QUAKE - CDHB Media Update Wednesday 8 September 2010

Hospital Services

All non-urgent elective surgery is cancelled for the remainder of this week. This includes all pre-arranged admissions for Christchurch, Christchurch Women’s and Burwood Hospitals. Scheduled Caesarean sections and inductions will continue. Affected patients are being contacted.

Today’s outpatient clinics were cancelled. At this stage, the plan is to return to business as usual tomorrow. The message for the public is to come in if you can make your appointment – but if you can’t get in to your clinic the DHB will be in touch to reschedule at a later date.

There are still a large number patients requiring admission to cardiology.

Maternity services had an influx of women going into labour after this morning’s aftershocks.
Early this afternoon there were 23 women in labour.

Akaroa Hospital, along with Lincoln Maternity Hospital and the Burwood Birthing Unit remain closed.

All main hospital buildings have been re-checked following this morning’s after-shocks to ensure they remain safe and structurally sound. Engineers are continuing to work through all facilities identifying what repairs may be required.

Staff from around the country coming to assist

The Canterbury District Health Board has received generous offers of help from health professional colleagues from around the country offering to come and work. The Ministry of Health’s National Health Coordination Centre is coordinating the placement of appropriate health professionals to meet specific health system needs as identified by CDHB.

At the moment a team of health protection officers and a medical officer of health have flown in to help with water testing. Six more health protection officers and six medical officers of health arrive on Saturday to relieve the current team. Due to the current increased demand for cardiology services, we have requested specialist cardiology nurses to work in the catheter lab. Establishing a new temporary respite care facility at Princess Margaret Hospital has increased the demand for aged care nurses, and we have the first three coming from our neighbours at the West Coast to start work today.

CDHB is also after general registered nurses to work across a range of services to provide back up so staff can take time off to tend to important family and home matters.

Primary care have been overwhelmed by offers of support from colleagues around the country. Over the coming weeks it’s likely a number of visiting doctors, practice nurses and pharmacists will be rolling up their sleeves to help provide primary care for people in Canterbury. In the short-term local general practice and pharmacy staff are managing well, however, support is being coordinated by General Practice New Zealand, on behalf of general practice, pharmacy and the rural network. Primary care staff have been buoyed and reassured by the volume of genuine offers of back-up and support available.

Public Health messages

People need to take the following advice to avoid getting sick with stomach bugs and other illnesses.

Drinking Water

People living in the Christchurch, Waimakariri Districts should assume at the moment that tap water from town supplies is unsafe and contaminated until advised by the Council that it is safe.

People in Selwyn District who have their own private water supply should assume that their water supply is unsafe unless it has been tested. The town water supply in the Selwyn District is safe.

All tap water 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 jug should be brought to the boil twice

Councils will be testing water supplies intensively over the next few days and will advise when water is safe to use without boiling. Even though water may look clear, it should be treated as contaminated and unsafe to drink due to damaged underground water and sewerage pipes.

Drinking water supplies are being asked to obtain three clear E.coli samples (from consecutive days) prior to lifting “boil water” notices.

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 areas of standing water until notified.

People who have sewage contamination within their home should move out to alternative accommodation.

Toilets
People should be advised to use as little water as possible to flush toilets where water is available. Where water is not available, people should be 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 handwashing needs to be emphasised. 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. 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.

Dishwashers
People who want to use dishwashers should be advised that 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 are encouraged to look after each other. Advise people to keep in touch with families, friends and neighbours and support each other.

People who are unwell
Anyone who is unwell with a minor injury or illness and needs medical assistance should be advised to call their General Practice or nearest after hours surgery. The Emergency Department must be kept for emergencies only. If you need an ambulance dial 111.

Gastroenteritis
The Communicable Disease Team of the Community & Public Health Division of Canterbury District Health Board are monitoring any reports of vomiting and diarrhoea (gastroenteritis)

Treating gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is a stomach illness contracted through eating or drinking. Contaminated drinking water can cause gastroenteritis.

Symptoms can start 10 hours after contact with the virus and last up to 72 hours, although some people may be unwell for longer.

Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Vomiting is more common in children and dehydration can be a problem in young babies, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Gastroenteritis cannot be treated with antibiotics, CDHB recommends the following treatment and precautions:
· Drink plenty of fluids while the diarrhoea lasts to prevent dehydration – this is most important for infants
· See a doctor if vomiting and/or diarrhoea is severe or the illness does not improve.
· Stay away from school or work until you are symptom free for 48 hours
· Pay special attention to hand washing, especially after using the toilet.
· Do not prepare food for others.
· Always use separate towels and face cloths.

Temporary respite care facility set up at Princess Margaret Hospital
A temporary 20-bed respite care facility is being established in Princess Margaret Hospital.
The unit is being set up to meet the demand for short-term respite, primarily for older people and those with disabilities. Referrals to the unit are being managed through usual channels (GPs). The unit has accepted ten patients today, and they are generally people who are mobile, but require some nursing care and support for a short period of time. It’s expected respite care patients will stay for up to seven days.

Primary (GP) Care and Pharmacy services
General practice is up and running in Canterbury. If you need to see a doctor please phone or go to your usual general practice.

Pharmacies

Most pharmacies in Canterbury are operating as usual. If your usual pharmacy is closed go to the nearest pharmacy – your GP practice will be able to advise you. The Urgent Pharmacy in Bealey Avenue is now open its usual hours (i.e. after hours)

Health advice

Canterbury District Health Board recommends that people seeking health advice phone their general practice. The calls will be answered or redirected to a nurse 24 hours a day. In addition, Healthline provides free health advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week 0800 611 116.

Callers to Healthline are now presented with four options:

· Press 1 for influenza information (recorded information message plus option to go through to Healthline to speak with a registered nurse)
· Press 2 for Canterbury earthquake-related information (recorded information message plus option to go through to the Ministry of Health)
· Press 3 to speak with a mental health professional for advice and support regarding the earthquake (service intended for Canterbury residents)
· For all other symptoms and advice callers should stay on the line to speak with a Healthline nurse

Coping with a disaster & where to get help

Please feel free to circulate the attached one-pager which includes contact details of agencies who can provide support.