Thursday, 3 March 2011, 6:08 pm Press Release: Canterbury District Health Board
Earthquake Update Eighteen – Canterbury DistrictHealth Board
Eastern Suburbs
Many residentsare still without electricity, water or access to toilets.Transport is also difficult because of the damage done toroads. it is dark at night in areas without power and peopleare feeling vulnerable. Around half of the 27,000 housescurrently without power are expected to be reconnected bythis Sunday. Diesel generators that can service 200 homes ata time are also being brought in.
More than 200 buildingevaluation teams, including 400 welfare staff and 50 searchand rescue staff, are visiting homes in the area andprioritising building evaluations, portaloos and chemicaltoilets to the Eastern suburbs and areas of greatestneed.
By the end of Saturday building evaluationinspectors will have finished assessing all priority areasin the Eastern Suburbs. only red-stickers are being issuedat this stage.
Eighty-six extra portaloos are going intoAvonside and Dallington today and 120 more will be arrivingon Friday for deployment in to the Eastern suburbs. 1200more portaloos are due by the weekend and will be deployedin areas of need. Chemical toilet distribution has alsobegun in the Eastern Suburbs. The first area being visitedtoday is the Avondale / Bexley area (the area within AnzacAvenue, and Pages, Wainoni, and Breezes Roads). there willbe one chemical toilet allocated to each household with acentral tank for disposal. Street-based portaloos will belocated on main arterial routes for easy access andvisibility.
The delivery of the chemical toilets isbeing hampered by heavy traffic on the road. Residents areasked to refrain from any non-essential travel.
Counselling and interpreter services
Aspecialist counselling service from Refugees as Survivors(RAS) is now operating from the PHO. this team of highlyexperienced people is available to any practice where traumaissues exist amongst those from refugee and migrantbackgrounds.
Apart from the Language Line numberavailable to general practices, a second number has now beenmade available by the Dept of Ethnic Affairs. this number0800 656 656 is available to ALL organisations andindividuals free-of-charge. Simply dial the number and askfor the language required. there may be delays due to highvolumes.
For face-to-face interpreters these are availableto all our general practices. Telephone 0800 INTERPRET toarrange this. please try and book ahead as it is seldompossible to arrange an interpreter at short notice.
Forthose requiring face-to-face interpreters outside of generalpractice, contact Wayne Reid , Ethnic Liaison Manager,Partnership Health Canterbury, 56 Shirley Rd,Shirley
CHCH Hosp/CWH combined campus – buildingsafety
Hospital buildings have been checked byindependent structural engineers.
Other than those whichare closed off or have restricted entry (clearly marked bytape, cones etc.) the buildings have been assessed as safeto occupy. “Green stickers” are being placed on thebuildings.
Christchurch Hospital Orthopaedic OutpatientDepartment
Christchurch Hospital OrthopaedicOutpatient Department have been open for normal businesssince last Friday for patients to come to their fracturefollow-up appointments, as booked, prior to the earthquake.a number of patients are turning up Bealey Ave 24 hourssurgery, where it is already busy. Patients should come toas arranged to Christchurch Hospital Orthopaedic OutpatientDepartment, unless they have been notified already of achange of appointment. Those who have missed theirappointment, or are unable to attend arranged appointmentsneed to phone the department on 3640 800.
ChristchurchHospital Relatives Centre
The Relatives Centre wasstood down yesterday. any enquiries can be directedto:
8am to 4.30pm Social Work Services Ph 3640420
After Office Hours and Weekends – Contact theSocial Work Clinical Manager via the Hospital Operator (3640640)
The Police have a Relatives Centre for enquiriesabout missing people at Papanui Police Station, Cnr MainNorth Road and Mary Street. Ph 363 7400 and ask for PapanuiPolice Station
Limited elective surgery will resume onMonday 7 March.
Elective surgery will recommence inChristchurch Hospital on Monday 7, with a reduced capacity.
