Connect+ June 2023 Winter

TUUHONO HONO

Olympic gold medallist Dame

Valerie Adams is working with the Middlemore Foundation to warm up winter for 10,000 kids with the Jammies for June campaign.

“Too many children from our community are being admitted to Kidz First Hospital with respiratory illnesses because they live in cold damp houses," says Dame Valerie.

Jammies for June provides pyjamas to children at Kidz First Hospital, Kidz First Community, and the 76 primary schools that the foundation supports through the Mana Kidz School Health programme.

Read more on page 13.

TUUHONO HONO Web countiesmanukau.health.nz

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EDITOR: Nikki Allan

DESIGNED by Sarah Cordtz

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From Vanessa Kia ora taatou

Winter is upon us and with it comes an increase in a wide range of respiratory conditions including COVID-19, flu, measles and whooping cough/pertussis.

Here at Counties Manukau, we are have geared up for winter and all our services have made preparations to ensure that we are well-placed to provide the best possible care to those who need it.

In order to help, it is important that you know where to go if you do get sick – whether that be your GP, local urgent care clinics or even ED - but please remember that ED is there for conditions that threaten life or limb.

If you’re not sure, you can always call Healthline on 0800 611 116. This free service, available 24/7, is staffed by an experienced team including nurses, paramedics, health advisors and other health workers. If in doubt, please give this great service a call.

And please make sure you are up to date with your vaccinations – this can have a hugely positive impact on you and your family’s wellbeing.

Ministerial announcement

In some really positive news for our District, Climate Change Minister, James Shaw visited Middlemore to announce all remaining coal boilers will be removed from hospitals by the end of 2025.

Minister Shaw told us: “The burning of fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – is the primary cause of climate change, while polluting the air, and harming health – so ensuring our places of learning and our hospitals kick this habit is the obvious choice.”

It is great to be given the opportunity to make our District more sustainable and do our part for the environment.

Acknowledgements

Finally, I want to make mention of some rather special days on our calendar - Administrative Professionals’ Day, International Midwives Day and International Nurses Day.

What an awesome bunch of people we work with, and I want to acknowledge the vital part these kaimahi play in making our organisation what it is.

Kia pai too raa!

Dr Vanessa Thornton

Interim Lead Hospital and Specialist Services

When the temperature drops, we all run a higher risk of health problems and injuries related to the weather, so it’s important to take extra precautions at this time of year.

We have spoken to some of our health leaders to find out what we need to do to keep well in the colder months and where you and your whaanau can go to get support and advice.

Kate Dowson, General Manager for Primary Care, says that people often think there's going to be a long wait to see their GP so they don't call them.

“While some GPs are really busy for non-urgent appointments, they will see people if it's urgent, so please ring them, and they’ll do everything they can to fit you in.

“If they can’t see you, they’ll tell you where to go, so it’s worth calling.”

You can also call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 anytime 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They can give you trusted health advice, treatment, and information about what to do next. You can also choose to speak with a Maaori clinician if you’re calling between 8am - 6pm.

Dr Campbell Brebner, Chief Medical Advisor for Primary Care, says “our health system is under the pump at the moment because of the legacy of COVID and the backlog of preventative work that needs to be done as well.”

So, what can we do to try to keep well?

“Eating well, getting exercise and getting enough sleep are actually really important to support your immune system and fight off infections.” (See our stay well tips on the next page).

prepared:

“If you have a long-term health condition, go to see your GP to make sure you have a plan in place for managing it, and have all the medication you need close by.

“For example, if you have asthma, know what you need to do in terms of increasing your preventative medication, and escalating the treatment if required so that you don’t end up in hospital.”

Dr Brebner says that vaccination is also a very really important part of looking after yourself and your whaanau.

“If you’re six months past your last booster or COVID infection, there is a new booster available for you. The thing that’s important about this one is that it’s a bivalent vaccine and it’s more effective against the new variants than the original vaccine.

“The flu vaccine is also important as it is deliberately targeted to address the strains we’re most likely to get here.”

