Earthquake Update Ten – Canterbury District Health Board

25 February 2011

Senior medical staff will be giving a media briefing at Christchurch Hospital at 1pm today. This is an opportunity to hear first-hand what’s it’s been like in the hospital since the earthquake. (Note: There is no major announcement)

Media are asked to assemble outside the front entrance to the hospital at 12:50pm and you will be escorted through to the venue.

Teleconference facilities – media who are unable to attend, can dial in to listen to the conference, but won’t be able to ask questions.

The teleconference dial-in number will be sent out ASAP.

Please remember to mute your phone when you dial in.

Please attribute to Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive David Meates:

BOIL ALL WATER UNLESS IT’S BOTTLED

All water should be boiled – unless it’s been bought in a sealed bottle. That includes water from water tankers at refill stations Hand sanitiser has been ordered and is expected to be available from water stations later today. “We’re doing everything we can to minimise the risk of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea). Washing hands and boiling water are two of the most important things people must remember to do.

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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE – PLEASE DO NOT PHONE ON (03) 337 8937

IF YOU NEED MEDICAL CARE PHONE YOUR OWN GP FIRST

Phone your own General Practice Team first – if they’re not open a nurse will answer the call and direct you to the nearest GP practice that’s open.

If your own GP’s phone isn’t working, phone the Pegasus 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue – 365 7777. They have a team of nurses able to provide health advice. They can provide self-care advice on how to care for minor injuries and illnesses at home and direct callers to the nearest medical centre.

The Pegasus 24 hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue is open after hours 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 a 24 hour services to patients in Christchurch who are not able to access their own General Practice Teams.

About 70% (64) GP practices are operating today in Christchurch.

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

FREE GP CARE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY

Canterbury residents with urgent medical needs can visit a GP free of charge until Sunday.

PRESCRIPTIONS FEES WAIVED UNTIL SUNDAY

Patients will not pay the $3 co-payment or any other part-charges or premiums on their prescriptions until the end of Sunday.

OUTPATIENT SERVICES AT CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL

• All orthopaedic fracture follow-up clinics at Christchurch Hospital are continuing as normally scheduled.

• Patients with elective outpatient clinic appointments for non acute problems will be contacted by CDHB.

• General Practitioners will continue to refer patients for specialist assessment on the basis of clinical need, recognising CDHB’s limited resources.

• 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.

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.

FIELD COMMUNITY MEDICAL CENTRE

• An Australian Army field community medical centre will be set up at Cowels Stadium today. It’s a 75 bed hospital and will be utilised over the coming days. The field hospital arrived 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.

LIST OF GP PRACTICES THAT ARE OPEN (As at 25 February 2011)
Note: This list is subject to change. You should always phone your own GP first and if they’re not available you will be directed to the nearest

GP surgery that’s open.

Amyes Road Surgery open
Avonhead Surgery (Davey) open
Avonhead Surgery (Shand) open
Barrington Medical Centre open
Belfast Medical Centre open
Belfast North MEDIQUAL Doctors open
Bishopdale Medical Clinic open
Bryndwr Medical Rooms open
Cashmere Medical Practice open (limited hours)
Cashmere Health & Physiotherapy open
Christchurch South Health Centre open
Darfield Medical Centre Limited open
Doctors on Riccarton open
Eastcare Health open
Fendalton Medical Centre open
Ferry Road Medical Centre open
Grahams Road Surgery open
Greers Road Medical Centre open
Halswellhealth open
Harewood Medical Centre open
Helios Integrative Medical Centre open
Hillmorton Medical Centre open
Hoon Hay Medical Centre open
Hornby Medical Centre open
Hornby Surgery open
Isbell Medical Practice Limited open (limited hours)
Innes Road Medical Rooms open
Kendal Medical Centre open
Leeston Medical Centre open
Lincoln Medical Limited open
Lincoln Road Medical Practice open
Linwood Avenue Medical Centre open
Lyttelton Surgery open
Main North Road Medical Centre open
Mairehau Medical Centre limited, doing housecalls
Mansfield Health Practice
Merivale Medical Practice open
Moorhouse Medical Centre open
Mt Pleasant Medical Centre open
New Brighton Health Care open ( combined with New Brighton Village Health)
New Brighton Village Health Care combined with New Brighton Health Care
Normans Road Surgery open
North Avon Medical Centre open
Opawa Surgery open (limited hours)
Parklands Medical Centre limited
Papanui Medical Centre open
Prestons Road Surgery open
Promed Edgeware Doctors open
QE2 Medical Centre limited
Redcliffs Medical Centre open
Redwood Clinic open
Riccarton Medical Practice open
Roimata Medical Practice open
Selwyn Street Medical Centre open
Settlers Health Centre limited
Somerfield Medical Centre limited
St Albans Medical Centre open
Sumner Health Centre open
Straven Medical Rooms open
Travis Medical Centre open
Te Rawhiti Family Care open
Templeton Medical Centre open
The Surgery open
Upper Riccarton Medical Centre (Taylor/Olds) open
Upper Riccarton Medical Centre (HuntWheeler) open
Union and Community Health Centre open
Waimairi Road Medical Rooms open
Waltham Medical Centre open
Wainoni Medical Centre open limited hours
Woodham Road Health Care open
Yaldhurst Family Doctors open

DIABETES

The Diabetes Centre is closed until further notice. The CDHB diabetes team are offering a semi-acute service for people who cannot access their GP and have unstable diabetes or other serious diabetes-related issues requiring further advice or assessment. Patients who are unable to access their GP can phone 364 0640 to be put in touch with a diabetes triage nurse who is available 8am to 5pm only. If outside these hours contact the Bealey Ave 24 hour medical centre.

HEALTHLINE

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.

