Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury Pānui Monday 13 November 2023

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Pānui Kupu Arataki – Introduction

Health New Zealand Canterbury News Issue No. 66 | 13 November 2023 | 13 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2023

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In this issue Kupu Arataki – Introduction... pg 3-8

Whakamihi – Bouquets... pg 16–19

QUIZ - Human-made wonders of the world ... pg 9

Ā mātou korero – Our stories

Ā mātou tāngata – Our people

› Three tools to support end of life care for people with dementia... pg 20

› International Pathology Day celebrated by the laboratory teams... pg 10-11

› Patient Safety Day... pg 21–22

› Smiles all round at Diwali celebrations... pg 12

› Diabetes Action Month... pg 24

› Farewell to much-admired leader... pg 13 › One minute with… Rajan Patel, Consultant Gastroenterologist ... pg 14

› Data provides insight into maternity care... pg 23

Pānui – Notices... pg 25–29

› Akoranga reo Māori 40 – Lesson #40 – Te manawa – The heart ... pg 15

Cover photo: Therapy dog Brigid lapped up attention from staff in Christchurch Hospital's Emergency Department last week

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Kupu Arataki – Introduction Pet therapy initiative off to a good start Following on from her successful visit to Ashburton’s Elizabeth Street Day Centre in September, Brigid the therapy dog from Canine Friends Pet Therapy, popped into Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) as part of an exciting trial initiative. Although we have therapy dogs regularly visit our health and aged residential care facilities, until now they haven't spent time in the emergency care areas. During her visit, she spent time in ED and Children’s Emergency Care, bringing smiles and joy to everyone she encountered.

The trial, led by Senior Medical Officer Kenneth Lo, has the potential to become a regular occurrence if proven successful. The positive impact was evident as both staff and patients were delighted by Brigid’s presence. The tangible benefits of pet therapy were clearly on display as the atmosphere in ED was transformed by having Brigid there.

Studies have shown that pet therapy can have a profoundly positive impact on people’s emotional and physical wellbeing and Brigid's visit was a testament to these findings, as her interactions with patients and staff left behind a trail of happy faces.

Therapy dog Brigid sharing the love in Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department

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World Pathology Day Last Wednesday 8 November was World Pathology Day and the hardworking kaimahi of Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) celebrated with some spectacular baking and a barbeque lunch.

The people who work in pathology and laboratory medicine have a profound impact on the health outcomes and wellbeing of just about every person we care for. They provide analysis and information that answer the most complex of health questions, enable diagnoses, and dictate treatments.

You can read more about World Pathology Day and the CHL celebrations on page 10-11.

Kaiārahi Service Manager – Specialist Services Dylan Davies was one of the cooks on the barbeque

Arthur’s Pass route daytime closures in December Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will be closing SH73, the Arthur’s Pass route linking the West Coast and Canterbury early in December for around two weeks.

The closures will affect travel between 10am and 6pm on weekdays only between Monday 4 December and Friday 15 December. The road will be open as usual on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December.

Around 342 metres of SH73 above the Rock Shelter below the viaduct on the Otira/West Coast side of the highway needs to be re-surfaced with new asphalt.

Drivers waiting for the 6pm opening will be paused at Arthur’s Pass village and Otira on each side of the Pass, where there are parking, café, and restroom facilities.

SH73 will be reopened fully each day outside the 10am to 6pm closure which means many people will still be able to make the Christchurch to West Coast link for daytime appointments.

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The finishing point of the renewal work – the Rockfall Shelter, below the Reid Falls Chute

The alternative route linking the two regions is to use SH7 through the Lewis Pass, Reefton and Waipara, which adds 40 minutes to the threeand-a-half-hour journey between Greymouth and Christchurch over Arthur’s Pass.

The open/closed status will also be visible on the Waka Kotahi journey planner and traffic and travel pages where any closures are shown: www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/highway-conditions/

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Waitaha radiologist recognised with Public Service Day Award Retired Radiologist Mike Hurrell was recognised in the 2023 te Rā Ratonga Tūmatanui | the Public Service Day Awards. The awards acknowledge public servants who exemplify the spirit of service and are making a real difference through their everyday work for New Zealand or New Zealanders.

Nominated by his peers, Mike made a huge impression on his patients, colleagues, and students during his 40-year career. He is highly respected having taught and inspired many generations of future medical imaging technologists, medical students, and radiology registrars. In addition, Mike was a Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Christchurch campus of the University of Otago and as a member of the Continuing Medical Education Committee and a Director of Training, he also volunteered as an examiner over many years.

Recently retired Radiologist Mike Hurrell has been recognised for his extraordinary 40-year career

Congratulations Mike on this well-deserved recognition of your contribution to healthcare.

Worldwide Stop Pressure Injury Day Worldwide Stop Pressure Injury Day is Thursday 16 November.

Pressure injuries (also known as bedsores or pressure ulcers) usually develop over ‘bony’ parts of the body due to sustained pressure, or pressure combined with shear and/or friction.

Those with decreased mobility and sensation are at increased risk. Pressure injuries can also occur because of pressure on skin from medical equipment such as nasogastric or oxygen tubing.

The effects of pressure injuries include pain, loss of function, reduced mobility, distress, prolonged treatment, septicaemia and even death.

With the right knowledge and care, pressure injuries can be avoided. All health professionals, carers, whānau members and patients have important roles to play in pressure injury prevention.

Worldwide Stop Pressure Injury Day aims to increase awareness of pressure injuries amongst the public, medical professionals, and politicians. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of pressure injuries and how to prevent them.

