EARTHQUAKE UPDATE FIFTEEN - CANTERBURY DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD

FREE GP CARE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY 6 MARCH

Canterbury residents with urgent medical needs can visit a GP free of charge until end of day next Sunday (6 March).

PRESCRIPTION FEES WAIVED UNTIL SUNDAY 6 MARCH

Patients will not have to pay the $3 co-payment or any other part-charges or premiums on their prescriptions until Sunday March 6.

ALL ELECTIVE SURGERY POSTPONED UNTIL 7 MARCH

All elective surgery (public and private) in Christchurch is postponed until Monday 7 March 2011 at earliest. Alternative arrangements are being made for non-deferrable surgery.

IF YOU NEED MEDICAL CARE PHONE YOUR OWN GENERAL PRACTICE TEAM FIRST

Community and primary health services across Canterbury are coping well and improving each day. Phone your own General Practice (GP) Team first - if they're not open a nurse will answer the call and direct you to the nearest general practice that's open.

If your own GP's phone isn't working or you do not have a general practice please contact the Pegasus 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue - 365 7777, the Riccarton Clinic, 3433661, or Moorhouse Medical, 3657900. The 24 hour surgery have a team of nurses able to provide health advice and can provide self-care advice on how to care for minor injuries and illnesses at home. They will also direct callers to the nearest medical centre.

The Pegasus 24-hour medical centre is open 24 hours 7 days per week and clinics at Moorhouse Medical Centre and the Riccarton Clinic are open from 8am to 8pm daily.

The Rural GP Practice in Kaiapoi is also providing 24-hour services to patients in Christchurch who are not able to access their own GP Teams.

Please keep Christchurch Hospital for emergencies only. If you need an ambulance, please phone 111.

All rural General Practice (Banks Peninsula, Ashburton/Methven, Selwyn, Waimakariri, Hurunui/Kaikoura open as usual and busy but coping due to influx of displaced people from Christchurch.

Only nine general practices are closed. Two of these are in Sumner in an area which has been cordoned off and most of the others are within the central business district.

A new website has been launched providing useful health information for the public http://www.healthinfo.org.nz/

GASTROENTERITIS

There have been 22 notifications of cases of gastroenteritis to date. They are all isolated cases, therefore this is not considered an outbreak.

HEALTHLINE - Phone: 0800 611 116

Healthline provides health advice 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Phone: 0800 611 116. Calls are answered by a registered nurse. Healthline uses language line and can access translators in many languages. Healthline can also transfer callers to mental health professionals for advice and support.

MIDWIFERY CARE
Pregnant women or new mothers leaving Christchurch for other parts of the country should contact the maternity unit at their new DHB to find a new midwife, if this hasn't already been arranged. Where possible women leaving Christchurch receiving midwifery care should let them know they're leaving so they can provide maternity notes to assist in the transfer of care.

CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL

PATIENT PARKING & NEW SHUTTLE BUS FOR PATIENTS

Patients with appointments at Christchurch and Womens Hospital are asked to park at Hillmorton Hospital and catch the free shuttle which will take them to the main entrance at Christchurch Hospital. Parking will be free

Access to the parking at Hillmorton is via the main entrance on Annex road off Lincoln road and will be sign posted

The shuttles will run from 08:00 to 17:00.

Leaving Hillmorton on the ½ hour and Christchurch Hospital on the hour.

Pick up at Christchurch Hospital will be the main entrance

Hospital Services

Hospital services are continuing to provide care for hundreds of inpatients and there are no capacity issues. Staff are doing a remarkable job considering everyone has been affected by the quake. Some hospital buildings have sustained damage and all are constantly being checked for damage by structural engineers.

Visitors to hospital are reminded to clean their hands with alcohol gel before entering clinical areas. This is available at the entrance to all clinical areas.

Total occupancy at Christchurch Hospital as of 3pm Monday 28 February is 324 and there are 12 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) - it is not known at this stage how many in ICU have earthquake related conditions.

There were 22 patients in the Emergency Department. On Sunday the Emergency Department provided care for 181 patients.