GPS WANTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WAIVED FEES

Can now call 353 9966 (Pegasus)

CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL IS OPERATIONAL

365 patients were treated in the emergency department in the first 24 hours after the earthquake.

Hospital services are continuing to provide care for hundreds of inpatients. Staff are doing a remarkable job considering everyone has been affected by the quake. All hospital buildings are constantly being checked for damage by structural engineers. Patient volumes are steady this morning.

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.

Maternity services continue to be busy, as is the neonatal intensive care unit. Babies continue to be transferred to other units around the country.

Orthopaedics and Cardiology services also remain busy. The emergency department is steady at the moment and managing the workload very well.

We are awaiting updated numbers of patients who have been treated/admitted and will include as soon as we can.

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 General Practice Team for information.

Possible Psychological Reactions to an Earthquake - Anxiety Disorders Unit, CDHB.

We have now experienced two major earthquakes and are continuing to experience ongoing aftershocks with significant consequences for many people. Following such immensely upsetting events, people understandably feel distressed. This can last days or weeks. Allowing enough time to heal physically and mentally is important to recovery, as is support from friends and family. Some people find it helpful to talk about what has happened to them, others prefer not to discuss it. Either strategy is fine, provided you feel able to choose what you do.

The earthquakes and the ongoing aftershocks have had their effects on everyone. It is common to experience the following responses:

• Fatigue and exhaustion particularly as time goes on.
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• Feeling frightened, on edge, nervous, and tense.
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• Sleep disturbance such as difficulty getting to sleep or waking often, waking early and not returning to sleep, and nightmares.
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• Being easily startled and looking out for danger.
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• Feeling various emotions such as fear, sadness, grief, guilt or self-blame, shame, irritability, anger or feeling numb or detached from self or others. You may also notice marked swings in your emotions.
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• Anxiety symptoms like a racing heart, rapid breathing, trembling, sweating, loss of appetite and stomach upsets.
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• Impaired concentration, decision making and memory which may obviously make us less productive.
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• Worrying about what might have been or having to deal with real ongoing concerns.
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• Feeling a sense of lack of control.
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• Thoughts and memories about the event continuing to pop into your mind, even days or weeks afterwards.
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• Feeling like the distressing events are happening again (i.e., flashbacks).
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• Feeling disconnected from reality, like you’re in a dream.
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• Increased conflict in our relationships, over-protectiveness or social withdrawal.
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Reactions can be triggered by further aftershocks, images (things we read or see), and particularly sounds, smells, or movements (such as shaking or swaying) that remind you of the experience.

Usually, these reactions will gradually lessen over the following days to weeks as we make sense of what has happened.

Many people have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and other valued aspects of their lives. Grief is a normal reaction to this and can take many forms, such as distress, anger, sadness, disbelief, guilt, and helplessness. Peoples’ reactions may differ; there is no “right” way to grieve and no “right” timeframe.

It is really important to allow yourself time to work through the experience of the earthquakes. There are many different ways of coping. These may include

• Talking to family, friends, neighbours and colleagues if this feels okay for you. This may help you feel less alone and more understood, as well as, leading to offers of help. If you do not feel like talking this is okay too.

• Trying to keep a regular sleep patterns (appreciating aftershocks may be disrupting sleep at times).

• Re-establishing usual routines if and when possible (e.g., housework, meals, interacting with others, exercise).

• Eating regularly and being mindful of nutrition.

• Keep physically active which helps reduce tension and anxiety.

• Pacing yourself by keeping busy and taking time to relax.

• Try to increase positive and engaging activities by doing things you enjoy or find satisfying you will improve your mood and less time to dwell. Everyone needs some sense of satisfaction no matter how small.

• Be careful not to overwhelm yourself or your family with excessive media coverage of the events because this may increase your distress at times. This may also apply to checking earthquake activity sites on the internet.

• Setting realistic goals, if you try to behave as you did before the recent earthquake you might begin to feel overwhelmed. Allowing a bit of space to come to terms with the earthquakes is important.

• Try not to become exhausted by trying to get everything done at once. This is a big challenge and will take time.

• Remember having more than four to six cups of caffeinated drinks per day may increase your anxiety levels, and interfere with your sleep.

• Try not to increase your use of alcohol or recreational drugs. These may initially relax you, but as they withdraw from your system, they likely will increase your anxiety and affect your sleep patterns.

There is no set way of doing this. Whatever feels right for you will work best.

A common concern people will often have is the reaction of children to such events. It is important to remember that children generally are resilient.

However, younger children may still be more clingy, be experiencing bad dreams (not always just about the earthquake), loss of appetite, and may complain of physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches.

Suggestions for supporting children include the following:

• Be supportive and reassuring, your children may need to be held.
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• Your child’s fears are genuine to them, this may include worries they may be separated from their parents and needing them close. Talk this through with them. Your child may want to re-enact or draw pictures about the earthquake, this is okay.
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• Listen to your child’s fears and explanations about what happened.
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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. Sixty three patients are being transferred today. 17 to Timaru and 29 to Oamaru with the rest going further afield.

Some rest home residents have gone home with family members or friends and it is very important that they 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 if via GP referral only.

Rest home staff are doing an amazing job keeping their residents safe and well looked after despite the trying circumstances.

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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

Rolleston Community Centre - A new welfare centre will open at the Rolleston Community Centre from 6 pm today with the capacity to take 1000 people. The Rolleston community centre provides improved facilities and has all utility services including sanitation and power.

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.

CHRISTCHURCH WOMEN’S HOSPITAL IS OPEN & RECEIVING PATIENTS

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.

ELECTIVE SURGERY AND OUTPATIENTS

All elective surgery and outpatient appointments are postponed until Tuesday.

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

Parkside Pharmacy (at the main entrance to Christchurch Hospital)

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

ENDS

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