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Diwali Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, although variations are also celebrated in other Indian religions. It symbolises the ‘spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance’ and is celebrated between 9 and 12 November.

Many Te Whatu Ora employees celebrate Diwali each year including our ISG team who held a morning tea with several team members dressing in traditional Indian attire.

You can read more about Diwali and see other photos on page 12.

Some of the ISG team celebrating Diwali last week

Transgender Awareness Week This week we acknowledge and celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, a week to educate, advocate and support our transgender friends, whānau, kaimahi and patients.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, transgender, takatāpui and nonbinary people face poorer health outcomes. The trans community note that we as a country have come a long way but there is still much mahi to do towards addressing discrimination and creating more equitable access to housing, education, employment, and health services. Unfortunately, in recent years we have seen a substantial increase in online discrimination and harassment towards our trans community, making events like Transgender Awareness Week important to help increase understanding and empathy.

We have some great resources available to help bring about awareness, inclusion, and educate ourselves including a Trans Awareness Week Poster, Screensaver, Guide to Supporting Trans People, InsideOut Trans Video, Trans Health Webinar, Transgender Awareness Week Interview and a Transitioning and Gender Affirmation in the NZ Public Sector Guide. If you have any questions, please reach out to Akira.LeFevre@ cdhb.health.nz in our Equity and Diversity Team.

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International Fraud Week Fraud can happen anywhere; online, in-person, at home, and at work. Left unchecked, it can cost our public health system a significant amount of money, diverting funds away from where they are really needed.

So, let’s fight fraud! As part of International Fraud Week (12 – 18 November), the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office has provided a short video to help us identify the most common fraudster personas.

Fraud can include but is not limited to: › Deliberate acts of omission, such as undisclosed conflicts of interest. › Making or approving false invoices, expense claims or statements. › Giving false credentials or qualifications.

If you think someone is committing fraud, call the Health Integrity Line on 0800 424 888, an anonymous 24/7 phone line for reporting unethical behaviour in the health system. You can also log a report online.

We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and our workplaces from fraud. Report any suspicious activity without repercussions under the Protected Disclosure Act 2022.

Please refer to your local fraud policy for guidance.

Calling all knitters!

Christchurch Women’s Maternity and Neonatal Intensive Care Units are calling for donations of knitted beanies and blankets for newborns and premature babies. Supplies are running a little low so once again, we are asking for Canterbury’s enthusiastic knitters to help.

What do we need? › Baby beanies and blankets

› Knitted from wool only, not synthetic materials or polar fleece › Hats should have a diameter of around 11 – 12cm The items can be posted to: Maternity Ward Level 5 Christchurch Women’s Hospital 2 Riccarton Ave Christchurch 8011 They can also be dropped off at reception on the ground floor of Christchurch Women’s Hospital.

Thank you in advance to all who donate.

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Iron Māori Half Associate Physicist Christine Reed, Anaesthetic Technician Sheryl Marks, and Māori Health Worker Elsa Kipa competed as a team in the Iron Māori Half on 4 November in Napier.

The event is a half ironman triathlon made up of a 90km cycle, 21km run and a 2km swim.

Sheryl took the run, Elsa took the cycle, and Christine was to cover the swim. By midday the temperature was 23° making the event a little more challenging, but Sheryl and Elsa stepped up the plate and completed their course. Unfortunately, the swim leg was abandoned due to a tragic occurrence on the day. Tino pai for the effort to prepare, attend and compete ladies!

From left, Associate Physicist Christine Reed, Anaesthetic Technician Sheryl Marks, and Māori Health Worker Elsa Kipa at the Half Iron Māori in Napier on 4 November

Anatomical bake off The team in Perioperative Services holds an annual themed baking competition and the challenge this year was to create anatomical or ‘body part’ baked goods.

A selection of entries appears below. Well done to all the creative bakers.

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QUIZ - Human-made wonders of the world Throughout history, humankind has built some incredible structures. Many took decades to erect, and several are feats of engineering we still cannot fully explain. The fact that so many remain standing hundreds, and even thousands of years later, is testament to human ingenuity and survival.

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The Taj Mahal in Agra, India was built over a period of 22 years as a monument to love.

What type of building is it? a. Palace b. Museum c. Mausoleum d. Hotel

2. Which distance is greater? a. The length of the Great Wall of China (including overlapping sections that have been rebuilt) b. The distance between Christchurch and London 3. Where would you find the Christ the Redeemer statue? a. Vatican City b. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil c. Manila, Philippines d. Sao Paulo, Brazil 4. Established in 312BC, what wonder of the world once supported a population of up to 30,000 and is also known as the ‘Lost City’ or the ‘Rose City’? a. Petra, Jordan b. Atlantis c. Colossus of Rhodes d. Jaipur, India 5. Which of the following statements is true of the Pyramids of Giza? a. Completed in 2560BC, the Great Pyramids of Giza are the oldest and last remaining of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World b. The current popular theory is that the pyramids were built by Egyptian people as an act of civil service c. Despite the scorching heat that can often be felt in Egypt, the temperature inside the pyramids remains a constant 20C – the average temperature on earth d. All of the above statements are true

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6. During its glory days after construction was completed in 80AD, how many spectators could be seated in the Colosseum? a. 20,000 b. 30,000 c. 50,000 d. 75,000 7. True or false. Angkor Wat is the largest religious structure in the world. a. True b. False 8. According to recent radiocarbon dating, when is it believed that Machu Picchu was inhabited? a. Approximately 1250 – 1373 b. Approximately 1420 – 1532 c. Approximately 1790 – 1865 d. Approximately 1890 – 1911 9. Who built Chichén Itzá in Yucatan Mexico? a. The Aztecs b. The Mayans c. The Incas d. The Olmecs 10. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were in what now modern country before they were destroyed by an earthquake around 226BC? a. Iraq b. Syria c. Iran d. Saudi Arabia Check your answers on page 25.