Orthopaedics remains busy and Cardiology services are quieter.

Neonatal intensive care remains busy while maternity services are busy but steady and there are some transfers expected out of Christchurch today.

There are sufficient numbers of midwives available.

Staffing levels are good and have been boosted by colleagues from around the country. Stable patients continue to be transferred to other hospitals to free beds for the seriously ill.

Burwood birthing unit is 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.

As at 3pm Monday 28 February - Princess Margaret Hospital has 154 patients, Burwood Hospital 72 patients and Ashburton Hospital 47 patients.

Christchurch Hospital Services - updated information as at 4:00pm 28/02/2011

Surgery

All elective surgery (public and private) in Christchurch is postponed until Monday 7 March 2011 at the earliest. Alternative arrangements are being made for non-deferrable (cancer) surgery.

Surgeons at Christchurch Hospital would like to reassure patients who were booked for surgery last week and this week you will be contacted with information as soon as possible.

Oncology

Christchurch Hospital Oncology Services resumed normal clinical activity on today, Monday 28 February. All patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy should attend their booked appointments, unless contacted by Oncology staff. Staff are working hard to maintain essential cancer services in order to minimise disruption to patient care.

Diabetes Centre and Diabetes Christchurch Society

The Diabetes Centre and Diabetes Christchurch Society at 550 Hagley Ave are closed until further notice. Appointments at the Diabetes Outpatient Clinics are cancelled until further notice. The Diabetes Team and the Society are operating very limited services from Parkside Outpatients, Christchurch Hospital. If you have any diabetes emergencies, please contact your GP in the first instance. If you are unable to find a GP, limited medical services are being offered at Cowles Stadium. A diabetes triage nurse is operating from Christchurch Hospital and is available Monday to Friday 8.30 to 5pm on 0274543052. Alternatively call Christchurch Hospital 3640640 during these hours and ask to be put through.

Outpatient Clinics

If you have an outpatient appointment at Christchurch Hospital or with the Women's and Children's division and need to be seen you will be contacted. If you are not contacted this week you will be sent a new appointment for a later date.

General Practitioners will continue to refer patients for specialist assessment on the basis of their clinical needs, recognising CDHB's limited resources.

Orthopaedics
All orthopaedic fracture follow-up clinics at Christchurch Hospital are continuing as normal.

Women's Health
Antenatal classes are continuing at usual.

Planned Caesarean sections are continuing as usual.

Gynaecology appointments are postponed at the moment. Patients will be contacted to reschedule their appointment.

Lyndhurst - women with appointments will be contacted by staff.

Allied Health (Physiotheraphy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, Social Work and Speech Language Therapy)

Everyone who has had an outpatient appointment cancelled the services listed below will contact you next week to reschedule. Apologies for the inconvenience this may cause and we appreciate your patience.

Physiotherapy

Outpatient appointments are all cancelled except for the following:

Acute Hand Therapy patients (the department will contact you to arrange)

Respiratory patients requiring physiotherapy input will have this through the community therapy unit

Inpatient services are primarily focused on acute chest physio and to assist with transfers and discharges

Occupational Therapy

Outpatient appointments and Domiciliary (home) visits are cancelled for this week.

Please do not return equipment to the department this week.

Inpatient services are running.

Nutrition Services

Outpatient appointments are cancelled for this week.

Inpatient services are running.

Social Work Services

The Relatives Support Centre centre is running in The Great Escape from 8.30am to 4pm.

Inpatient services are running.

Speech Language Therapy

Outpatient appointments are cancelled for this week.

Inpatient social work services are running.

Professional Development Unit (PDU) - Nursing Education

All CDHB study days for nursing staff are cancelled until 7 March. PDU staff will be contacting staff involved over the next few days. The PDU has been relocated to the department of nursing.

Post Graduate (PG) Nursing

Staff who have had PG study cancelled should contact their line manager to arrange alternative work hours.

Nursing Duty Office

The nursing duty office has relocated across the corridor to the department of nursing.