St George Private Hospital is fully operational, and willalso be doing surgery next week.
Southern Cross will closefor the weekend, to give staff a break, and recommence daysurgery next week.
Consideration of the home environmentto which the patient will return will be part of surgicalpre-assessment, to minimise the risk post-operativeinfection.
Patient parking & shuttle bus forpatients
Patients with appointments at Christchurchand Women’s Hospital are asked to park at HillmortonHospital and catch the free shuttle which will take them tothe main entrance at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Parking will be free
Access to the parking at Hillmortonis via the main entrance on Annex road off Lincoln road andwill be sign posted. The shuttles will run from 08:00 to5:00pm Leaving Hillmorton on the ½ hour and ChristchurchWomen’s Hospital on the hour.
There will not be a pickup at Christchurch Hospital’s Riverside entrance – alldrop-offs and pick-ups will be from the front entrance atChristchurch Women’s.
Transport betweenhospitals
The interhospital shuttle will recommencefull service on Monday March 7th. 2 shuttles as per thenormal timetable will be running between Chch, Hillmorton,TPMH and Burwood Hospitals. there may be delays in arrivaltimes due to road conditions.
Detailed information on theavailability of Christchurch Hospital services can be foundon the cdhb website.
Visitors to hospital are reminded toclean their hands with alcohol gel before entering clinicalareas. this is available at the entrance to all clinicalareas.
Lyndhurst Centre is closed until Monday and womenwith appointments will be contacted by a staff member.Rangiora and Lincoln birthing units are open.
PrincessMargaret Hospital
A 24 hour ‘Transit Lounge’ hasbeen set up which will triage older vulnerable people in thecommunity who have high health or disability needs TheTransit Lounge will provide assessment and coordination ofservices. Access to the service is through SPOE (singlepoint of entry) 337 7765.
Meals on Wheels
Mealson Wheels recommenced service on Tuesday March 1st tosuburbs where Red Cross volunteers have safe vehicle access.an attempt has been made to contact all meal recipients andtheir next of kin to establish their meal requirements. Weare taking new referrals especially for vulnerable olderpeople who are being discharged from hospital or respitecare.
Meals on Wheels in Lincoln, Amberley and Rangiorahave had no interruption toservices.
Plunket
Plunket Area office isinoperable, and calls to that office are being forwarded toPlunketline. Area Office staff are operating out of thePlunket Centre and they can be contacted on phone348-9447.
Until further notice fax new baby referrals thePlunket Centre on 343-4335. Referrals that have been sentin the last week should be resent to fax 343-4335.Plunketline (0800 933 922) is available 24 hours a day, andis free to phone from a cellphone.
Plunket Post NatalAdjustment Programme (PPNAP) – calls to PPNAP are beingdiverted in the interim to Plunketline. FAX new referralsto 343-4335. PPNAP will be contacting current clients byphone.
Plunket staff will no longer be visiting theWelfare Centres as very few parents have required ourservices there. Plunket will still have a walk in serviceavailable at the Plunket Centre on Thursday and Friday thisweek at 5 Twigger Street.
From Monday 7 March PlunketNurses will be seeing families with new babies and thosewith babies under 10 weeks of age. Families with babiesbetween 10 weeks and 6 months of age will receive a phonecall from a Plunket staff member. If Practice Nurses, GPs,LMC’s or any other support personnel have a client theyare concerned about, phone 343-4335 and a Plunket staffmember will contact the client.
Plunket Car Seat RentalServices are operating out of the Plunket Centre at 5Twigger Street, Addington. they are open this week, Mondayto Friday, from 10am to 2pm. next week they will be openfrom 9.30am to 2.30pm. Phone 379-9266 and leave amessage.
Updated information on services will becommunicated regularly, and can also be found on our websitewww.plunket.org.nz and CanterburyPlunket Facebook.
