2016 August CM Health Connect+

A COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH PUBLICATION | AUGUST 2016

Valuing everyone at CM Health: PASIFIKA WEEK, MATARIKI, MAAORI LANGUAGE WEEK

In this issue NURSING AND MIDWIFERY AWARDS 2016

PAGE 7

ANNE’S SMOKEFREE JOURNEY

PAGE 6

BE WELL THIS WINTER REMINDERS

PAGE 19

Contents AUGUST 2016 1

From the CEO Geraint Martin

2

Guest Editor Margie Apa, Director of Strategic Development

2

Patient Whaanau Feedback

3

Pasifika Week 2016

4 Matariki 4

Maaori Language Week

5 Telehealth Connecting CM Health with Samoa

6

Anne’s Smokefree Journey

7

Nursing and Midwifery Awards

9

Carpooling saves money and is good for the planet

10

Middlemore Orthopaedic Surgeon pioneered fracture technique

10

Winner Auckland Transport Commute Awards 2016

11

Be well this winter Reminder

13

Integrated Care Reablement

14

Bowling Out Diabetes

15

Middlemore pharmacist funds own trips to provide vital service in Fiji

16

From the Board Dr Lee Mathias

17

Three Generations of Nurses at Counties

19

Keep Your Home Warm

21

Major Revamp for Café and Retail Area at Middlemore

22

Updates from Middlemore Foundation

Connect+ is produced by Counties Manukau Health. If you have something to share or would like Connect + delivered straight to your inbox please contact communications@middlemore.co.nz Sign up to our eUpdate at eepurl.com/bWGr0z

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jason Ranston | EDITOR: Susana Suisuiki

FROM THE CEO This is a tough time of year. We’re not just battling the doom, gloom and demand of winter, but we’re also approaching the end of the financial year and are busy locking and loading next year’s budget. I think that those two things together always make this time of year one of the hardest and busiest.

With that being said, staff have continued to deliver consistent, safe and quality care to patients and families who come through our doors. It’s that can-do spirit and commitment that never fails to inspire. It’s been a busy few months. Our organization went through a WOF or certification audit, which showed us what we do well, however, more importantly where we can improve (we will be sharing this in the coming weeks). We continue to reach our health targets, welcomed some new faces to the organisation and celebrated events such as Matariki, Te Wiki o Te Reo Maaori (Maaori language week) and Pasifika Week. We launched our telehealth project with Samoa, recognised staff awards and achievements and had a lot of fun and laughs along the way. During the next couple of months, we will be raising awareness about our Healthy Together strategy, while looking forward to the Diversity Ball in August and APAC Form in Sydney (September). If you haven’t got your tickets – there is still time. Just go to koawatea.co.nz for further information.

Lastly with winter still upon us, it’s important that we look after ourselves. That’s why this issue includes some tips on staying physically and mentally well.

Once again many thanks for the amazing job that you do. I get floods of emails that show how staff consistently go the extra mile. These examples always relate back to our core values: Kind, Valuing Everyone, Together and Excellent. Please keep these emails coming. They always brighten my day.

Enjoy this latest issue! It’s a great read.

Geraint

Guest Editor Margie Apa DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT

H

appy New Year! ….

Well, kind of. As at 1 July we started a new financial year which means a refreshed set of targets, goals, objectives etc... Some priorities have stayed the same and others have changed, got more, got less, bigger (not that many smaller!) … you get the picture. Our business year ends on 30 June and begins again on 1 July because we mirror how central Government’s budget cycle affects how we budget and plan what we do.

Most of us carry on with our work life revolving more around the ‘seasonal’ cycles (e.g. winter) that drives people coming through our doors whether it’s EC, inpatient admissions, practices or services in the community. Every year we reset our Annual Plan, Maaori Health Plan and Pacific Health Plan – the 16/17 year commitments were recently signed off by the Board during June. These plans hold significant aspirations for what we aim to do for our populations that deliver against Healthy Together 2020. You will find short summaries of these inside this month’s Connect.

A significant difference this year is that for the first time, we also have an Asian Health Plan. This is a first for Counties Manukau and recognises 26% of our population that is growing fast and, like Pacific, are not homogeneous. In other words, Chinese are as different to Indians as Samoans are to Tongans.

Given this rich diverse range of health need it was worthy of a significant focus as a separate plan. Between these 4 plans, everyone we serve in our communities is reflected in glorious diversity – they cover most of what we are responsible for delivering at varying levels of detail. Look for your name! You will find the full copies (some of which will read turgid because we have to follow central government guidelines in how we produce them) but it’s a great place to look if you’re wondering what else is going on in our local healthcare system.

Enjoy!

PATIENT WHAANAU

feedback

“I appreciated the professional behaviour and having all my questions answered clearly. When I [had] concerns, people took their time and things were explained clearly.”

“The staff were very professional, caring and supportive and informative.”

“As an older person …I appreciated being asked how I would like to be addressed, and that this was consistently adhered to...”

“What I really enjoyed was the same nurses being assigned to my care over the time where possible…”

BY: SUSANA SUISUIKI

Pasifika Week

2 0 1 6

For one week CM Health travelled around five Pacific Islands - well not literally but each day during Pasifika Week on June 20 - 24, various Pacific cultures were put on display that aimed to acknowledge the strong Pasifika influence and presence within CM Health and in the community.

This year marked the fourth year of Pasifika Week at CM Health focusing on ‘Achieving Health Equity for Pacific’ and for the first time Pasifika Week was also delivered across the region at both Auckland and Waitemata DHB. The Pacific Health Development team worked hard to ensure Ko Awatea came alive with performances, delicacies, panel discussions and presentations from representatives of Niue, Cook Island, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

The event was introduced to emphasise the health issues that affect Pacific communities and to connect with staff to gain a better understanding of the various cultures, values and beliefs so that Pacific patients or community are receiving quality healthcare.