This year the flu vaccine is free for children from 6-12 years, pacific people and anyone over 65 years with a long-term health condition.

“Many people would also benefit from a whooping cough booster, but certainly pregnant people should definitely get their boosters in the second trimester of their pregnancy.”

This winter, pharmacies can help you for free Over winter, Te Whatu Ora is funding participating community pharmacies in Counties Manukau to provide health advice, and if needed, free medication for minor health conditions.

Minor health conditions are things that can be managed with advice, self-care and in some cases over the counter medications.

keep you and your whaanau well this winter

Be

The Minor Health Conditions Service is for:

• Maaori and Pacific people

• Children under 14 years of age, or whaanau members of a child with similar symptoms*

• Community Service Card (CSC) holders

*For example, if the pharmacist gives your child medicine for scabies and you, or brothers or sisters also have symptoms, they may give advice and medicine to all of you.

These are some of the minor health conditions that your pharmacy can help you with for free during winter:

• Acute diarrhoea

• Dehydration

• Eye inflammation and infections

• Scabies

• Headlice

• Pain and fever

• Eczema/Dermatitis

• Minor skin infections

This programme started Monday, 12 June and will run until Saturday, 30 September.

Extra tips for staying well over winter

Vitamin D:

This is really important for your immune system. If you don’t get a lot of sunshine or you have darker skin, then it may well be worth getting Vitamin D supplements.

Have a plan:

If you have a long-term condition, think about how you’ll manage it e.g see your GP early and make a plan.

Drink water:

Staying hydrated is really important, water is the best choice.

Get help early:

If you’re starting to feel unwell, call Healthline or talk to your pharmacist for some advice.

Got a fever:

Take Panadol and stay hydrated. Fever itself isn’t a worry but if you have long-term health conditions get advice early from Healthline, your pharmacy or GP.

Free vaccinations

Check your whaanau are up to date with all their immunisations by talking to your healthcare provider – flu, COVID, measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), whooping cough, Meningococcal B, and childhood immunisations.

COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities while the flu and other viruses such as measles and whooping cough are on the rise.

There are many things we can do to avoid these illnesses and keep ourselves and others well this winter:

• wear a mask in crowded spaces

• stay home if you’re feeling sick

• keep up to date with your vaccinations

• test for COVID if you have symptoms.

Cold homes contributing to sick kids this winter

Our Adult Emergency Department and Kidz First Children’s Emergency Department sees an increase in respiratory disease and illness most winters - with the statistics for respiratory disease in Pacific and Maaori being higher than other ethnic groups.

In Counties Manukau, respiratory illness is a leading cause of hospital visits and hospitalisation in winter for both children and adults.

Adrian Trenholme, Paediatrician at Kidz First says Influenza, COVID and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cause a lot of these illnesses.

“While there is no vaccine for RSV as yet, there are good vaccines for COVID and Influenza.

“Vaccines in pregnancy protect young infants from day one and this is even more important now with the upsurge of whooping cough illnesses in babies.”

Adrian tells us that Measles is also circulating and can cause bad chest infections.

“The best thing whaanau can do to protect each other, especially the very young and very old, is to make sure immunisations are up to date for everyone in each house.”

Faasoa Pelemaa has been a nurse at Kidz First for four years and says she can see the statistics represented in our patients.

“Our kids can get pretty sick over winter especially if they already have conditions like asthma or bronchiectasis. Vaccination and knowing the symptoms to look out for is an important part of protecting our children.

“Cold, damp and mouldy homes can contribute to these factors and there is a free service available to our Counties Manukau community called AWHI Healthy Homes Initiative which supports whaanau to have warm and healthy homes.

“Healthy homes contribute to likely reducing respiratory illnesses in our kids. Just ask your health professional about AWHI.”

Some signs your child or baby has respiratory issues include:

• Difficulty breathing

• A persistent cough and running nose

• Breathing fast or becoming short of breath.

• Refusal to feed (in babies).

“If your child has any of these symptoms you should get checked out by a health professional. Calling Healthline on 0800 358 5453 is a good free resource if you are worried,” says Faasoa.