Managing Liquefaction Silt Dust Risk
To reduce dust water will be sprayed onto silt onChristchurch roads. this water may be contaminated andpeople should avoid contact with the silt.
Advice forcleaning shoes and clothes after contact with silt/liquifaction
• Remove contaminated clothes and shoesbefore entering the house.
• Wear a protective face maskand gloves.
• Wash items separately, i.e. not with otherclothing or household items.
• Wash hands well, and usesanitiser before eating, drinking or smoking
MasksHigh winds create unpleasantly dusty conditions in manyareas Masks can be purchased from pharmacies and hardwarestores, and are being distributed from water tankers (alsohand sanitising gel). there is an adequate supply of masks,as the Pandemic supply has been released.
A reportrates as ‘low’ the health risk from dust generated fromearthquake liquefaction and sewage contamination followinglast year’s Christchurch Earthquake on September 4. TheInstitute of Environmental Science and Research report findsthe dust is largely a nuisance, which due to its smallparticle size can be inhaled into the lungs and exacerbaterespiratory conditions such as asthma. Christchurch publichealth staff advise that earthquake generated silt and dustfrom the February earthqualkes should be treated aspotentially contaminated and the usual precautions shouldapply when dealing with it. anyone exposed to the dustshould wash and dry hands, use hand sanitiser and wear amask if susceptible to dust. a copy of the reportLiquefaction Silt – Public Health Riskis availablefrom www.moh.govt.nz. (See separate mediarelease).
Public health messages
• Boil ortreat all water from taps and tankers before drinking,brushing teeth, or using in food preparation. Chlorinationof mains water will take time to take effect, so the CityCouncil will advise when it is no longer necessary to boilor treat water. If you cannot boil water, treat it by adding1 teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres of water andleave for 30 minutes.
• Waterways are contaminated withuntreated sewage. Avoid contact with rivers, sea water,ponds, puddles or other surface water. Do not fish, orgather shellfish or any other food from oceans andrivers.
• All liquefaction silt should be consideredsewage-contaminated. Wear water-proof gloves, gumboots and adust mask when working with silt. Shower or wash immediatelyafterwards and wash clothes separately.
• Wear anappropriate dust mask where there is a high amount of dust.Masks will be available at Welfare Centres, from OperationSuburb teams and from water tanker locations shortly.
Takecare when disposing of human waste (faeces, poo, vomit etc).Bury it in your garden or wrap it well in paper or plasticand put it in your red bin for collection. Wash your handsimmediately after dealing with any human waste.
• Washyour hands or use hand sanitizer after toileting, and beforeand after eating or preparing food. Free hand sanitizer isavailable from official water tanker sites.
• If you areunwell seek help. The majority of GPs in Christchurch arenow open to treat minor injury or illness. Dial 111 foremergency medical attention.
• If you are sick, try tolimit contact with other people, do not go to work and donot prepare food for anyone.
• Take extreme care withfood – particularly with food that should be refrigerated.Dispose of smelly, slimy, mouldy or discoloured foodimmediately. Do not refreeze food once powerreturns.
Gastroenteritis
There have been 42notifications of gastroenteritis since February 27, but thisis consistant with the number of notifications for this timeof year. The incidence of gastroenteritis remains sporadic,with no large clusters indicating an outbreak. Water is nowon to 70% of households. You must still bring to the boilall water used for drinking, food preparation and teethcleaning.
Do not swim in rivers and beaches where rawsewerage may be present. Locations include all beachesbetween the Waimakariri River and Lyttelton Harbour. Theaffected beaches include:
• Spencer Beach
• Waimairi Beach
• North Beach
• NewBrighton Beach
• South Brighton Beach
• Christchurch Estuary
• The beaches at Sumner andScarborough
• Taylor’s Mistake Beach
• All beaches in Lyttelton Harbour.
IT Systems supportprimary care.