Staff were also encouraged to decorate their wards or clinics. This was part of the competition which gained 13 entries. The Pacific Health team were blown away with some of the décors that adorned the wards around Middlemore Hospital, Manukau SuperClinic, Auckland Regional Dental South Teams and Puhinui Dental Clinics. Ward 24 was named as the winner for the ward category and Chapel Downs Dental Clinic won the clinical category.

Other highlights include the launch of Telehealth, where clinicians from Middlemore communicated with senior doctors in Samoa’s National Hospital via video calling, entertainment led by local schools, and the screening of the indie hit film, ‘Three Wise Cousins’.

Pasifika Week has come a long way since its inception and the Pacific Health team looks forward to delivering more insightful and exciting programmes for the years ahead.

3 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

BY: SUSANA SUISUIKI

Matariki

With frosty mornings and winter settling in, it was also a time of Matariki. Matariki is a the time to celebrate Maaori New Year.

Traditionally when a small cluster of seven stars came into view it signalled that it was a favourable period to harvest crops.

MAAORI LANGUAGE WEEK With a high number of Maaori people living in the Counties Manukau district it’s important that CM Health reflects the culture.

10 SOCIAL MEDIA AND IT PHRASES YOU CAN TRY AT HOME OR AT YOUR WORKPLACE!

• Facebook: Pukamata • Google: Kūkara • Netflix: Rangi Kiriata • Smartphone: waea atamai • Snapchat: Atapaki • Selfie: kiriāhua • Tinder: Pūahi Ipo • Twitter/to tweet: Tīhau • Website: pae tukutuku • YouTube: TiriAta

The name Matariki is the Maaori name given to a group of stars known as Pleiades. In songs and stories,a Matariki is the mother surrounded by her six daughters, Tupu-a-nuku, Tupu-a-rangi, Waiti, Waita, Waipuna-a-rangi and Ururangi.

Today Matariki has taken on a deeper meaning, particularly at CM Health where this year’s theme: “Our pepe are our whakapapa, a taonga to treasure” was an opportunity to reflect on creating a great future for our babies and children.

Rose Ikimau from Te Kaahui Ora says that it was important to have health messages around nurturing babies and children as this was the core focus of Matariki.

“We need to realise that Matariki is not only about a new year and harvesting crops, there is an emphasis on being able to feed our whaanau especially our pepe and tamariki

because if we don’t nurture them we will have no whakapapa and taonga” Babies born at Middlemore Hospital during Matariki were given a Safe Sleep onesie. Master weavers Shelley Bell and Tuaine Bailey demonstrated the art of weaving wahakura – sleeping baskets that ensure safe sleep for pepi.

Staff, patients and visitors at Middlemore were treated to daily performances from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Mangere. Their spine tingling kapa haka surpassing the audience and into the rooms of wards nearby. Young children from Te Kohanga o Reo o Pukeroihi also gave a delightful performance.

Matariki has become an event that CM Health looks forward to celebrating each year.

People constantly come away feeling more connected to the traditions and events that affirm the identity of Maaori.

Preserving Te reo Maaori at Counties This year Te Wiki o te reo Maaori (Maaori Language Week) was in full swing at CM Health with activities and competitions to test everyone’s te reo skills. It was a challenge that some departments had embraced, for instance the telephone services directory greeted all callers by saying ‘Kia ora’ (Hello) and ‘ka kite’ (Goodbye).

Maaori language week is an annual initiative led by the Maori Language Commission to encourage more New Zealander’s to speak and become more involved in sustaining the language. The theme ‘Akina te reo’ – behind you all the way refers to the use of te reo Maaori as a means to support people, to inspire and to cheer on.

The activities and competitions at CM Health were arranged by the Te Kaahui Ora Maaori Health team and this is the sixth year in which Maori Language Week has been celebrated in the organisation.

Te Kaahui Ora team encourages that

rather than supporting the speaking of te reo Maaori for just one week we should consider integrating the language in everyday conversations even if it’s little phrases.

“This is a challenge for everyone here in Counties to start thinking about the importance of Te reo Maaori. It is an official language of New Zealand and we should be proud that this language sets us apart from the world.”

“We love seeing people having a go, you don’t have to be Maaori to speak the language!

We hope that people at CM Health as well as the rest of the country see the impact and value our language has.”

Naku te rourou nau to rourou ka ora ai te iwi.

With your basket and my basket the people will live.

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 4

BY: SAMANTHA SMITH, MANUKAU COURIER

Telehealth:

CONNECTING CM HEALTH WITH SAMOA

People living in the Pacific Islands are now getting help from Middlemore Hospital.

5 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

People living in the Pacific Islands are now getting help from Middlemore Hospital.

CM Health has teamed up with Samoa’s National Health Service to use video conferencing to get support from clinicians for specialist treatment. The board has installed video capability in the National Hospital in Apia, Samoa and in four other hospitals within Upolu and Savai’i.

The video link called ‘Telehealth’ will be used for weekly meetings between clinicians in Apia and Middlemore Hospital and to prepare for patient transfers to New Zealand.

It also enables regional hospitals which are staffed only by nurses to get support from clinicians in Apia in acute or emergency situations. CM Health director of medicine Carl Eagleton says more than 50 specialists have indicated their willingness to contribute.

“It reflects the strong culture of support for Pacific people and the breadth of experience within the district health board.”

“It is also important to realise that many specialists visit the Pacific already in their own leave time to help and this is an extension of that commitment or as an alternative.”

