Wards move to TPMH as part of earthquake recovery

Wards move to TPMH as part of earthquake recovery

The February 22 earthquake significantly impacted Canterbury’s health system and a number of changes are happening to sustain services and keep people healthy this winter.

As part of the Canterbury District Health Board’s (DHB) earthquake recovery plan, three wards from Christchurch Hospital’s Riverside block will be temporarily located at The Princess Margaret Hospital (TPMH) in Cashmere.

Canterbury DHB Director of Nursing Medical and Surgical Heather Gray says on the day of the quake Riverside block suffered some infrastructure damage to electricity and water supplies and patients had to be evacuated via stairs – because elevators were not available.

It has been decided not to reopen the fourth and fifth floors of Riverside to overnight general medical patients.

“However, it means Christchurch Hospital is down about 104 beds. With winter looming, it was vital a solution was found to accommodate medical patients in the interim,” Heather says.

The three wards at TPMH will provide about 75 medical beds while alternatives are explored for the Christchurch Hospital site.

Before the earthquake, TPMH’s wards 3B, 4A and 4B were administration offices but originally were built as medical wards. The DHB already opened 3B in March to accommodate patients from Ward 29 at Christchurch Hospital.

“All the wards have been refitted with medical equipment as well as sinks and sterilisers from Christchurch Hospital. They will be staffed by their usual staff and be called Wards 29, 30 and 31 at TPMH,” Heather says.

“There has been significant input from Christchurch doctors, nurses and allied health staff around the move, with patient care at the forefront of every decision.”

General Medicine Clinical Director Dr David Jardine says General Practitioners and the Emergency Department will still refer to Christchurch Hospital medical teams who will direct the patient to the appropriate location for inpatient care.

“It is expected medical patients who do not require a lot of intervention, such as regular MRI’s or subspecialist referrals but still require hospital care, will be cared for at TPMH,” Dr Jardine says.

“The priority is to make the transition as seamless and as easy as possible for patients and their families as well as for those who are looking after them.”

Although the reopening of the TPMH wards will provide extra medical beds and alleviate some of the pressure on services, there is still a potential shortfall of more than 20 beds.

This is why the DHB is also focusing on keeping people healthy in their own homes with the launch of CREST – Community Rehabilitation Enablement Support Team.

Canterbury DHB Planning and Funding General Manager Carolyn Gullery says CREST is a community focused initiative for vulnerable people living in the Christchurch region.

“It involves a multi-skilled team of health professionals who provide support to patients being discharged from Christchurch, Burwood and The Princess Margaret Hospitals,” Carolyn says.

“The service remains in close contact with patients, supporting them during their rehabilitation journey to ensure they are able to remain well in their own homes.”

In June the service is being expanded to allow general practice teams and the emergency department to refer patients directly onto the scheme. A wide range of support services will be available to match the needs of individuals.

“In addition the initiative will be part of the broader continuum of care for vulnerable people, ensuring a seamless transfer of services from hospital to community.”

ENDS

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