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Ā mātou tāngata – Our people International Pathology Day celebrated by the laboratory teams Wednesday 8 November was International Pathology Day which serves to recognise the vital contribution pathology and laboratory medicine make to healthcare all over the world.

The people working in pathology and laboratory medicine are often invisible to patients and consumers, as they work behind the scenes interpreting test results, establishing diagnoses, and providing information to support treatments. Their work is crucial, and they play a pivotal role in the health and wellbeing of all of us.

Thank you to all the amazing people in pathology and laboratory medicine.

On Wednesday, the teams at Canterbury Health Laboratories (CHL) enjoyed a morning tea and barbeque lunch which were greatly appreciated by the staff.

Kaiārahi Service Manager – Specialist Services Dylan Davies served as one of the cooks on the day, along with Personal Assistant Kat Jones and Interim General Manager Gloria Crossley.

Dylan said the lunch was a big thank you to everyone who works in the field of pathology.

“The work they do and the impact they have on the health system is remarkable.”

Kaiārahi Service Manager – Specialist Services Dylan Davies (front) and Personal Assistant Kat Jones cooking up a storm

Interim General Manager CHL Gloria Crossley on BBQ duties

Personal Assistant Kat Jones serving the staff

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Some of the delicious (and science-themed) baking created by the talented staff

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Smiles all round at Diwali celebrations To celebrate Diwali, a group of kaimahi from Clinical Records and Coding led by Manoj Koyal, Ashwini Sharma, Neetu Karki and Amrita Singh organised a bright, colourful and delicious lunch last Friday.

This tradition continues now along with decorative lighting, shoppping, fireworks, puja (prayers), gifts, shared feasts and sweets where families gather and enjoy time together.

Manoj shared with the group how the Hindu Festival of Lights, which is celebrated throughout various Indian religions, symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness,, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Manoj says that this is the first time that Diwali has been celebrated at Clinical Records and judging by all the smiles, full bellies and kōrero happening, he is excited to make it an annual celebration of diversity and inclusion.

Those gathered learned that Diwali is the day Lord Rama, his ex wife Sita Devi and brother Lakshmana returned to their homeland after 14 years of exile.

Villagers lit a path for Rama who had defeated the demon king Ravana. People decorated their homes with clay lamps and created design patterns called rangoli on the floor using coloured powders or sand.

To help celebrate Diwali we have a poster available for you to brighten up your space here and we are also running a colouring competition for our Te Whatu Ora kaimahi to print, colour and scan back to ManaTaurite@cdhb.health.nz by Monday 20 November for your chance to win a Diwali prize.

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Farewell to much-admired leader A poroporoaki (farewell) was held for Interim Chief People Officer Jo Domigan last Thursday. Jo has chosen to resign from Te Whatu Ora due to her executive role being disestablished as part of our restructure. Her last day with Te Whatu Ora is Tuesday 14 November.

Jo’s whānau (her husband Chris and their five tamariki Barnaby, Frankie, Pearl, Abraham, and Jeremiah) attended the poroporoaki to support her, and see first-hand the warmth and affection people hold for Jo. Pou Whirinaki Ruru Hona was MC for the event which included a waiata, beautifully led by our Mana Taurite Team Coordinator Zak Newport with Executive Assistant Chris Pennington on guitar.

People were given the opportunity to share stories and memories about Jo which resulted in a lot of laughter.

As a values-based leader with aroha and manaakitanga (kindness and respect) at the core of everything she does, Jo always led with her heart and with the welfare of her people as her primary focus. During her time with Te Whatu Ora Waitaha me Te Tai o Poutini she has been a key driver for the positive changes we now see, and as a result has helped create a culture that is more open, trusting, engaging, and inclusive.

Jo sends thanks to everyone for all the gifts, coffees, flowers, morning teas, cards and aroha being shown to her as she leaves, and she is grateful for the privilege of serving our organisation for three years.

We thank Jo for everything she has done and will miss her warm and happy presence as she takes some time to have a well-earned break with her family.

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One minute with…

Rajan Patel, Consultant Gastroenterologist What does your job involve?

A combination of endoscopy and consultations along with with acute work and management of chronic diseases.

What pathway got you to this job?

I studied medicine at the University of Liverpool and completed my post graduate training in London. I’ve been in New Zealand for the last three years.

What advice would you give someone keen to enter your field?

Do it! A variety of interesting patients to see and great colleagues!

Start with an audit or abstract early in your post graduate training and come see us in Endoscopy.

Who inspires you and why?

Two of my consultants in Liverpool were instrumental in me applying to Gastroenterology training whilst I was a medical student in London.

One was an academic professor who took the time to mentor me through a project. The other was a trendy young gastroenterologist who spoke about the speciality with a lot of passion!

What do Waitaha Canterbury’s values (Care and respect for others, Integrity in all we do and Responsibility for outcomes) mean to you in your role?

Treat every patient you see as individuals with their own story. Treat them as you would want your own family treated.

If you could be anywhere in the world right now wherewould you be and why?

Christchurch! It’s taken a lot of training to get here and I’m exactly where I want to be.

Who would you want to play you if there was a movie made about your life, and why?

A young Brad Pitt.

What are some of the ways you and your whānau show their aroha/love for our planet?’

We recycle as much as possible and avoid processed foods.

What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?