Health Pathways is our unique Canterburyon-line clinical reference system that defines care pathwaysfor patients. it describes best practice in the managementof a wide range of conditions. In the two weeks covering theearthquake period, 6,862 visits viewed more than 30,000pages, and the traffic is remaining at nearly 3 times thenormal volume.
The day of the ‘quake, the BMJ offed NewZealand free access to their on-line ‘best Practice’guidelines. In the past 6 days there have been over 2,300visits to the website, and 15,618 sections werevisited.
The conditions in best Practice that are nowbeing accessed relate more to complications from initialserious injuries, and more minor conditions which may befrom patients who are presenting to GP’s rather thanhospitals. On March 1st there was an increase inpsychological conditions being searched. The condition’Critical incident stress management’ was accessed 87times.
In addition to computer access, over 200 sectionshave been visited from mobile phones. most of the mobilephone usage was in the first couple of days of access beingmade available – indicating that users were accessing themobile phone platform as a quick reference point – possiblywhen they weren’t able to access a computer.
At the sametime, the number of presentations at Christchurch HospitalEmergency Department are around 80 less people a day thanbefore the earthquake, after the huge spikes in the firsttwo days of the earthquake.
Free Urgent MedicalTreatment Extended
Free urgent medical treatment inGeneral Practice and no prescription fees in pharmacies forquake-related patients is available throughout the SouthIsland until Sunday March 6. this is being funded by theSouth Island DHBs.
The urgent medical care offer is alsobeing generously matched by major North Island generalpractice networks Procare in Auckland, Wellington’s Compassand the Midland Health Network (covering Taranaki, Waikato,some of Lakes and Tairawhiti). Christchurch evacuees in theNorth Island should ring first to check the intiative isbeing offered at their nearest practice.
In recognitionof GPs support, DHBs are waiving the usual deduction onCanterbury practices when their patients are treatedelsewhere until 6 March.
Community Medical Centre,Cowles Stadium, Pages Road.
The Australian Army FieldHospital will have it’s final day providing free primarycare tomorrow, finishing around 4pm Friday. The surroundingGeneral Practices are sufficiently restored to fully takeup the case-load from Saturday.
The facility will remainfor several more weeks to house health and community supportservices that are currently either ‘homeless’ of forwhich there is a significant local need. The mobilecommunity dental clinic will remain there, as willphysiotherapy services, and the 10am and 5pm psychologicalsupport/grief counselling services. Plunket will move toalternate premises next week.
100 of the 106 GeneralPractices are now open.
Below is a list of thoseeither relocated or still closed:
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1103/Chch_closed_SURGERY_03.03.doc
Belowis list of relocated and closed pharmacies:
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1103/Chch_closed_pharmacies_03.03.doc
AMOS
The‘a Message of Support’ (www.AMOS.org.nz) website hasbeen established with the help of Datam and NZ Post, wheremessages of support can be posted for health workersinvolved in the response to the ChristchurchEarthquake.
The website is a response to many requestsfrom health professionals and others from all over the worldwanting to send messages of support those at the frontline.Many people have benefitted directly from the efforts ofstaff and often want a way to say thank you.
The site willcarry stories about the work people are doing and visitorscan post messages up to 350 characters long on a generalsite or address it to specific areas such as the IntensiveCare Unit or the Emergency Department.
Through this site,people can also leave messages for other agencies such asPolice, fire, Red Cross and Civil Defence.
Helplines
ACC – people wanting to knowwhat their entitlements are: 0800 101996
Healthline – health advice 24-hours a day,seven days a week 0800 611 116 ,
Red Cross-to report missing people 0800 733 276.
Urgentmental health advice Psychiatric Emergency Service on03 3640 482 or 0800 920 092.
UrgentDental Care if you can’t contact your own dentist335 4260. Afterhours 027 683 0679.
Mealson wheels 03 337 7797.
Vulnerable older peoplethat urgently require assistance because of health ordisability needs should contact Older Persons Health on(03) 337 7765 for assessment andadvice.