New Zealanders who have fallen sick in

Samoa and have been hospitalised could now have New Zealand specialist input into their care and help coordination in timing and the need for repatriation back to New Zealand.

People from Samoa arriving at CM Health as visitors or those not eligible for New Zealand-funded healthcare would also benefit from a discussion on agreed treatment between doctors at Middlemore and their own country’s senior doctors.

“This will provide continuity for healthcare on their return to Samoa and also provide consistency about healthcare decisions made in their own country and New Zealand,” Eagleton says.

“I am looking forward to improved health outcomes for Pacific people and sustainable utilisation of money for healthcare in the Pacific.”

Regular healthcare discussion between the two countries will provide opportunities for continuing medical education and the building of a Pacific Healthcare Network.

The board will be looking at implementing the programme at other Pacific Island hospitals once there is a robust model that will be appropriately funded.

BY: JANET HALEY

y e n r u o J

Stick at it and find what works for you:

Anne’s Smokefree “My brother came to live with us and he became really, really sick although I had no idea how sick he was. He was diagnosed with COPD. Seeing what he went through was horrible, just horrible to watch. I did not want to smoke in front of him. He was so sick and was my driving force to stop smoking."

Although I was a chain smoker, I was determined to give up.

I went to a drop in clinic at The Cottage in Otahuhu and met a Smokefree Advisor from the Living Smokefree Team. I felt I could trust her. There was a connection, a caring that I hadn’t experienced before and knowing I had one-on-one, face-toface support and being with someone who understood made a big difference to me. I would look forward to my weekly visit.

Using Quickmist helped me through. At first I stayed away from friends who smoked but then I started going to the club

I belong to. All my friends were smokers. I ended up sitting inside knowing they were outside together having a smoke.

I wasn’t aware of how many people smoked. Luckily I had my Quickmist and I would use it to get me through those moments.

For the first few weeks, I had different ways to get through my cravings.

Slowly I began to feel OK being around smokers.

I turned my “smoking room” into my sanctuary. As I started to save money I bought myself some frangipani oil (it reminded me of home in the Cook Islands). I noticed I wasn’t sitting at the table for hours and hours - instead I was doing things for myself, building my sanctuary up.

My taste buds completely changed - my coffee had been so sweet and now I don’t need any sugar in my drinks.

I am really proud of myself to know that I achieved something that was hard.

I knew I could do it and it was possible. This is my journey; I want to share my story and what worked for me. Keep at it and you will find what works for you.”

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 6

Nursing and Midwifery Awards On Thursday 12 June we celebrated excellence in two of our organisations’ core professions – nursing and midwifery.

The 2016 Nursing and Midwifery Awards were a time to honour some of our top nurses and midwives, from those who are newly graduated, to those in senior leadership roles.

We were particularly privileged to have Esme Green join us and present the Esme Green Scholarship Award to Teena Renny Joseph. Esme was Middlemore’s first trainee nurse. She started working at Middlemore in 1947 when the hospital was first opened.

The top award of the night, the Director of Nursing Award went to Stroke Nurse Specialist, Pauline Owens. In recognition of her work Pauline received flights, accommodation and registration for the APAC Forum in Sydney.

BY: PENNY ARROWSMITH

7 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

Also of particular note was the presentation of the inaugural Primary Care Integrated Team of the Year. This new award was created by Karyn Sangster, Chief Nurse Advisor, Primary Care, in order to recognise the immense work that goes on in primary care. This prize was awarded to Pukekohe Family Health Care for their outstanding work in rolling out the ARI (at risk individuals) programme to over 450 patients at their practice.

Special thanks to Denise Kivell, Director of Nursing, for hosting the evening and to all our staff for submitting your nominations. We also wish to thank our guest speaker Nigel Latta, who entertained and inspired us.

View and download all the photos from the night at www.whitedoor.co.nz under “past events.”

Kidz First Service Award: Kirsty Goodin

Full List of Winners: GRADUATE NURSE/MIDWIFE AWARD: Nursing: Tania Fenton Midwifery: Gemma Withington Mental Health: Elenoa Hafoka Primary Care: Leah Bennett BEST SUPPORT PERSON AWARD: Nursing: Marcellino [Mars] Midwifery: Lalita Kumar Mental Health: Kenneth Flavell Primary Care: Michelle Gilbert MOST VALUABLE PRECEPTOR AWARD: Nursing: Natalie Harrison Midwifery: Jennifer Campbell Mental Health: Andrew Lambourn Primary Health Care: Susan Wharmby MIT Investing in Nursing Preceptor Award: Christine Whitmore EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE AWARD: Nursing: Phillipa Day Midwifery: Kelly McConville Mental Health: Yiwen Yuan Primary Health Care: Suzie King EXCELLENCE IN CLINICAL PRACTICE – SENIOR NURSE AWARD: Nursing: Marion Gibson Mental Health: Jeremy Stockton Primary Care: Karen Long Quality Improvement Award: Adrienne Batterton

Mental Health Service Award: Safe Practice Effective Communication Education Team with Kathy Moore, Alasdair Hastings, Michelle Atkinson and Richard Webber led by Denise Black Adult Rehabilitation and Health of Older People Service Award: Julie Yap Health of Older People – Residential Care Award: Alexandra Zemanova School Nursing Service Award: Kate Chitar District Nursing Award: Rapid Response Team at Franklin – Helen Lees, Karen Ballard & Susan Wharmby Primary care integrated team of the year service award: Pukekohe Family Health Care Critical Care Service Award: Jenny Stewart Surgical & Ambulatory Care Service Award: Annie Lee Medicine & Clinical Support Service Award: Susana Mogol Cancer Nurse Coordinator team: Anne-Marie Wilkins, Larissa Ferguson, Nazma Khan, Jo Norcott, Hannah Miller, Caroline Fowler, Leani Curtis, Jennifer van der Westhuizen, Kath Taylor, Suzanne Marshall, Vandana Singh, Claire Paul, Trish Leathem, Leilani Jackson, Tanya Weeks, Simileshni Kumar, Georgena Small University of Auckland Leadership / Innovation Award: Jacqui Wynne-Jones