I play cricket for OBC (Old Boys Collegians). Great bunch of lads! #beTHEclub If you would like to take part in this column or would like to nominate someone please contact Naomi.Gilling@cdhb.health.nz.

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Akoranga reo Māori 40 – Lesson #40 Te manawa – The heart

E ngā manawa popore, anei anō aku mihi ki a koutou.

To you kind-hearted people, here again are my acknowledgements to you.

This week we will look at that vital organ that is responsible for pumping blood, oxygen and other nutrients around our bodies – the manawa or the heart. There is another word in te reo Māori that may also be used for the heart and that is ngākau.

Kupu – Words While this is not an exhaustive list, it will allow you to become a little more familiar with some of the kupu Māori in relation to the manawa.

Kīanga - Sayings

Ia matua

Aorta

Manawa piharau - Determined until the end.

Ia tuku pūkahukahu

Pulmonary artery

Mānawanawa

Atrium & Ventricle

He manawa tahi, he manawa ora, he manawa toa, te manawa Kāi Tahu – A united heart, a vibrant heart, a determined heart, this is the heart of Kāi Tahu (also known as Ngāi Tahu).

Mate iaiamanawa

Cardiovascular disease

He whakapātaritari – A challenge

Kūititanga o te ia matua

Coarctation

Ia tuku ngākau

Coronary artery

Ine hikomanawa

Electrocardiograph (ECG)

Manawa hē, mate manawa

Heart attack

Manawataki

Heart rhythm

Toto puru

Heart valve

Mokowhiti

Heart beat

Ia auraki matua o raro

Inferior vena cava

Ia auraki matua o Superior vena cava runga Manawataki māori

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Kia manawa tītī! - Keep going and don’t give up!

Can you match any of the new kupu that you have learned with the picture above? If you utilise any of these kupu in your daily mahi, then try to replace some of them with the kupu Māori. Perhaps the next time a hoamahi or colleague needs a bit of a boost, you could encourage them to keep going by saying “Kia manawa tītī!”.

E mihi ana ki a koutou - Kaua e mate wheke e hoa mā, mate ururoa kē! - Ko te oranga tonutanga o te reo te take.

Acknowledgements to you all - Don’t give up like the octopus, keep fighting like the hammerhead shark –the ongoing wellbeing of the language is the reason.

If you have any questions or feedback, please make contact via the email below. Hauora.

Maori@cdhb.health.nz

Normal rhythm

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Whakamihi – Bouquets

Emergency Department (ED), Christchurch Hospital

Recently I attended ED with an episode of atrial fibrillation. A young male cardiologist managed my case. While he sorted my atrial fibrillation, he went above and beyond in my opinion. He noticed that my iron levels had been falling and said, "why is this happening?" When I said I didn't know he said he would give me an iron infusion, but I needed to urgently follow up this issue with my GP. I followed his advice and guess what - a bowel cancer was discovered! I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow to have it removed. CT scans suggest that the tumour is contained within the bowel, so my prognosis is good. If it hadn't been for that clever young cardiologist (sorry I cannot remember his name) who knows how many weeks or even months, I would have went not knowing that a cancerous tumour was slowly growing inside me! Well done to you and thank you!

Mary Milne, Midwife, Birthing Unit, Christchurch Women’s Hospital

I had the privilege of experiencing Mary Milne's exceptional service as a midwife at Christchurch Women's Hospital, and I can't express my gratitude enough for the extraordinary care she provided to me and our precious baby. Mary's warmth and personal care were evident from the very beginning. It was like having a motherly figure by our side throughout the entire birthing process. Her soothing words and reassuring presence made all

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the difference. I felt supported and cherished in a way that words cannot adequately describe. What truly sets Mary apart is her unique ability to instil confidence. As a first-time father my husband was naturally anxious about the birthing process, but Mary's guidance and expertise put him at ease.

Her knowledge, experience, and her incredible knack for making us feel safe and secure made all the difference. With Mary by our side, we felt empowered and reassured, knowing that we were in the best of hands. Mary's affection and care were extraordinary. She went above and beyond to ensure that my experience was as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Her dedication was evident in every aspect of her care, from the gentle way she communicated with us to the meticulous attention to detail she provided throughout the process. In the whirlwind of emotions and the excitement of welcoming our baby into the world, Mary was the rock that anchored us. Her unwavering support, compassion, and personal touch made our journey truly unforgettable. Our family will forever be grateful for Mary's exceptional service. Words can't adequately capture the depth of our appreciation for her kindness, expertise, and the love she poured into her work. If you are fortunate enough to have Mary as your midwife, you are in the best of hands, and you'll experience a level of care and support that is second to none.

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Ward B6, Christchurch Hospital

Between March and October, my daughter had an intermittent extended stay on Ward B6. Her chemo treatment has now finished, and she is an outpatient for her continuing care. Many made my daughter’s stay so much more bearable, to her and to our extended family. It was comforting to know how well she was looked after from all, who indeed became like a second family to us. Staff expertise and genuine heartfelt care was evident right from beginning to end. A well-coordinated and cohesive unit like this could not function without strong leadership, so thank you Sally for your team’s amazing work and care, it really mattered. You will all be forever remembered as to how important you were in this family’s life. With heartful thanks. I wish we could list all your names; you are all simply amazing people.

Ward 18, Christchurch Hospital

I was admitted to the hospital with terrible burns.

The care I received and continue to receive was above and beyond superb! Everyone, from the Hato Hone St John staff, to the nurses, doctors, front office personnel, catering assistants, and physiotherapists, were some of the most kind, caring, professional, and all out lovely people. You did an amazing job bringing me back to a much healthier state than I was upon arriving in your hospital. You kept my wife calm and in control at a most difficult time. Your service is first-class all the way. Thank you again.

