DHB Update on Emergency Support to Christchurch Earthquake

Thursday 24 February 2011

Media Update on Emergency Support to Christchurch Earthquake

Issued on behalf of:
Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB)
Auckland District Health Board (ADHB)
Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB)
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS)
Northland District Health Board (NDHB)

This media update is provided to respond to the volume of media enquiries related to Christchurch earthquake and emergency response support being provided by the three Auckland DHBs and Northland in the Auckland region. Please do not call during this emergency support phase as we will endeavour to provide information via regular media updates. Each organisation’s Incident Management Team continues to work closely to support Canterbury at this time.

Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB)

• Transfer of 35 home dialysis patients last night went well and following assessment they were housed in motel accommodation.
• Working closely with Auckland, Waitemata and Northland District Health Boards on the home-based care of dialysis patients from Christchurch. They are being shared around the region today for dialysis over the next 48 hours and then reviewed. Some may go to Northland. This plan is in place for two weeks.
• Two orthopaedic patients have been transferred to Middlemore Hospital.
• A few more beds available than yesterday.
• An Emergency Operations Centre has been set up to co-ordinate CMDHB’s response to the Christchurch disaster.
• Elective surgery is continuing as usual.
• Many, many staff including doctors, nurses and community GPs have registered as being available to help if needed in Christchurch.

Auckland District Health Board
• A total of six patients from Christchurch have been admitted to Auckland Hospital and Starship Hospital.
• Six general surgery nurses with paediatric and adult medical experience left for Christchurch early this morning. These nurses are in addition to the three ICU specialists already dispatched.
• Elective surgery has resumed in Auckland City Hospital.
• ADHB's Incident Management Team continues to work closely with the national agencies that are co-ordinating the response effort.

Waitemata District Health Board
• Waitakere Hospital is expecting 12 dialysis patients (part of the 35 from CMDHB) today.
• Three Intensive Care Unit registered nurses were sent to Christchurch yesterday.
• Elective surgery continues as normal at North Shore Hospital and Waitakere Hospital.
• An Emergency Operations Centre has been set up to co-ordinate WDHB’s response to the Christchurch disaster – headed by Dr Jocelyn Peach.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS)
• ARPHS has activated its Incident Management Team. Staff deployment co-ordination and prioritisation to assist Christchurch public health is at an advanced stage of planning in consultation with the Ministry of Health.
• Medical Officer of Health has been deployed to Christchurch today.
• Staff deployment plan is in place for medical officers, medical officers of health, public health nurses and health protection officers.
• ARPHS is working with the National Health Co-ordination Centre (NHCC) and our regional health colleagues to co-ordinate any support requirements based on the Christchurch health sector needs.
• We are grateful to the high number of staff who have volunteered to assist the people of Christchurch.

Northland District Health Board (NDHB)
• Northland DHB's Incident Management Team is on alert and maintains a watching brief.
• Contingency plans are in place to receive dialysis patients, recently transferred to Auckland from Canterbury if necessary. These plans include treatment options and accommodation. Northland DHB is also working closely with the Ministry of Social Development based in Whangarei to ensure the welfare of these patients are available such as food and extra clothing.
• Northland DHB would like to thank the Northland community for their offers of support to help these patients but plans are well in hand to support these patients if treatment is required to be delivered in Whangarei.
• Elective surgery is continuing as usual.
• Our thoughts are with our colleagues, family and friends at the coalface in Christchurch.

Further updates will be provided as necessary. Thank you to all media outlets for your patience.

ENDS

© Scoop Media