AUT Midwifery Award: Lissa Yates

Emergency Care Service Award: Emergency Care Research Team – Debbie Hailstone, Sandra Neva, Rebecca Maquire, Wendy Sundren and Olivia Marti

Maaori Nursing Award: Sandra Neva

Leadership Award: Valerie Richardson

Pacific Nursing Award: Easter Harriet Pauga Fakaola Otuafi

DoN (Director of Nursing) Award: Pauline Owens

Women’s Health Service Award: Debra Fenton

Congratulations to our new practitioners: Jo Eustace Rubashnee Naidoo

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 8

BY: DEBBIE WILSON

Carpooling is an easy way to reduce costs, meet new people and do your bit for the environment - all by filling those empty seats in your car. People from all over the DHB carpool every day. It’s easy to sign up, and you’ll meet great people too.

Alex Boersma and Debbie Hailstone have been getting to work together for over seven years, riding their bikes in the good weather and carpooling when it rains. “I think it’s important to reduce the number of cars on the roads, too many people drive solo” says Alex.

Alex and Debbie particularly like the companionship, lower their travel costs and the idea of contributing to lowering our fuel emissions. They also enjoy the improved effects on their health when they choose to cycle.

Currently more than 10,000 New Zealanders are signed up to Let's Carpool and are going easier on the environment, and their own pockets by carpooling.

CM Health has dedicated access to the

national carpooling programme which enables employees to carpool with fellow CM Health workers.

Helen Pooley is also a regular carpooler, and has been for around eight years. She tends to carpool when she’s rostered on night shifts. “It is more fun travelling with others plus it makes me feel safer, especially when I’m driving in to work on the cold wintry nights.”

Michele Moore and Jo Eason “love to sing” have been carpooling for five years.

They joined the programme to save on fuel, help the environment and make the journey more pleasant. They arrive early to make sure they easily find a parking space and car pool together every single working day.

You can carpool when it suits you - you may choose to carpool one day of the week or make it your regular thing.

CM Health supports carpoolers by reserving priority parks at our sites.

Auckland Transport has recently established and transit lanes for carpoolers to use. There are nine dedicated parking bays found on the S Bend and the Western campus.

Pictured left to right: Alex Boersma, Service Manager, Emergency Department & General Medicine | Debbie Hailstone, Charge Nurse, Emergency Care | Jo Eason, Physiotherapist, Community Stroke Rehab | Michele Moore, Rehab Assistant, Community Stroke Unit | Helen Polley, Nurse and Green Clinical Champion, CCC

Log in to Let’s Carpool on SouthNET on the Travel Plan website.

Check out the CM Health Travel Plan page, Auckland Transport Facebook Page or the Let’s Carpool webpage for more details.

For more information e-mail Debbie Wilson debbiewilson@middlemore.co.nz 9 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

BY: MANUKAU COURIER

Middlemore Orthopaedic Surgeon

PIONEERED FRACTURE TECHNIQUE

BY: DEBBIE WILSON

r e n n i WAuckland Transport Commute Awards 2016

Counties Manukau Health is the winner of the Match Maker Award for encouraging carpooling by showcasing case studies of: • Staff that currently carpool

Middlemore Hospital orthopaedic surgeon Garnet Tregonning.

• Holding carpooling events

Middlemore Hospital orthopaedic surgeon Garnet Tregonning has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday honours list for his services to orthopaedics.

The Howick resident has been a member of the orthopaedic consultant staff at Counties Manukau Health since 1975 and has made a significant contribution to orthopaedics in New Zealand.

Tregonning was a member of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association Education Committee from 1991 to 1993 and was its chairman from 1994 to 1997.

Early in his career he introduced a modern method of fracture management to New Zealand which has since become widely established.

He was involved with teaching the technique for many years and was a senior trustee of the AO/

ASIF Foundation (Association for Osteosynthesis/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation) education group from 2000 to 2012. He has been a course director for those courses in New Zealand and the Pacific.

Chairman of the board of orthopaedic surgery at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in the late 1990s, he also served as a New Zealand examiner in orthopaedic surgery from 1998 to 2005, the last two years as chief examiner.

Tregonning headed Middlemore Hospital's orthopaedic department for 10 years and is a past president of the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association.

• Having dedicated carpooling spaces for staff that carpool.

‘Carpooling helps to reduce care related emissions, alleviates parking pressures, saves costs on fuel and parking and adds joy to your day since you can share stories with your carpooling buddy,” says Debbie Wilson, Sustainability Manager.

“To be recognised at the AT Commute Awards is a great achievement” For more information about carpooling, check out the Travel Plan webpage on SouthNET. COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 10

FAMILY DOCTOR

PHARMACY

SELF-CARE

Choose the right care for you.

Coughs and colds Rashes Pain killers Tooth aches

Eat healthy Get a flu jab Wash and dry hands Stay home if unwell

• Long term illnesses • Pain management

• • • •

• • • •

EMERGENCY 111

AFTER-HOURS

UNSURE?

• • • •

• • • •

bewell thiswinter.nz

Chest pain Head injury Severe blood loss Major accident

Eye injuries Mild asthma Sports injury Minor illness

• Call Healthline 0800 611 116

• Stubborn cold or cough

BY: PENNY ARROWSMITH

Integrat

Reablement: A new approach to delivering community health services within Counties Manukau Health.