Ward A7, Christchurch Hospital

We have been in the children's ward twice with our little girl in the first two weeks of her life and want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in her care for both stays so far. Too many to list by name and everyone was incredible, but as a mother I wanted to specifically name and thank Sarah as I have never experienced such holistic care and even though my daughter was the patient, Sarah went completely over and above to look out for my postpartum physical needs and emotional wellbeing. I'll never forget that kindness when I was in such a vulnerable place. We aren't officially discharged yet, so we'll get a chance to thank them in person hopefully but please pass on our deepest gratitude to the entire team.

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Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Christchurch Hospital

Please pass on my gratitude to all the ICU staff for helping our family go through the difficult journey during our father’s last days. They were so nice and helpful and informative. I think they try their best even though there was little to nothing they could do. They gave us time to get family in to be there for his last moments. Thank you again for your hard and difficult work.

Orthopaedics, Christchurch Hospital

I broke my wrist and I want to put in writing that I received excellent service from all those who I was involved with. A big thank you to everyone.

Ward 8, Christchurch Hospital

I was a stroke patient in Ward 8 and hospitalised for five days. Teamwork across disciplines –surgical, clinical, rehabilitative support (occupational therapists, stroke nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists neurology, ward, and nursing staff) was outstanding. I always felt informed and had quality, accurate, helpful information that supported my wellbeing decision making and self-management of care. I felt the different care services communicated with one another and kept up to date with my progress. The record keeping was completed in a timely way as rotational shifts could tell me what the latest advisement was for the next step in my care plan. I received timely information on request for tests that had been done and where further assessment and collaborative decision making was needed, a plan was agreed upon, appointments made, and care decisions were communicated and talked through with me. My whānau arrived to see me in the middle of the night as they had flown in from Gisborne. My daughter was allowed to see me. The new facilities provide a lovely healthful ambience that makes you feel staff like their work environment. I felt privileged to have an ensuite where I could grow in confidence before going home, that I was equipped and able to selfmanage independent living. All in all, the service and support were delivered by compassionate, well-trained, empathetic professional staff. Thank you, a million times over.

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Orthopaedic Outpatients and Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), Christchurch Hospital

My mother-in-law recently was a patient with a broken hip, and we were very impressed with the care she received. The nurses were excellent in keeping us up to date with her progress. When we visited the staff were friendly and helpful. I recently also had an appointment with ENT department and received excellent care.

Usha, Intravenous Technician, Christchurch Hospital

I want to give my appreciation to Usha. It was a struggle to take blood and put a line in – that was until Usha came. She was so good at her job, making it painless and quick. She is a star, and definitely needs recognition. She is also very friendly and pleasant. A+ Usha.

Alex Fox, Nuclear Medicine Technologist, Christchurch Hospital

I accompanied my mother to Nuclear Medicine for a scan. I wanted to provide praise for Alex and the nurse who assisted. Alex was particularly outstanding with the respect that he showed and care that he provided to Mum. Alex is a credit to your health service, and I hope that others may learn from the perfect example of patient care that he demonstrated during our visit. Bravo Alex.

ICU, Ward11 and ENT, Christchurch Hospital

Special thanks to teams at ICU, Ward 11, and ENT departments. Your care, understanding and professional approach is a credit to you all.

Ward 12, Christchurch Hospital

I would like to thank all the staff on Ward 12 for the extraordinary care I received when undergoing my TAVI operation. My husband and I particularly want to thank Gem. She welcomed me and spent a lot of time with me and my husband as we were both very scared and emotional. My hospital stay was made better because she took the time to explain things to me and she even came to see me after the operation. Even though she was busy with other people in the room my husband and I saw she was giving everyone her time. I felt very well looked after and can honestly say it was the best hospital experience I have ever had. Thank you from us both.

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Surgical Assessment and Review Area and Ward B3, Christchurch Hospital

My grateful thanks to the medical team on Ward B3 over the past five days. My husband died in their gentle care yesterday. The staff kept me informed of the situation all the time and it was very impressive.

Surgery, ICU and Ward B8, Christchurch Hospital

This was the first time I have ever had surgery, and it was a major one. I was nervous and planned for anything that could go wrong. I was a bit hesitant and was unsure about my care. When I arrived on the morning I was met by the lovely and friendly Nurse Pilar Fernandez and Student Nurse Mel. They were amazing, made me feel at ease and we even had a few laughs. That removed all the anxiety. Then I met the Anaesthetic team who were lovely and gentle. The surgical nurse who held my hand was an angel. I was so blessed to have had a phenomenal team who made me comfortable throughout everything. Simon John is a fantastic surgeon, and the surgery was a success. My care during my hospital stay was excellent. In Ward B8 Nurse Manju, was such a compassionate and caring nurse and very attentive. She was fabulous!

Nurse Felix was also lovely and so funny and caring.

The cleaners, the hospital aides and the catering assistant were all so lovely and genuine. Everyone involved in my care went above and beyond. Thank you for everything, and for the service and care you all provide. You are all amazing individuals who truly make a huge difference!

Fiona Agnew, Medical Secretary, Christchurch Hospital

Fiona has been lovely with all the communications, very aware and makes sure that any questions or uncertainties are addressed. It takes a selfaware person to pick up on things, she is not just a secretary. She is someone who can easily make connection even though she doesn't see me and doesn't know what I look like. She has so much experience and has that touch. I'm very thankful and grateful for her and the work she does.