Making a healthy home

Winter is here - and unfortunately so are winter coughs, colds, and flu.

Making sure your home is dry and warm can help your whaanau keep well.

AWHI Healthy Homes Initiative is a free service for whaanau living in the Counties Manukau rohe who need support to make their home warmer, drier and healthier. This can include home assessments and support with insulation and other necessary products.

“We have nurses and other staff supporting implementation particularly in Kidz First and maternity and this has become normal day to day – to identify and support patients who may qualify for health homes assistance,” says Wayne Dawn, Service Manager, Kidz First.

You can also contact AWHI directly 0800 100 AWHI (0800 100 2944) or find them on Facebook.

While insulating and heating your home is the best way to keep warm, there are other small, low-cost things you can do to help make your home healthier:

• Open you curtains during the day and close them at night.

• Open your windows during the day when the weather allows, even in winter, to get fresh air inside.

• Open windows (ventilate) in the kitchen when you cook, and in the bathroom when you shower or bath, to let steam out.

• Close doors to room you are not using to stop draughts.

• Use bleach or white vinegar to remove mould from ceilings and walls.

• Dry your washing outside or in the carport.

• Water on your windows is usually condensation. Wipe your windows down often to keep your home dry.

• Stop cold air getting into your home by stopping draughts around doors and windows. A simple towel or blanket laid at bottom of a door can prevent a draft coming through and help keep the house warm.

• During cold winter nights, if you can - use an electric heater on a low thermostat setting in your bedroom. If you can’t afford to use your heater all the time, use it on low at night when people have coughs and colds.

• If your children share a bed, try top and tailing when they sleep, rather than their heads next to each other to keep distance between them. Kids cough and sneeze when they are asleep, and this is how germs spread.

• If you have a fireplace, when you aren’t using it –block the draft with something bulky-like a rubbish bag filled with newspaper - to stop the draught. Make sure everyone knows to remove it before lighting the fire!

• If you have timber floors, put a rug on timber floors to help keep warmth in.

You can visit this site for more tips and information available in Maaori/English, Samoan/English and Tongan/English: https://www.health.govt.nz/yourhealth/healthy-living/warmer-drier-homes

KELLY'S JOURNEY

From near death to success

Twelve years ago, at the tender age of 21, Kelly came close to death, crashing her car not far from Middlemore Hospital.

Kelly was taken by ambulance to Middlemore Hospital’s Emergency Department. She was put into a coma and spent a total of eight weeks in ICU. The accident left her with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) among other serious injuries.

Today she is using her experience to educate young people.

“I was young, fell asleep behind the wheel and crashed and it was questionable as to whether I would survive or not.

“One moment changed my life and all these years later, I am grateful that I am still alive.”

Although she has no memory of her time in the hospital, she credits the staff with saving her life.

“They saved me. They’re all fantastic and I’m super grateful.”

Today, Kelly’s life is still affected by the accident and she suffers from balance and memory problems.

“I rely on my diary to remember things and keep everything on my phone.

“I spent a lot of years doing rehabilitation and striving to get better, even if progress felt slow.”

Determined to make something positive come out of her experience, she is now a professional speaker and visits schools to talk to kids and educate them about road safety.

“I still cry when I’m presenting because of the expression on the teenagers' faces. They really do listen,” she says.

“I know I am getting through to them and spreading awareness about road safety. I have so many bookings now and it keeps me busy.”

Her recovery has been a long, brave and ongoing one. Yet Kelly approaches it with an amazing attitude, focussing on nutrition and exercise to help her through her journey.

“Nutrition is key to recovery,” says Kelly.

up!

have just been riding my bicycle at the park,

had the entire park to myself! Imagine if I gave up! I would have missed out on this life. I’m so grateful.”

“My advice would be NOT to give

I

and I

New Specialist Weight Management Service for Counties Manukau

Te Whatu Ora Counties

Manukau is setting up a new specialist weight management service to support people living with severe and complex obesity in Counties Manukau to achieve improved health outcomes.