A year after it was first piloted the Reablement approach is proving successful across the district health board. people to be as well as they can be in their own home, helping them to rebuild confidence, daily living skills and promoting community access and participation after a period of recent illness or injury. Stories like Dawn’s demonstrate how powerful this approach is at enabling individuals to regain function and independence, After a short stay at Middlemore Hospital Dawn felt sure that she would never be able to do all the things she previously could at home.

At the start I thought it would never happen. I told my son to sell the car.

I didn’t think that I would get out there again. However after being on the Reablement programme for six weeks Dawn regained her confidence and was able to do many of the things that she could do Independently prior to her illness, saying I have now managed to achieve my goal and that’s great. Success stories like Dawn’s are common within the Reablement approach, consistently patients report an improved quality of life and functional ability at the completion of the Reablement programme.

Counties Manukau Health is one of only three district health boards in New Zealand to deliver home based services using this approach, and the only district health board to offer this approach to adults of all ages.

The Reablement approach empowers

At present the approach is being rolled out for patients who have been admitted to Middlemore Hospital, however in future the approach will be available in Primary Care too.

For more information contact Yvette Hallam Yvette.hallam@middlemore.co.nz 13 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

•• The Reablement ethos is about supporting individuals to regain the confidence and ability to do for themselves rather than having things done for them •• The intensive 2-6 week programme supports people to reverse the de-conditioning that may occur after an illness or injury leading to improved functional ability, confidence, independence and quality of life •• General Practice Teams will soon be able to make referrals to Reablement •• The service provides support for people with moderate to complex needs who have the potential to benefit from an intensive period of two to six weeks of functional home assistance and communitybased rehabilitation Reablement is led by CM Health clinicians in collaboration with short-term home based support providers •• Since July 2015 the programme has had over 300 people enrolled •• Reablement will assist to ease the hospital demands during the winter period

BY: DIANE ABAD-VERGARA

ted Care A.R.I: Bowling Out Diabetes

There are days in my job that I have the privilege of meeting the brave, the determined, the vulnerable. Nothing beats those days. They look me, a stranger, in the eye, and compelled by the meaning and rawness of their health journey they find the courage to tell me their story. The joy and pain that I witness as their story unfolds is testament to the humanity of these incredibly inspiring people.

My recent trip to Waiuku Health Centre to hear remarkable stories of change taking place in this community was no different.

“I lay in bed some days and just cried all day,” says Alan Spacey. “

I could have ended it all. But through the Waiuku Health Centre and the programme they put me on, I found people who cared. Who had time to talk and work with me on solutions.”

me hard. I used to play bowls but I was feeling so tired. I had no energy and was really down. I never admitted it to anyone and it wasn’t until I saw something on the television about depression and I thought yeah that’s where I’m at.”

Through Waiuku Health Centre’s approach to people with long term conditions (ARI) Alan met Sarah Hewitt, a nurse that he would form a strong relationship with. Sarah was and continues to be a huge support through the changes that Alan needs to make.

“Sarah deals with everything.

I didn’t have to see multiple people. That one to one is so important. I get that extra time, a half hour slot. It no longer feels like I am seeing a doctor and rushing everything,”

Alan says it started off with routine blood tests that he would have to have every so often. He was on blood pressure and thyroid tablets.

“They noticed that all of a sudden my sugar level had shot up from the high minimum to way up – so I got called in.

Once diagnosed with diabetes I felt like I really needed to take things seriously.

The initial diagnosis was tough. It hit

came right down and we decided that I would come off tablets.”

Keeping an eye on his blood pressure they noticed that it was also starting to drop. Alan was able to come off all medication.

“I think the improvement in blood pressure was the fact that all that anxiety had gone out of my life, all of a sudden I was in a happy place.

Everything had gone, the pressure had gone. For the past few months my blood pressure has been fine and my sugar levels are in a safe range. I’m not tired anymore and I’ve taken up bowls again.

I’m out there talking to people. I need that social interaction.”

“Everything Sarah does with me is really positive. I have a target and something to aim for. It’s all had a really positive affect, I feel really good. My wife and I used to go out shopping and by dinner time I felt absolutely terrible. All of that’s gone. I’m happy.”

“Sarah has time to sit and talk through the whole process – the whole thing. She explains to me why ‘this’ is happening why ‘that’ part of the body reacts in a certain way. Together we work the whole thing out and see what is going wrong.”

Alan was put on medication and had his blood regularly monitored. Sarah also worked with Alan on other medical issues and his diet. He lost 10kg over the first two months.

“In the first three months the levels COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 14

BY: MANUKAU COURIER

RAJESHNI NAIDU GIVES A LONG-DISTANCE HELPING HAND TO THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST. She travels to Fiji each year with the New Zealand Sai medical camp team to do charity work by organising medications for poor communities.

The medication is funded by Sathya Sai international organisations of New Zealand but Naidu uses her own holidays, pays for her own flights, accommodation and food.

Paediatric pharmacist Rajeshni Naidu joined the Sai Medical Camp New Zealand team to do charity work in Fiji.

The Middlemore Hospital paediatric pharmacist says the medical teams know the health system in Fiji isn't great so they all wanted to do something for the poor people.

"Normally we have camps set up in Viti Levu but this year after Cyclone Winston we decided to go to the areas that had been affected hugely," Naidu says.

"There are two camps in each area, Rakiraki, Ba and Tavua.

We are there for six days and we set up and pack down the camps everyday," The medical team is a group of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dentists, optometrists and pharmacists.

The Papakura resident says they have around 500 people to see each day and no one gets turned away.

"Everyone gets screened - whoever needs more attention they then go through to the doctors, everyone also gets registered. In terms of pharmacy there is an average of 200-250 people a day who need medication."