Ward 10, Christchurch Hospital Very good people.

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Evenjaline, Catering Assistant, Christchurch Hospital

Evenjaline is an asset to your catering team. We have had many years in hospitals with my son’s heart condition, my daughter’s brain surgery and youngest son’s asthma. We know how certain people can make a difference good and bad with your stay. She is definitely someone who makes the stay in hospital better. She has a way about her that makes her special. We know how hard it is sitting all day beside your child or loved ones with mixed emotions. The days are long and boring. It is the first time that we have had our son in the adult ward. Going from the children’s ward to adults is a huge change. Evenjaline is one of those people who changes the atmosphere with her thoughtful, bubbly nature. She makes each and every person in the room feel special. It was amazing listening to each of the patients in the room change their moods as she addressed each of them politely and with empathy as she passed out the meals. She brought joy to the ward. We were so grateful for her care today and you are blessed having her on your team.

ED, Christchurch Hospital

I was very concerned about my son’s health, so we rushed into ED. Every single person we dealt with was amazing, the nurse at check-in to the nurse that we were greeted with, they were five-star and had an amazing bedside manner. The doctor also was fantastic. Just wanted to give feedback as I know you are all very busy and under pressure at times, but from me and my son we loved our experience.

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Ward B3, Christchurch Hospital

Excellent service, helpful orderlies, wonderful nurses.

ICU South, Christchurch Hospital

The staff have been amazing. I’ve spent a lot of hours sitting with my dad and the nurses have been very friendly and understanding. They never made me feel like I was in the way. The doctors and nurses always make time to explain how he is doing and answer any questions. Despite the crappy situation they have made this week a whole lot easier.

Orthopaedic Outpatients, Christchurch Hospital

I have been really impressed and appreciated the service I have had. Everyone has been very friendly, efficient, and competent. Thank you all and well done!

Ward B8 and Ward 14, Christchurch Hospital

Special thanks to Sophie Tudehope for her soft approach, respectful interactions, and genuine care. Thank you to Michelle Barr for her patience and compassion, and to Claire Lawson for her perseverance in obtaining palliative care for Mum. In Ward 14 thank you to Hongyun for her genuine care and compassion and to Nurse Aide Dorothy for saying goodbye every shift and looking after Dad. Immense thanks to Mohammed Farmey for not giving up on my mum. We are forever grateful.

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Ā mātou kōrero – Our stories Three tools to support end of life care for people with dementia Three tools for end of life care that can be used by those who support people living with dementia in aged residential care have recently been released.

Supporting people living with mate wareware (dementia) at the end of life is a huge privilege, but also an experience that many in heathcare teams feel less than confident about, says Lead Researcher Psychiatry of Old Age Susan Gee. “This new resource aims to help.”

Mate refers to being sick, ill, ailing, unwell and diseased, while wareware means to forget or be forgotten.

The South Island Alliance’s Dementia End-ofLife project set out to listen to a wide range of healthcare staff about challenges for best practice end-of-life care for people living with dementia mateware, she says.

The project identified three existing evidence-based tools that, when used routinely, can help address these challenges and support high-quality, personcentred end-of-life and palliative care for our people living with dementia.

These are:

› Talk. Shared goals of conversation: When: as early as possible What: early discussion around care planning How: Shared goals of care conversations support the person and whānau to express what is important to them and their preferred achievable goals for care before times of crisis. It can help us to understand, document, and respect what is important to them. › Teamwork. Multi-service/multidisciplinary team meetings When: Periods of instability in the disease progression What: Collaborating and communicating across services How: Multi-service planning is activated in response to unstable or complex changes. All relevant teams review the case to facilitate an integrated, holistic approach to the resident's care. This coordinated collaborative approach can efficiently enable access to consultation and

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expert advice across services so that complex issues are considered jointly.

› Te Ara Whakapiri. Guidance for last days of life: When: the last days of life What: An individual plan of care that address physical, mental, social, cultural and spiritual issues How: Te Ara Whakapiri is activated when a person is identified as actively dying. Te Ara Whakapiri provides a structure to build an individualised care plan and offers tools and resources for bestpractice end-of-life care. It can help us ensure good quality end-of-life care and a dignified death that respects what is important to the person and their whānau. It includes supporting the whānau during and after the death.

Nurse Practitioner Margaret O’Connor, who has been involved in the project, says the overall message is simple.

'It's all about communication. These tools heighten communication with residents, families, and next of kin. I’ve noticed how implementing them means the journey is much kinder because it gives everyone a lot of reassurance and time to prepare.”

A new website here has resources and videos to help familiarise people with the tools, which will be of particular interest to anyone supporting those with dementia mate wareware who will be spending their last days of life in aged residential care.

You can also find out more about shared goals of care more generally on PRISM here.

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Patient Safety Day Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission is promoting Aotearoa Patient Safety Day | Te Rā Haumaru Tūroro o Aotearoa 2023 on Friday 17 November.

The theme for 2023 is ‘Engaging consumers and whānau for patient safety’ with the tagline ‘Elevate the voice of consumers and whānau’.

Co-design is an effective tool to support consumer and whānau engagement. It is a term used widely in Aotearoa New Zealand to describe the involvement of people in the design of healthrelated processes, services, information, models of care, strategies, environments, and policies that impact them.

It intentionally brings consumers, whānau, communities and health care providers together to understand their experiences and gather their ideas for improving the health system and health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Te Tāhū Hauora, Health Quality and Safety Commission, is marking the day with the release of a video about elevating the voice of consumer and whānau through co-design and applying the code of expectations for health entities’ engagement with consumers and whānau. It features insights from Consultant Cardiologist at Te Whatu Ora Nelson Marlborough Tammy Pegg, kaiwhaihua at Changing Minds Jodie Bennett, and members of the Te Tāhū Hauora consumer advisory group Te Kāhui Mahi Ngātahi.