The new specialist service, Te Mana Ki Tua, which is scheduled to start in mid-2023, aims to create an inclusive and safe space with group-based care including a meal replacement low energy diet phase, with wrap-around care from a multi-specialist team to promote long term healthy lifestyle changes.

Eva Takinui, Project Manager for Te Mana Ki Tua, says the service will also provide medical care for conditions that can run alongside obesity such as diabetes.

“We aim to provide a culturally appropriate holistic approach. Our health coaches have lived experience as individuals who have either experienced obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and are support people for spouses and immediate and extended whaanau.

“Our programme is not limited to our participants alone and we encourage whaanau involvement.

“Our model of care is designed with our whaanau at the forefront and our consumers have the opportunity to shape the way that we deliver and provide care for our participants and whaanau.”

Professor Rinki Murphy, Clinical Head of the new service explains that this service will provide low-calorie meal replacements, medication adjuncts, and multidisciplinary team support for those suffering with severe weight related medical conditions.

“The unique aspects of this service model of care includes a health-coach led approach, provision of meal replacements and wrap around care and group-based peer support.“

Bariatric surgeon Dr Richard Babor says he is looking forward to collaborating with the specialist weight management service.

“We anticipate it will lead to broader, deeper, and more holistic care for patients suffering from obesity - both for those patients intending to have surgery and those who are not.”

Kaiaua Hauora Day

A trip to Kaiaua to drop off donations to the marae inspired the idea of a community hauora day bringing health and community services together to benefit this small rural township.

This community event held in late April was made possible by Wharekawa Marae, Kaiaua School, and Te Whatu Ora, with Middlemore Foundation and the Robinhood Stars netball team.

The event provided a chance for people to connect with services and have a koorero with a range of health providers and community organisations.

Lyle Smith, Community Facilitator, Middlemore Foundation worked alongside Shona Patterson and Brittany McNeil from Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau to get this important mahi underway.

“After talking with the people in the rural community, we realised there was a need to bring health services together to support this community,” says Lyle.

“We needed to re-establish our commitment and obligation to continuous wellbeing of the community and ensure it is sustained.

“We asked the school principal what was needed for the tamariki and it was vision, hearing and dental services. We found out the community were asking for support and access to mental health and addiction services, especially following COVID-19.”

The day kicked off with a mussel opening competition, dived for by Lyle himself at his secret diving spot, to celebrate Kaiaua’s reputation of bountiful seafood.

Our Smokefree team was also there and said there was a great turnout during the day.

“We got to have koorero with a number of whaanau and we will also be supporting them on their smoke free journey,” says Kalolaine and Priyanka from the Smokefree team.

“Making the connections at the event provided that opportunity to create a relationship and offer our services - phone and face to face support, nicotine replacement therapy drops and smokerlyzer (carbon monoxide) readings.”

A good turnout made the mahi worthwhile and similar events are being planned.

Lyle.

Pictured right: Brittany, Lyle and Shona.

“Aha koa he iti – Its not about the size but how we serve our community”’ says

Manukau Health Park

Redevelopment making solid progress

Designed to cater for future population growth, the $316 million Manukau Health Park redevelopment and GROW Manukau initiative is the largest local capital and infrastructure project for the region in recent years.

By the end of this year, new East, West and North Building structures will be well underway and existing hospital façade replacement works will have commenced. The entire project is due to be completed by 2026

Throughout the construction phase, continuity of services and minimising patient and staff disruption will be a key priority. The contractor and project team are working closely with all departments to prevent any impacts on services and service delivery.

Built Environs is leading construction of the Manukau Health Park redevelopment and, in conjunction with Te Whatu Ora, has developed a broader outcomes strategic framework that targets local first engagement and supplier diversity. Local products will be used wherever possible. The strategy also targets workforce training and development, apprenticeships and cadetships.

Driving the project is a long term commitment towards ensuring quality care, world-class technology and equipment across multiple specialist services and equitable patient access to healthcare for south and southeast Auckland. By enabling increased capacity, expanding service offerings and easing access, it will also go a long way towards relieving pressure on Middlemore Hospital.