Relocated older people – if you areunable to contact their usual aged residential care providerto confirm their location, please phone 337 8937 forinformation.
Dialysis helpline 0800881919.
Ambulance 111
Pegasus 24-hourmedical centre in Bealey Avenue – 365 7777
Water collection locations http://canterburyearthquake.org.nz/water-tanker-timetable-for-deliveries/
Christchurch Hospital Services Canterbury DHBwebsite www.cdhb.govt.nz
Water
Waterhas been restored to 70% of households. Tankers aredelivering water to areas without supply. You can alsocollect hand sanitiser, health information and facemasksfrom the Tankers.
The city’s water supply remainschlorinated. It’s important that you continue to boildrinking water. Chlorination will cease once repairs havebeen completed, and the water supply is safe.
A free-phonedialysis helpline is available on 0800 881919. any personwho needs dialysis in the metropolitan area of Christchurchand is at risk has been moved to the North Island. In thefuture chlorination may be a potential issue for people ondialysis, however, it is very manageable as filtration canbe fitted to the dialysis machine.
Canterbury HealthLabs
Canterbury Health Labs are fully operationalincluding their collection rooms at CHL (opposite mainhospital entrance), TPMH and Burwood. CHL collection roomswill also be open on Saturday morning 0800 – 1100 hours.Lab volumes are around 123% of normal.
TheDiabetes Centre and Diabetes Christchurch Society at 550Hagley Ave is closed. If you have any diabetes emergencies,please contact your GP in the first instance. If you areunable to find a GP, limited medical services are beingoffered at Cowles Stadium. a diabetes triage nurse isoperating from Christchurch Hospital and is available Mondayto Friday 8.30 to 5pm on 027 4543052. Alternatively callChristchurch Hospital 3640640 during these hours and ask tobe put through.
Diabetes test strips andmedications are free from your local chemist untilSunday 6 March. a limited supply of free meters is availableat Cowles Stadium.
Check on your neighbours andkeep in touch with family and friends
At times likethis it’s important to look out for elderly neighbours andothers who live alone.
Welfare Centres(Ministry of Social Development [MSD]) are currentlylocated at:
Pioneer Stadium, 75 Lyttelton Street, SpreydonBaptist Church, East Belt, Rangiora Burnside High School,151 Greers Road, Burnside Windsor School, 170 Burwood Road,Burwood Cowles Stadium (Pages Road) is an informationcentre that can link you to the support you need.Non-MSD welfare centres (set upand run independently) Ashburton, Rapki, Rehua Marae,Tuahiwi, new Brighton, Middleton/Akaroa, Caroline Bay
Adecision is expected soon about when Welfare Centres willbecome day-stay facilities only.
Work and Incomeoffices People can also visit these Work and Incomeoffices between 9am and 5pm weekdays and 9am to 4pm onweekends.
New Brighton, 26 Beresford Street Hornby, 25Shands Road Riccarton, 76 Riccarton Road Rangiora, Corner ofGood and Blake Street Kaiapoi Community Link, Unit 9 TheCrossings, 77 Hilton Street Ashburton Community Link, Corner of Cass and Moore Street Shirley, 203-205 Hills Road
Emotional responses to the recent crisis It’snormal to be feeling very stressed at the moment. Everyoneis affected in different ways. Some of us may feel veryanxious or low in spirits. Some of us may feel it’s hardto function. If you are worried about yourself or a familymember, please talk to someone in your general practiceteam. they can call on a wide range of mental health andcounselling services, and more counsellors are being broughtin to help.
Coping strategies – stress and anxietyThe Ministry of Health has created a series of factsheets with advice and coping strategies for peopleexperiencing stress or anxiety in the wake of this week’stragedy. these can be found on the Ministry’s website – www.moh.govt.nz – under the bannerheadline “Christchurch Earthquake”
Mental HealthNurses are available to provide support in the community.please phone your GP Team forinformation.
ENDS