Pauline Clark

General Manager - Medical Surgical Women's and Children's Health

Canterbury District Health Board

DENTAL CARE

The New Zealand Dental Association advises all patients in need of emergency or routine dental care to contact their own dentist first. If you can't contact your own dentist, the oral health emergency centre has been relocated to Hillmorton. This is a Monday to Friday service only. For appointments ph 335 4260. A mobile clinic will also be available at the Cowles Stadium Field hospital today.

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. If you are already taking medication, it is important to keep taking it. Most Canterbury pharmacies are open, so if you are running low on your regular medications, you should visit your usual pharmacy if it is open. They will dispense your medications without a prescription for a further seven days.

If you cannot go to your usual pharmacy or are out of Christchurch, please take your medication containers and some personal identification (e.g., your driver's licence) to a nearby pharmacy. If the pharmacy or doctor cannot establish exactly what you need, they will not be able to give it to you, so please make sure you have the exact details.

If you are on a hospital-based medication to assist your mental health, please contact your case manager or psychiatric district nurse. If you cannot contact these people, please ring 364 0482. If you use items such as bandages or syringes that you usually purchase from your pharmacy, continue to get these from your pharmacist.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ISSUES

Home oxygen or Bi-Pap machines: If you are using a breathing device such as an oxygen

concentrator or Bi-Pap machine, and your power supply is interrupted, find an alternative power source if at all possible. If you cannot find a power source, do not call 111 unless your breathing is severely distressing. Call Cardio/Respiratory Outreach during work hours - (03) 364 0167. If your call is not answered, leave a detailed message. Your call will be attended to as soon as possible. If it is after hours please call (03) 364 0640.

Other medical equipment: If you are using medical equipment such as a nebuliser or sleep apnoea machine (e.g. a CPAP machine) that requires power or running water, and these are not available in your home, please go to your nearest welfare centre.

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 WILL RESUME TOMORROW, TUESDAY 1 MARCH

Meals on wheels is planned to resume tomorrow. If you have elderly neighbours or people who live alone, please check on them and help out if you can with meals and support. Anyone wanting to contact the Meals on Wheels office please telephone 03 337 7797.

REST HOME RESIDENTS BEING RELOCATED

Almost 200 rest home residents have been transferred out of Christchurch to other regions. Another 14 identified for evacuation may be transferred today (Monday).

Family members of evacuated residents with any concerns should phone 03 337 8937 for further information.

Only residents from facilities where there has been structural damage are being relocated at this stage.

Rest home staff are doing an amazing job despite trying circumstances - many are keeping their residents safe and well despite no water, power and, or telephone.

Some rest home residents have gone home with family members or friends and it is very important that they or their families make contact and stay in contact with their family general practice to ensure the medical needs of their elderly relative are being met.

Many rest homes need logistical help especially with practical things like, water and laundry.

Respite care capacity is significantly limited and access is via GP referral only.

Staff who have been freed up with the transfer of residents elsewhere are likely to be redeployed and allocated to operating homes in Christchurch.

MEDIA ARE NOT TO ACCESS CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL OR STAFF WITHOUT PERMISSION

· All media queries must be directed to the CDHB Strategic Communications Team. Please phone (03) 337 7390, or 027 502 7523/ 027 531 4796.

HEALTH CARE AT WELFARE CENTRES

St John Ambulance, Public Health Nurses and army medics are working together at Welfare Centres. The 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.

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) Welfare Centres are currently located at:

Rangiora Baptist Church - 111 East Belt Rangiora - 64 people as at 11am Sunday

Burnside High School - corner of Memorial Avenue and Greers Rd - entrance on Greers Rd - 300 people as at 11 am Sunday

Pioneer Stadium Centre - 75 Lyttelton St Spreydon - 150 people as at 11 am Sunday

Rolleston Community Centre and the Cowles Welfare Centre are closed.