15 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

Paediatric pharmacist Rajeshni Naidu joined the Sai Medical Camp New Zealand team to do charity work in Fiji.

Naidu says the medical teams stay at the camps until each person has been seen, no matter how late it is.

"The dental team spends the most time there, especially in the interiors as they don't have access to these services."

She says the time in Fiji is "quite intense" but it makes her feel as though she's doing something good and satisfying.

"We try and be calm to provide a service with love, not doing it for the sake of doing it. You can see the difference when you are actually doing it with your heart."

Naidu says while the teams are serving people it also helps them to grow as people and appreciate the things they have in life as well.

"I will continue to do it. I have told myself if I can do it, I will do it."

BY: LEE MATHIAS & JANET HALEY

Lee Mathias FROM THE BOARD

T I lead a pretty busy life both with my board work and my family life.

Keeping mentally fit is a really important part of my overall fitness regime.

Firstly, I rely on my diet, and eat lots of home grown vegetables, with small amounts of meat and other protein and carbohydrates.

Though I love bread, I need to treat them as a treat.

o combat the stress caused

by Auckland traffic, I walk or take public transport wherever possible. I try to stack up 10,000 steps a day but don’t panic if I don’t quite get there. Keeping physically fit is an important part of my mental health regime. My husband is still sailing competitively at 68, so it is a bit easier when you have a partner in training. I also do my ballet/Pilates cross most days and I can do that anywhere. That suits me but I also think that Tai Chi is a good choice for callisthenics stretching especially as we get older.

An important part of exercise is sleep. I aim to get eight hours a night (but usually only make seven!), the difference is huge in terms of my energy the next day. Good sleep, a good bed and peace and quiet is probably the most important part of my mental health regime, along with being organised and ahead of time. I tend to check my diary for the week every Sunday evening. I make sure that I know what I am doing, where I have to be and what preparation is needed. That preparation destresses me.

Moderation is important and with age it becomes easier not to sweat the small stuff. I do enjoy “wine at 5” but the key, as with most of life, is moderation. I enjoy social times with family and friends. My main hobby is my garden – not good at this time of the year.

I will be sowing my garlic and kumara in a couple of weeks, near the shortest day, and already have my brassicas and broad beans in for a good winter crop. Because of Auckland’s climate I keep my salad vegetables going all year round and I supplement those with carrots

and radishes almost continuously. There is something very satisfying about eating what you grow. I also have excellent compost, my friends laugh about my obsession with good compost!

Family is a huge part of my life. At the moment both my sons are off doing their independent 20’s thing, however we talk most days. My step children are a bit older, one new grandchild and another due later in the year. Family connectedness has always been important. We don’t let minor disagreements get in the way of long term happiness. I speak and see my siblings too, more so now than when we were younger. Reminiscences are an important part of knowing who you are and where you came from, a necessary part of confidence in your place in the world, being self- aware and insightful in relation to others.

Being connected to my community also supports my healthy state as it makes me feel worthy.

I am involved in a number of women’s groups, some to do with business and some to do with social need. I am also active in my community local politics so I have a strong sense of contribution and that makes me feel good. I think that most of us like to be involved and, although it sometimes takes effort, the rewards are huge in feeling good about myself.

My mental health is really just a part of leading a healthy life. It is not something separate from the rest of what I do.

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 16

THREE GENERATIONS

Of Nurses At Counties Last month, Georga Brinkman was the third generation of nurses to graduate from the MIT nursing programme, following in the footsteps of her mother, Manja Brinkman, and grandmother, Hendrieka van Weeghel.

Georga is now a Graduate Nurse in Radiology at Middlemore Hospital, joining Manja, who is the Clinical Nurse Manager in Women’s Health and Urology at Manukau Superclinic. Hendrieka worked in the Post-natal, Rehabilitation, Orthopaedic and Medical wards prior to becoming a Practice Nurse in Waiuku up until her retirement last year.

Over the past 32 years, all three have worked at Middlemore Hospital, across many of its wards.

“It’s fun for the three of us, seeing all the things we can share together because we’ve gone along the same path,” says mother Manja. “You have so many experiences in nursing, you can tell so many stories, you meet so many people from different ways of life. And they become part of you, and part of your story.”

Originally arriving from Holland in 1984, when Manja was just 11, the family has a strong connection to Manukau. “I’m a South Auckland girl,” says grandmother Hendrieka. “We’ve been a

“We’re immigrants; we don’t have that extended family,” says Manja. “But we have MIT, Middlemore Hospital, and nursing; they’re an extension of our family and our life experience."

South Auckland family ever since we arrived in New Zealand.”

For Georga, it’s meeting people who say they’ve worked with her grandmother. It’s that whole continuity.”

“I love working at Counties Manukau,” says Manja. “I love the diversity, and the view we have of life. As a nurse, you always want to feel like you’re making a difference, and I think working in South Auckland you do make a difference.”

17 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

Grandmother Hendrieka started her nursing career in 1968 in Holland, when at 18 years old, her friend suggested they sign up for basic nursing training together.

In 1984, she moved with her husband and four children to Mangere East and worked as an enrolled nurse at Middlemore Hospital. After 14 years, she decided to study for her registration through a Bachelor’s degree at MIT. She says she loved her career in nursing. “You work with people, I really love that. And no day is the same, that’s for sure.

It’s very flexible, so it’s worked very well at all stages of my life.”

For her daughter Manja, 43, nursing was always an ambitious career choice. “Manja has a big drive,” says Hendrieka. “She just goes for it. That is her whole life like that.”

Manja enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree when she was just 17 years old, the youngest in her class. “Nursing is one of those occupations where anybody can find their niche,” she says.