That’s because it’s expected that more than 3600 additional surgeries a year will be carried out at the new Manukau Health Park facility from 2026, plus it will enable almost 150,000 additional outpatient appointments to be scheduled each year.

Key features of the redevelopment include a new radiology services building, a new outpatient renal care centre, new breast care and screening services, a standalone theatre block with four new theatres and expanded ophthalmology and women’s health services. Also earmarked for improvement are telehealth services and community outreach. Facilities will include culturally appropriate spaces to support patients and whānau.

Once completed, the new facility will generate hundreds of ongoing healthcare jobs with part of the recruitment programme involving targeted education and employment from within the local communities of Counties Manukau. Te Whatu Ora is working closely with Mana Whenua and local community and Pasifika organisations to assess employment opportunities for local Māori, Pacific people and young people within the area.

Recruitment for current vacancies is underway across Manukau Health Park and Middlemore Hospital, with a more intensive campaign starting later this year at a local, national and international level for radiology, ophthalmology, cardiology and other health services that will be offered at the completed Manukau Health Park.

Author Credit: Kim Newth.

New taonga for Bereavement Care Services

A new taonga, or carving, has taken up pride of place in Counties Manukau’s Department of Bereavement Care Services.

The carving is a kaitiaki or guardian called Te Miro which means The Thread.

Bereavement Care Services Team Leader, Reon Scharvi says: “The name Te Miro represents a team of people that create a thread that weaves around our tuupaapaku [deceased ones] and whaanau pani (grieving families), to support them in losing a loved one.

“We are thrilled to have blessed our new taonga, which represents a guardian with two faces, representing the old and the new. It acknowledges our past but also allows us to see forward.”

Te Miro was blessed by Turongo Paki and supported by Luke Tai-Rakena John Ngatai, Reon Scharvi Tuhimata and Hariata Tukiri, a collective of Te Kaahui Ora Maaori Health and Bereavement Care Services.

Our Bereavement Care team assists nearly 1400 whaanau each year, handling the memory of lost loved ones from Middlemore Hospital, the Manukau SuperClinic and the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit.

The team of six at Bereavement Care are on site 24/7. They work alongside funeral directors, the Coroner’s Office, NZ Police and the NZ Eye Bank.

Reon continues: “We guide and support whaanau through the transition from the Hospital to their communities as well as all legal requirements.

“Our Department provides space for whaanau to gather and also rest their thoughts before they begin the funeral arrangements.

“Bereavement is a sensitive and emotional experience and one that is unique to each whaanau and individual with our role seeing us support families who suffer a pregnancy loss from 12 weeks upwards as well as all deaths within the hospital.”

“We want whaanau whose loved one has passed away here to have a positive start in their grieving process.”

The grieving process changed for many throughout the COVID-19 pandemic but one thing that never changed is Bereavement Care’s commitment to providing whaanau with support.

Join Dame Valerie's Jammie Army!

Olympic gold medallist Dame

Valerie Adams is working with the Middlemore Foundation to warm up winter for 10,000 kids with the Jammies for June campaign.

“Too many children from our community are being admitted to Kidz First Hospital with respiratory illnesses because they live in cold damp houses," says Adams.Dame Valerie.

Dr. Richard Matsas, the Clinical Director of Kidz First Hospital and Community Health, explains that pyjamas are helpful in keeping children safe from winter illness by keeping children warm through the night.

“Being snug and warm can help boost kids’ immunity, making them less susceptible to falling ill.”

Miriam Manga, a Kidz First Nurse Practitioner, spoke of the joy that a new pair of pyjamas brings to children admitted to Kidz First.

Jammies for June has been running for 12 years to help keep Kidz First patients warm. Pyjamas will be given to children at Kidz First Hospital, Kidz First Community, and the 76 primary schools that the foundation supports through the Mana Kidz School Health programme.

In addition to pyjamas, the Middlemore Foundation also purchases blankets, hot water bottles, and heaters to help keep children warm. This with this year's target is 10,000 pairs of pyjamas.

Over the years, the foundation has distributed over 80,000 pairs of jammies donated by supporters.