Director of Consumer Engagement at Te Tāhū Hauora Deon York says the video is an introduction to the benefits of co-design as an effective tool for elevating the voice of consumers and whānau in our health care services.

‘By embedding the voice of consumers, whānau and communities in health system planning, evaluation, governance and delivery, we can have a safer and higher-quality health system for all of Aotearoa New Zealand.”

You can watch the Aotearoa Patient Safety Day video on youtube here.

This link will also be included in the daily staff email on Thursday.

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In Waitaha Canterbury, examples of ‘engaging consumers and whānau for patient safety’ are seen in co-designed projects, patient experience surveys and feedback given directly to staff.

Every fortnight Te Whatu Ora Waitaha invites consumers of our services to participate in our patient experience survey. The results from the patient experience survey provide a wealth of information for teams to use and feedback from the survey is used to monitor and improve the care provided. More information on the Patient Experience Survey is here.

Executive Director of Allied Health, Scientific and Technical, Jacqui Lunday Johnstone, highlights the value of understanding how people experience healthcare.

“We know that individual experiences of care can really impact on both outcomes and future health seeking behaviours. Getting insights into how the experiences of care have made consumers and whānau feel can change our thinking and even our priorities for improvement as part of our co-design approach.”

Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Volunteers Manager, Louise Hoban-Watson’s, team of volunteers is ideally placed to hear feedback from patients and visitors.

Acting on this feedback has led to improvements in seating at the busy Christchurch Outpatients building that sees around 4000 people attending appointments and waiting for the shuttle or whānau to collect them, she says.

“Our volunteers noticed that people were struggling and often at times in need of assistance to get on and off the chairs.

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It was at this point it was noticed all the chairs on the ground floor are of the same standard height and style. We are pleased to be able to say this has led to an improvement via an application to the Christchurch Hospital Volunteers for funding for higher style chairs to make it easier for patients to get in and out.

“A different coloured chair was sourced as they are easier for people to spot and for staff to replace when they have been moved. We hope that all people that rest on these seats will find them comfortable and make them feel confident in their movements.”

The kōrero mai, patient and whānau escalation of care project is a great example of co-design.

Consumers worked with staff to develop a process for patients, their whānau, carers, and support people to use to speak up and communicate their concerns if they feel a patient is getting sicker.

Kōrero mai, which means 'talk to me' in te reo Māori, was one of the Health Quality and Safety Commission’s workstreams in the broader national patient deterioration programme.

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The process was first introduced in Paediatrics, then spread to Maternity, with the roll out to the Emergency Department and Adult Inpatient areas at Burwood Hospital and Christchurch Hospital in July this year.

Ongoing consumer engagement was an important part of the spread of the kōrero mai process across the hospitals and enabled the process to be improved along the way.

See and hear more about this project here: Quality and Patient Safety - Patient and Family Escalation (cdhb.health.nz) Further support and free resources about co-design are available on the Te Tāhū Hauora consumer hub, Ngā Pae Hiranga, at www.hqsc.govt.nz/consumerhub/engaging-consumers-and-whanau and more information is on the Waitaha / Canterbury intranet site Quality and Patient Safety - Aotearoa Patient Safety Day - Te Rā Haumaru Tūroro o Aotearoa 2023 (cdhb.health.nz) Thank you to all staff at Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury for all their mahi in elevating the voice of consumers and whānau.

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Data provides insight into maternity care

by Midwife Manager, Oromairaki Maternity Unit, Bronwyn Torrance.

Data from midwife-led birthing units in Canterbury was shared last week by midwife managers at the hui/presentation of the annual report for the 2021/22 Maternity Quality & Safety Programme (MQ&SP).

The data on birth outcomes for māmā and pēpi is collected to inform and support midwifery practice and to inform decision-making for wahine and their whānau around planned place of birth.

Each birthing facility in New Zealand can compare obstetric interventions and outcomes with a national dataset – the Maternity Clinical Indicators.

This in turn guides regional quality improvements under the umbrella of the MQ&SP. What the clinical indicators do not show is what happens for women or babies after transfer from a community unit to hospital if required. There is however national and international research on maternal and neonatal outcomes showing differences by planned place of birth, including transfer to hospital.

This body of knowledge is therefore what the midwife-led units in Canterbury use to benchmark.

Community birthing units are recommended to women with a low level of risk because they are more likely to have a normal birth and less likely to receive intervention, with no increased risk to baby.

Birth and transfer outcomes across the three birthing units located in Ashburton, Rangiora and Lincoln remained similar. For example, the most common reason for transfer to hospital was delay in the first or second stage of labour, and the overall number of transfers aligns to the research.

The chance of transfer for a woman giving birth to her first baby is higher than for a woman having a subsequent baby. In May of 2022, Lincoln Maternity Hospital closed and on the same day, Oromairaki Maternity Unit opened in the Selwyn Health Hub.

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The first year of data following opening showed a higher rate of transfer than usual for first time mothers from Oromairaki.

This was not a surprise and has now reduced to the number expected as familiarity and confidence in the new unit has grown within the community and for midwives.

The rate of neonatal retrieval across the units also remains low, and the longest length of stay in the neonatal unit was 12 days. Despite the initially higher number of transfers to hospital from Oromairaki, all outcomes for māmā and pēpi born within two hours of arriving at the hospital, were good. Positive outcomes such as those presented for community units in Canterbury, are reliant on a good system of transfer.