“I’ve gone through different stages in life too, where I’ve enjoyed different things.”

But granddaughter Georga, 22, was always certain she wasn’t going to follow that path: “I remember saying as a child, ‘I’m never going to be a nurse like my mother.’”

But part-way into a degree in criminology, she realised she was on the wrong track. “It was very wishy-washy, and I needed the black and white. I couldn’t work in the grey area. I realised I’m a practical person, I like to do things with my hands.”

Georga says “as soon as I started my work placements I saw the theory happen in real life, and it all clicked together and made sense. I’m excited now. I just want to be a nurse.”

Manja believes that it’s been unexpected turns that have taken them to where they are now. “We’re all natural born nurses, but we have different strengths,” she says.

BY: PENNY ARROWSMITH

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 18

Keep Your Home Warm And Reduce Your Power Bill With cold weather settling in it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your house warm and cosy this winter. Being warm will help to keep you and your family well. While this can be expensive it can save you money in the long-run – in time off work and doctors’ bills. As a guideline, the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health recommend keeping your house heated to between 18°C and 21°C during the day at 16°C at night. So here are 14 things that you can do around your home to keep warm this winter and reduce your power bill.

1

5

2

6

Make a draught stopper.

Draughts can make your house feel cold even when you are heating it. Using a draught stopper will help to block the gaps where draughts blow through – particularly under doors.

You can make one quickly by stuffing a sock with scrap paper, or get creative and sew one. There are lots of ideas on Good Housekeeping or you can follow these instructions from the Guardian.

It’s a great rainy day activity for the kids too.

Roll up a towel.

If you’re not able to make a draught stopper you can easily stop draughts by rolling up a towel and pushing it next to the door instead.

3

Let the sun in - open your curtains.

It’s much easier to heat your home when the air inside is dry. Damp air will always feel cold. Throw open the windows for five minutes every day and let the fresh air inside to dry your home out.

4

Dry washing outside or in the garage. This too will help to keep the air in your home dryer.

19 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

Close curtains as soon as it gets dark. Thermal curtains and blinds can help to reduce heat loss through your windows. Having your curtains and blinds open during the day and closing them just before it gets dark means your house can gain heat through natural sunlight during the day, and better keep that heat in overnight.

Your curtains should be as thick as possible, and be big enough to touch the floor and the walls next to the window.

Find a checklist list for qualities to look for in great curtains and blinds at Energywise.

Use blankets if you don't have curtains. If you don’t have curtains, hanging blankets from the curtain rail will work just as well.

Thick blankets or old quilts will work the best. Read more about how to make your own curtains from old blankets at Sustainablog.

7

Cover your walls.

Solid brick or stone walls can get cold and let out lots of heat.

Fortunately you can keep your house warm by covering them with pictures, mirrors and bookshelves - even a simple poster adds an extra layer of insulting air, raising the temperature by around 1°C.

8

Pick up firewood from the Waiuku Lions' Club. If you’re in need of firewood contact the Lion’s Club in Waiuku. They have a supply of firewood for people from the area. Email waiuku@lionsclubs.org.nz to find out more.

9

Find out about insulation programmes. Insulating your home makes you house more energy efficient and helps to keep your home at the temperature that you prefer (warm in winter, cool in summer). It will also improve the health of your family, and reduce your power bill.

Whether you're renting or a homeowner, there are programmes available to help you. These programmes range from free or subsidised options, to a financial assistance option that you pay back (plus interest) through your rates to the Auckland Council.

Read more about insulation options on the Auckland Council website, and find out exactly how insulation works on The Conversation.

10

Put down rugs or carpet.

Further prevent heat loss through the floors by using rugs or carpets. If you don’t have a rug use an old blankets or quilts instead. Just put some rubber no slide mats underneath them to prevent accidents.

11

Lay down a ground vapour barrier. Dampness from the soil underneath your house can creep up through the floorboards and into your home. A vapour barrier is basically a giant piece of black plastic that sits on the dirt under your house, keeping dampness underneath. If you’re able to easily crawl under your house this is good way to keep your house warmer and drier. Read more about how to lay a vapour barrier on Energywise.

12

Fill in the gaps and cracks.

Filling cracks around window frames will help prevent draughts from getting into your house.

Crack in the frame can be filled with putty bought from any hardware store.

13

Block unused chimney flues.

If you don’t use your fireplace to heat your home, and you have no intention of using it this winter it is a good idea to block it off.

A huge amount of warm air is lost up the chimney flue if it is unused and unblocked. To block your chimney fill a large clean plastic bag with scrunched up newspapers. Seal the bag firmly and push it up the flue. Remember you must remove the bag if you are planning on having a fire later on.

There are lots more tips for keeping your house warm and dry, and to help you cut down on energy bills at Energywise.

Follow their Facebook page for even more tips and advice.

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 20

BY: PAUL PATTON

Major Revamp

For Café And Retail Area At

Middlemore

Construction work on an exciting new retail and café precinct is set to start in July.

The area located on the ground floor of the Scott Building was formerly home to the Pulse Café, pharmacy, Fuku sushi takeaway and a general store.

Project Lead, Simon Watts says the completed renovation project will offer patients, staff and visitors a wide choice of food and drink options with the emphasis on quality and choice.

“Our vision is to create a true community heart for the Middlemore Hospital – a stylish and socially vibrant environment where people can either grab a takeaway or sit down and enjoy a drink or meal in a range of comfortable surroundings. We have been scrupulous in selecting operators who pride themselves on delivering delicious food and beverages with a particular focus on healthy options”.

Following extensive feedback from staff and patients, the new design will allow for a wider selection of food retailers including a signature café offer, and an independent, organic coffee provider who will also offer a delectable selection of on-the-go eats.

