CEO Update Monday 29 June 2015
Looking after ourselves this winter Winter has certainly hit home this week and in a devastating way. Together with Michael Frampton, GM People & Capability, I would like to acknowledge the sad loss of HR staff member Charlotte Armstrong who was tragically killed on Tuesday morning when her vehicle hit black ice near Gebbies Pass on Banks Peninsula. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. It’s a sobering reminder to us all to take extra care on the roads during winter, to check the conditions, and always drive, ride or walk with them in mind. As part of your plan to get around safely in wintery conditions, allow extra time for your journey. Harsh as our in-house weather warnings may sometimes sound, health is an essential service and we need you to get to work safely and talk to your manager early if for any reason you can’t. Check our adverse weather policy and consider what your alternative arrangements for getting to work might be, sooner rather than later. Above all though, stay safe.
Congratulations to everyone who has already had their flu jab and as always we are doing very well as a DHB, especially considering the vaccine was more than a month later this year. Our goal is to have 80 percent of staff immunised this year – a tough target, but tough targets have never held us back before. As well as getting your flu vaccine, make sure you look after yourself by keeping active and eating healthy, nutritious food which is more important than ever over the colder months. I know it’s hard to drag yourself outside or to the gym when it’s freezing, raining, or just plain miserable but I guarantee that making the effort will make you feel better and do wonders for your wellbeing. I’d also like to urge you to attend one of the Wellbeing Workshops if you haven’t already. Registrations are now open for the remaining 2015 workshops in July, August and September. There are also new Mindfulness sessions running twice a week at Ashburton Hospital, and don’t forget that for all DHB staff there’s access to free counselling for work or personal issues. Wellbeing is hugely important so make sure you take time out to look after yourself this winter. Before we can care for others we must first care for ourselves.
Miguel Lopez won a double movie pass for his selfie pic. Macpac drink bottles and a Body Shop pamper pack still up for grabs.
With winter taking hold, it’s not surprising many of us are getting a little under the weather with colds and flu germs starting to hit. It’s important to ensure you ‘immunise your selfie’ to protect yourself, your family and the people you work with, many of whom are in our care because they are vulnerable. Get your flu jab and don’t forget to take a ‘selfie’ pic and post it to our Canterbury DHB Facebook page by tagging it with #FLUHQ.
David Meates
CEO Canterbury District Health Board
In this issue »» Monday Facilities Fast Facts...page 3. »» Christchurch Hospital’s new Child Haematology Oncology Centre has a new resident...page 7.
»» Nurse Practitioner role making a difference for patients...page 8.
»» Why CDHB remote access needs another layer of security...page 10.
»» Dedicated Educating Units supporting nursing students since 2007...page 9.
»» Three weeks to go to the CDHB Certification Audit...page 14.
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