24 February 2011
Earthquake Update Seven – Canterbury District Health Board
CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL IS OPERATIONAL
Christchurch Hospital has sustained some damage due to water leakage and the quake however it is still receiving
patients. The staff car parks cannot be used, and unfortunately the long-term viability of some of the facilities housed
in the basement of one of the car parks is unknown. Staffing levels are good and have been boosted by colleagues from
around the country. A number of stable patients are being transferred to other hospitals to free beds for the seriously
ill.
Maternity services are busy, as is the neonatal intensive care unit. Some babies will be transferred to other units
around the country. Pregnant women who have antenatal appointments should still come in to their clinic appointments at
Christchurch Women’s Hospital.
Orthopaedics and Cardiology services also remain busy. The emergency department is steady at the moment and managing the
workload very well.
The hospital currently has around 335 patients in hospital, with 164 admissions due to the quake. The emergency
department provided care for 211 patients in 24 hours prior to midnight Wednesday.
CANTERBURY DHB STAFF ARE TO TURN UP TO WORK FOR THEIR NORMAL ROSTERED HOURS
Staff are not required to come in outside of their rostered hours. Please check with your manager what these hours are.
REST HOME RESIDENTS BEING RELOCATED
More rest home residents are being relocated today.
Many are being collected and taken home with family and friends, while others are being transferred to safe alternative
accommodation both in Christchurch and outside the region. 30 patients were transferred to Nelson last night and 27 were
moved to Princess Margaret Hospital.
Resthome staff are doing an amazing job keeping their residents safe and well looked after despite the trying
circumstances.
Access to respite care services is via GP referral only.
FIELD HOSPITAL ARRIVING TODAY
An Australian Army Field hospital is due to arrive this afternoon. It’s a 75 bed hospital and will be utilised over the
coming days. The field hospital will be arriving in a number of shipping containers and will be staffed by Australian
clinicians including six emergency department doctors, 13 nurses, general surgery staff, orthopaedic staff, general
trauma, anaesthetists and support staff. “Today we’re looking at the areas of peak demand and want to make the best use
of this facility.
HEALTH CARE AT WELFARE CENTRES
St John Ambulance, Public Health Nurses and GPs are working together at Welfare Centres
A team of public health nurses will be working at the Welfare Centres focusing on infection control, hand hygiene and
isolating any cases of suspected gastroenteritis or measles. Teams will be on site every day while the centres are open.
A GP and St John Ambulance staff will also be present at each welfare centres.
Centres are currently located at:
Pioneer Stadium
Rangiora Baptist Church
Cowles Stadium
Burnside High School
CDHB HAS SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR STAFF
Staff can keep up to date via Canterbury District Health Board’s Facebook page.
CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
At times like this it’s important to look out for elderly neighbours and others who live alone.
TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS WITH YOU
If you’re moving out of your home or leaving Christchurch remember to take your regular medications and prescriptions
with you.
BOIL ALL WATER – EVEN IF IT’S COME FROM A WATER TANKER
Less than half the city has had reticulated water supplies restored, however, everyone living in Christchurch should
continue to assume tap water is contaminated and unsafe to drink until advised otherwise by Council.
All water (from a tap or a tanker) should be boiled for one minute before drinking, brushing teeth or washing/preparing
food.
-Water being boiled in a pot should be boiled for one minute
-Water being boiled in a kettle should be brought to the boil twice.
Councils will be testing water supplies intensively and will advise when the water is safe to use without boiling. Even
though water may look clear, it should be treated as contaminated and unsafe to drink because of damaged underground
water and sewage pipes. Do not use river water for drinking or washing.
FREE GP CARE EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY
Canterbury residents with urgent medical needs can visit a GP free of charge until tomorrow night.
NO SURCHARGE ON PRESCRIPTIONS UNTIL SUNDAY
CDHB is waiving the $3 fee on prescriptions until Sunday.
IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR
Phone your own GP first – if they’re not open a nurse will answer the call and direct you to the nearest GP practice
that’s open
If the phones are not working, visit your nearest after hours medical centre.
The Pegasus 24 hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue is open tonight and the after hours clinics at Moorhouse Medical
Centre and the Riccarton Clinic will be open tomorrow between 8am and 8pm.
It’s expected about 60% will be operating today. This is considerably down on the September 4, 2010 quake when 90% of
practices were open from day one.
CHRISTCHURCH WOMEN’S HOSPITAL IS OPEN & RECEIVING PATIENTS
Burwood birthing unit are closed today.
Lyndhurst Centre is closed until Monday and women with appointments will be contacted by a staff member.
Rangiora and Lincoln birthing units are open.
ELECTIVE SURGERY AND OUTPATIENTS
All elective surgery and outpatient appointments are postponed until Tuesday.
Paediatric clinics are closed for the rest of the week.