“The current development was created 10 years ago and it doesn’t reflect the tastes of today’s savvy consumers that expect a wider choice and a comfortable environment,” Simon Watts adds. “Staff will be offered a superior selection of freshly

21 | CONNECT + JULY 2016

made sandwiches, salads, breakfast options, hot meals, drinks and snacks as well as flowers, and convenience items.”

The stylish interior design will have a Pasifika influence and incorporate more comfortable airport-style lounge seating that will be complemented by quiet areas which offer privacy ideal for meetings. The shared seating zone will be furnished with an eclectic range of New Zealand designed and locally produced furniture.

In addition to the wider catering options, a more compact pharmacy will be created. The pharmacy will include the use of robotic technology making it one of the most technologically advanced and leading operations in the country. The new pharmacy will be managed and operated by the DHB under the management of DHB pharmacy service manager, Sanjoy Nand.

The outside area is also set to undergo a makeover to make it a more attractive place to relax with improved seating options and shaded areas.

During the construction phase, which is expected to last until the end of the year, the DHB has joined forces with a specialist market operator who will manage a selection of quality food trucks. An award-winning coffee operator will also be located outside the main entrance area.

Updates

BY: DAVID KEMEYS

FROM THE MIDDLEMORE FOUNDATION “CM Health staff do a lot of great work in the hospital and community but if they happen to be out shopping and see some cheap PJs, we would be incredibly appreciative,” campaign organiser Ankita Luthra said.

A trolley-load of help The Middlemore Foundation may raise millions for the hospital but did you know it also deals with hundreds of community organisations?

These community links mean our dedicated staff can deal with donations of toothbrushes to multi-million dollar O-Arms in any given week. Here are some of the items that they have collected and distributed recently: •• Nearly 10,000 pairs of pyjamas •• Magazines •• New and used books •• Thousands of items of new and used clothing •• Sleeping bags •• Sanitary pads •• Wool •• Christmas presents – and the paper and Sellotape needed to wrap them •• Blankets •• Linen •• Distraction and therapy toys •• Shampoo, soap, conditioner •• Flannels and towels •• Lego •• Furniture •• Food parcels •• Underwear and singlets •• Material •• Perfumes and personal toiletries •• Tickets to circuses and magic shows •• Bags •• Breast pads

Jammies in June Jammies in June is in full swing and it never fails to amaze Middlemore Foundation staff who organise it all, just what comes in.

The gold medal goes to Rhys Bean of radiology. Rhys became the first internal donor for the Middlemore Foundation’s annual Jammies in June campaign. By coincidence, some of the pyjamas he delivered were gone that same day, when an emergency call came in from a medical social worker.

Thousands of pairs of pyjamas have already been distributed, hundreds of blankets are about to land, and a new home has been found for a box of novelty winter hats.

The Vodafone Warriors and their fans have also made a major contribution, with volunteers out at the recent games, shaking buckets and collecting pyjamas.

“There’s been good take-up from a lot of new businesses, but we are struggling a bit because we don’t have the media support we have had in the past,” says staffer David Kemeys.

“But our good friends at Mellons Bay School fronted up again this year with about 130 pairs of pyjamas, doubling what they managed last year. All sorts of organisations are involved - from timber yards to law firms, so we will just soldier on.”

Throughout June the Middlemore Foundation collects pyjamas and gives them to patients and families who can use a little winter help.

Smile – you’re on camera Thanks Panasonic! Recently Jude Sprott at the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit in Otara was delighted to receive a new wifi capable video camera from Panasonic New Zealand It will be used to record patient stories and physiotherapy sessions, which can be sent to other physiotherapists, so everyone understands where a patient is on their recovery journey.

This is a great gesture that is going to make a big difference.

Because of deals with suppliers, cash is always king. You can help the Foundation by texting KIDZ to 5144 to donate $3 Just don’t do it from a work phone!

COUNTIES MANUKAU HEALTH | 22

Our shared values pledge Valuing everyone | Whakawhanaungatanga Make everyone feel welcome and valued

BEHAVIOURS PEOPLE WANT TO SEE Friendly, polite, develops relationships and trust Smiles, welcoming, approachable, introduces self Values others and is sensitive to cultural needs

BEHAVIOURS WE DON’T WANT TO SEE Rude, angry, grumpy, gossips and is unfriendly Condescending and disrespectful to others Culturally insensitive, dismissive of cultural needs

Kind | Manaakitanga

Care for other people’s wellbeing BEHAVIOURS PEOPLE WANT TO SEE Caring, compassionate, gentle and loving Supports physical, cultural and emotional needs Shows empathy and takes time to reassure you

BEHAVIOURS WE DON’T WANT TO SEE Rushes and does not take the time to support you Unavailable and leaves you feeling alone / isolated Disregards your cultural and emotional well being

Together | Kotahitanga

Include everyone as part of the team BEHAVIOURS PEOPLE WANT TO SEE Communicates clearly – uses terms you understand Listens to people, asks and welcomes questions Work as a team, involves and encourages others

BEHAVIOURS WE DON’T WANT TO SEE Unclear communication (jargon, one language only) Does not listen to you or take on board your views Works in isolation, ignores others’ ideas or input

Excellent | Rangatiratanga Safe, professional, always improving

BEHAVIOURS PEOPLE WANT TO SEE Inspires confidence in others through safe practice Professional, reliable, timely, efficient and thorough Always looking to improve practice and results

BEHAVIOURS WE DON’T WANT TO SEE Makes mistakes or doesn’t follow safe practice Wastes time, late, works inefficiently Negative about change, education, improvements

If you would like more information, email: human.resources@middlemore.co.nz | Produced by the Communications Team