Midwife Manager Ashburton Maternity Centre Julie Dockrill updated participants at the hui on an improvement to ambulance transfer from Ashburton that has greatly reduced waiting times.

She reported that the ethnicity of the population and context due to distance from hospital was different from the other units, and that up to 30 percent of the childbearing population in the township, birth in their local unit.

Rangiora Maternity Unit Charge Midwife Jen Cunningham also spoke about an improvement to strengthen collaboration and understanding with Hato Hone St John and Fire and Emergency New Zealand that she has been leading this year for the Rangiora Health Hub. For the women who started their labour in Rangiora, Lincoln or Oromairaki, more than 90 percent birthed vaginally, regardless of birthplace. This reflects the strength of wahine and their whānau, supported by Lead Maternity Carer midwives working alongside the midwives in the community unit as one team (as they do in Ashburton), and the obstetric expertise of the multidisciplinary team at the hospital if intervention was required.

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Diabetes Action Month Tuesday 14 November is World Diabetes Day. Here in Aotearoa, we are also marking Diabetes Action Month, which is an opportunity to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes on the health of people, and to highlight the opportunities to strengthen the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it does produce. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood and insulin helps glucose get into the cells.

Sneaker Friday is a fundraising event taking place on Friday 17 November, encouraging New Zealanders to support people living with diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing health crises in New Zealand. Participating in events like Sneaker Friday can really help make a big difference to people’s lives.

Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term, high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.

There are three main types of diabetes: › Type 1 – Is an auto-immune condition whereby the pancreas does not produce insulin at all › Type 2 - The pancreas makes less insulin than it used to, and your body becomes resistant to insulin. This means your body has insulin, but stops being able to use it

Get involved in Sneaker Friday.

› Gestational diabetes – Is higher than normal blood glucose levels during pregnancy caused by not producing enough insulin (a pregnant woman’s insulin needs are two to three times that of normal). Blood glucose usually returns to normal after the baby is born.

1. Wear your sneakers on Sneaker Friday (17 November)

It is estimated that around 300,000 New Zealanders are living with diabetes, mostly type-2. Diabetes is almost three times more common in Māori than non- Māori. In addition, for Māori aged 45–64 years death rates due to diabetes are nine times higher than for non-Māori New Zealanders of the same age.

You can take part as an individual or as part of a team. Head to the Diabetes New Zealand fundraising page, click on Sneaker Friday, and follow the instructions.

2. Donate online to support Kiwis living with diabetes

3. Check out Sneaker Friday events happening near you.

Diabetes New Zealand is a charitable trust that has represented and supported people with diabetes for more than 50 years. One initiative for Diabetes Action Month is Sneaker Friday.

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Pānui – Notices Something For You

Something for You is the Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha Canterbury employee benefits programme. The deals offered are from the New Zealand business community to say thank you for all that you do.

Please see below offers for you.

ZEN SUSHI & DUMPLINGS - 301 Montreal Street, Christchurch Central

ORBIT WORLD TRAVEL - 225 St Asaph Street, Christchurch Central

Receive 10 percent off all purchases - show your staff ID card to redeem.

Orbit Travel has a dedicated Leisure Team to ascertain the best fares for your personal travel, either call 03 339 3727 or email orbitholidays@orbit. co.nz and let them know you are a Te Whatu Ora employee.

ORIGINAL SIN - Cnr Hereford Street and Oxford Terrace, Christchurch Central Get 10 percent off food and beverage for both families and groups - show your staff ID to redeem.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other promotions/ offers. Click here for additional offer.

RICCARTON SHOE CLINIC - Riccarton Mall, 129 Riccarton Road Get 20 percent off all items in store (which are not already reduced) for Te Whatu Ora employees and their immediate family members - show your staff ID to redeem.

QUIZ ANSWERS – Human-made wonders of the world 1. c. Mausoleum

2. a. The length of the Great Wall of China (including overlapping sections that have been rebuilt) – The Great Wall of China is 21,196km long and the distance between Christchurch and London is 18,964km.

3. b. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

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4. a. Petra, Jordan

5. d. All of the statements are true 6. c. 50,000 7. a. True

8. b. Approximately 1420 – 1532 9. b. The Mayans 10. a. Iraq

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Location: Addington School Wednesdays 4th Oct – 13th Dec 2023 5-7pm - come when you can.

Lessons are FREE. Bikes & helmets provided. www.radbikes.co.nz/bikebridge bikebridge@radbikes.co.nz Check Facebook page for updates.

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Save this date!

Sex & consequences – A New Zealand update Thursday 23 November from 1pm to 5pm Salvation Army, corner of Salisbury and 853 Colombo Street, Ōtautahi Christchurch The programme will include clinical updates plus social / community topics related to sexual health.

Please put this date in your diary and plan to join us – in person or on Zoom.

Ann Vanschevensteen Health Promoter - Sexual Health Te Mana Ora (previously Community and Public Health) Email: ann.vanschevensteen@cdhb.health.nz

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NOVEMBER

FRIDAY

rs on e k a e n s r u o y Wear pport u s o t r e b m e v Friday 17 No diabetes h it w g in v li Kiwis

It’s easy to get involved!

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2

Simply wear your sneakers on Sneaker Friday

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Donate online to support Kiwis living with diabetes

Check out our website for Sneaker Friday events near you

Learn more, or make a donation now!

www.diabetesactionmonth.org.nz PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY:

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S N A TR s s e n e r awa k e e w

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-1 3 1 r e b novem

Trans people are whānau

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