Non MSD Centres are located at:

Ashburton - 30 people as at 11 am Sunday

Rapaki - 40 people as at 11 am Sunday

Rehua Marae - 60 people as at 11 am Sunday

New Welfare Centres have also been set up at New Brighton at Roy Stokes Hall 140 Seaview Road under the guidance of the New Zealand Police and at Windsor Road Primary School run by the Red Cross.

COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTRE AT COWLES STADIUM - in Pages Road open 7 days 8am - 8 pm.

The Australian Army Field Community Medical Centre began delivering primary care at Cowles Stadium to eastern suburbs residents on Saturday. The 75-bed facility, staffed by Australian clinicians with some local support from doctors and nurses is supporting General Practices in the eastern suburbs who are having difficulty delivering health services. The Centre will provide free primary care until Sunday night March 6 along with other GP Clinics in Christchurch. As at midday Sunday 27 February the Centre had treated around 170 patients. A mobile community dental clinic is also operating on the site.

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.

The relative care centre at the Great Escape café is staffed by Social Workers.

Police will be located at the Papanui Liaison office at Papanui Police Station.

GPs WANTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WAIVED FEES

GPs wanting more information about waived fees should phone 353 9966 (Pegasus)

CDHB HAS SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR STAFF

Staff can keep up to date via Canterbury District Health Board's Facebook page.

EMAILS OF SUPPORT FOR CANTERBURY DISTRICT HEALTH BOARD

If you would like to send a message of support to Canterbury District Health Board staff please email messagesofsupport@cdhb.govt.nz

Emotional responses to the recent crisis

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. Some of us may feel it's hard to function. If you are worried 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.

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.

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.

PHARMACIES THAT ARE OPEN TODAY - Monday 28 February

Airport Pharmacy Ltd

Akaroa Pharmacy

Amberley Pharmacy Ltd

Avonhead Pharmacy Ltd

Barrington Health Centre Pharmacy

Wilsons Barrington Pharmacy Ltd

Barrington Unichem Pharmacy

Bastins Pharmacy Ltd

Belfast Pharmacy

Bells Pharmacy Lyttelton Ltd

Bush Inn Pharmacy Ltd

Burwood Pharmacy Ltd

Casebrook Pharmacy Ltd

Centre Court Pharmacy Ltd

Darfield Pharmacy

Eastern Pharmacy Aranui

Ewart Douglas Pharmacy

Elmwood Pharmacy

Fendalton Mall Pharmacy

Fenwicks (TR) Pharmacy Ltd

Ferry Road Pharmacy

Graeme Smith Pharmacy

Halswell Mansons Pharmacy

Hardings Chemist

Hardings Pharmacy

HealthWorks Pharmacy

Hei Hei Pharmacy Ltd

Hillmorton Pharmacy Ltd

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

Mairehau Pharmacy

McIntosh Pharmacy

Miles Pharmacy

Netherby Pharmacy

North Avon Pharmacy Practice Ltd

Oxford Pharmacy

Opawa Pharmacy

Papanui Pharmacy

Parklands Pharmacy

Parkside Pharmacy (at the main entrance to Christchurch Hospital)

Pharmacy at Phillipstown

Radius Church Corner

Radius Moorhouse Avenue

Rangiora Pharmacy

Redwood Pharmacy 2002 Ltd

Redcliffs Pharmacy

Rolleston Pharmacy

Stantons Pharmacy

Unichem Ashburton

Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy

Wairakei Road Pharmacy

Merivale Medical Centre Pharmacy

Stavely Street Pharmacy

Searles Allenton Pharmacy

Selwyn Community Pharmacy

Selwyn Village Pharmacy

Shirley Dispensary

South Brighton Pharmacy

St Albans Pharmacy

Shields Pharmacy

Skelley & Webb Amcal Chemist

Spreydon Pharmacy

Staywell Pharmacy

Templeton Pharmacy

Urgent Pharmacy (Bealey Avenue)

Woodham Road Pharmacy

Woolston Pharmacy

Waltham Pharmacy Ltd

Wise's Pharmacy

Wyatt Chemist

Union Street Pharmacy

http://www.canterburydentists.org.nz/

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