education Cuts Will Disproportionately Affect Pasifika
Day One Hapai te Haeata: Call To Action For Young Filmmakers Against The Backdrop Of Funding Cuts
Toyota New Zealand: Three Races For Top Three To Decide TR86 Title
Wellington City Council: Wellington Is All Action Stations For The Faultline Ultra Festival
Melanie Allison: Local Playwright Casts A Spell Over Hamilton