Community Oncology - there will be no appointments for chemotherapy and radiotherapy until Monday unless patients are
individually contacted earlier. All patients will be contacted in due course.
LOOKING FOR AN INJURED FAMILY MEMBER WHO MAY BE IN HOSPITAL?
Relatives looking for injured family members at Christchurch Hospital should go to the Great Escape Café in the main
foyer where a relative centre has been set up and there are social workers and police available.
To report missing people, contact Red Cross 0800 733 276.
METHADONE PATIENTS
If you are a methadone patient and your usual pharmacy is closed, phone the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) on
335 4350 and they will direct you to the nearest pharmacy.
MEALS ON WHEELS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK
Meals on wheels are not available for the rest of the week – if you have elderly neighbours or people who live alone, please check on them and help out if you can with meals and
support.
OTHER KEY PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGES
People need to take the following advice to avoid getting sick with stomach bugs and other illnesses.
Surface waters
People should avoid contact with sewage. Assume river, sea water and any other surface water is contaminated with
sewage. People should stay away and not swim, fish or gather shellfish in the sea, Canterbury rivers or any standing
water until notified.
People who have sewage contamination within their homes should be advised to move to alternative accommodation.
Make sure you wear shoes, due to broken glass, debris and sewage leaks.
Toilets
Conserve water if you have it.
People should be advised to flush toilets sparingly.
“If its yellow let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down.”
People who do not have a flushing toilet are advised to make a temporary toilet with a bin lined with two plastic bags.
The bin should be covered between uses. The contents can be buried when the bin is no longer needed. Details of how to
make a temporary toilet can be found at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/protecting-your-health-in-an-emergency
Hand washing
Frequent hand washing needs to be emphasised. Where people do not have access to water, alcohol gel is a good
alternative. Hands do not need to be dried if alcohol gel is used.
Remind people to wash hands, particularly after:
Using the toilet
Before and after preparing food
Handling rubbish or waste
Cleaning toilets, bathrooms
Handling soiled clothing or bed linen
Handling cleaning equipment such as cloths, buckets and mops
Hand washing stops diseases spreading. Cold water is fine as long as soap is used and hands are thoroughly dried.
Dishwashers
Conserve water if you have it
If dishwashers are used a full hot wash with detergent (not economy wash) must be used. Dishes must be allowed to dry
fully prior to re-use.
Contact with neighbours/friends
People should be encouraged to look after each other. Advise people to keep in touch with families, friends and
neighbours and support each other.
Food safety
Members of the public and food business operators should phone the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) on 0800 693
721 (0800 NZFSA1) if they have any enquiries.
PHARMACIES THAT ARE OPEN TODAY
All Ashburton pharmacies are open
Airport Pharmacy Ltd
Akaroa Pharmacy
Amberley Pharmacy Ltd
Avonhead Pharmacy Ltd
Barrington Health Centre Pharmacy
Wilsons Barrington Pharmacy
Barrington Unichem Pharmacy
Bastins Pharmacy
Belfast Pharmacy
Bells Pharmacy Lyttelton Ltd
Bush Inn Pharmacy Ltd
Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy
Casebrook Pharmacy Ltd
Centre Court Pharmacy
Dales Pharmacy Ltd
Darfield Pharmacy
Ewart Douglas Pharmacy
Elmwood Pharmacy
Fendalton Mall Pharmacy
Ferry Road Pharmacy
Graeme Smith Pharmacy
Halswell Masons Pharmacy
Hammersley Pharmacy
Hardings Chemist
Hardings Pharmacy
HealthWorks Pharmacy
Hei Hei Pharmacy
Hillmorton Pharmacy
Hoon Hay Pharmacy
Hornby Unichem
Ilam Pharmacy
Kaiapoi Crossing Pharmacy
Kaiapoi Amcal
Kendall Pharmacy
Kirk Road Templeton Pharmacy
King Medicine Management (open for Resthomes only)
Leeston Pharmacy
Lincoln Pharmacy
Linwood Dispensary Limited (Urgent patients only)
Mairehau Pharmacy
Netherby Pharmacy
North Avon Pharmacy Practice
Oxford Pharmacy
Papanui Pharmacy
Parklands Pharmacy
Radius Church Corner
Rangiora Pharmacy
Redwood Pharmacy
Rolleston Pharmacy
Stantons Pharmacy
Unichem Ashburton
Wairakei Road Pharmacy
Merivale Medical Centre Pharmacy
Stavely Street Pharmacy
Searles Allenton Pharmacy
Selwyn Community Pharmacy
Shields Pharmacy
Skelley & Amcal Chemist
Spreydon Pharmacy
Staywell Pharmacy
Waltham Pharmacy
Wise’s Pharmacy
Wyatt Chemist
Union Street Pharmacy
Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive David Meates
ENDS