Support Jammies for June

This year, as well as sending pyjamas, you can warm up winter for our littlest patients by donating a virtual pair of jammies! This will get new jammies and other essential winter warm-up items to a child in hospital or living in a cold, damp home.

Support Dame Valerie's Army by becoming a Jammie fundraiser and help to make our kids warm and dry this winter.

Visit: https://www.JammiesForJune.org.nz to donate, fundraise, or buy some jammies.

“It may seem like a small gesture, but children's faces light up with joy when they receive a brand-new pair of pyjamas given by somebody they have never met.”

From shock pregnancy to C section - in under a month

What started as a surprise pregnancy turned into an emergency delivery within the space of a few weeks for Roxanne and her new baby, Mary-Jen (MJ). It was during a routine regular blood test to measure her iron levels due to her anaemia, that Roxanne discovered she was pregnant.

“I was a total shock. I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I had a scan a few days later and found out I was six months along,” she says.

But only days after discovering her pregnancy, Roxanne’s waters broke and she headed off to Middlemore Hospital.

“The staff there were great. They kept me rested, monitored me, and gave me steroid injections. They booked into Manukau SuperClinic for my second steroid shot and scans to monitor baby’s fluid levels.”

Two and a half weeks later, after putting her other children to bed, Roxanne sat down to eat and instantly knew something was wrong.

She headed back to Middlemore Hospital and within ten minutes of arriving she was rushed to surgery for an emergency C-section.

That day, Mary-Jen, or MJ for short, was born four months premature, weighing 1.1kgs.

“The first time I got to see her was two hours after my C-section when they took me by wheelchair to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was surreal.

“Bubs and I spent two months in NICU followed by one and a half months at the Special Care Baby Unit.

“The staff there were amazing and really, really lovely and so supportive.”

For many woman, pregnancy and birth isn’t all rosy and pregnancy glows – and they may feel they missed out on those precious moments of childbirth.

“I’ve had normal births and not so normal,” explains Roxanne.

“I lost my third baby, Nova-May who only lived for an hour after being born at 25 weeks and four days.”

Roxanne has some advice for future parents who experience a birth or pregnancy that isn’t smooth sailing.

“Bonding is different when your baby is fighting for their life – but in the end – I think it’s stronger because of what you have been through together.

“Any parent out there that has to go to NICU with their premature baby – know that the staff there are amazing and will help you through.”

After the hospital stay, MJ finally arrived home, requiring oxygen for five to six weeks, but each day she continued to thrive and grow.

“She is beautiful, healthy and happy now and I’m so grateful,” says Roxanne.

Our way finding volunteers perform a vital role in offering support and care to people who are visiting the hospital.

They practice whakawhanaungatanga (being familiar with others) and provide manaakitanga (kindness and care) – which are some of our organisation’s values.

Te Whatu Ora has a group of dedicated volunteers in a variety of roles including way finders who help people find their way around Middlemore Hospital and Manukau Health Park (Manukau Health Park and Surgical Centre).

“These volunteer roles are special – you can be with someone on their happiest or worst of times. Its very personal and it feels like an honour to be there with them at that time,” says Priti, Volunteer Coordinator.

Tanya, one of our volunteers has been around hospitals all her life with a family history of cancer.

“I wanted to give back to the hospital for the care they have given my family. I enjoy people and I wanted to help people,” she explains.

Robyn, another regular volunteer here explains that visitors can often get lost as Middlemore Hospital is a big place.

“We take them where they need to go and often offer them a sympathetic ear, listen to their story or help keep them calm if they are nervous. Its basically giving back to the community and helping people,” she says.

Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience in the health care industry.

“It’s a great way to learn how a hospital works. We offer are a very diverse, supportive and busy environment to learn in. If you have a second language, such as Maaori, Samoan, Tongan or Chinese, we would love to hear from you,” says Priti.

If you are a student, new or returning to the workforce and want work experience, volunteering is a great opportunity to do just that.

If you have extra time on your hands or just want to meet new people and expand your social network, a volunteer wayfinder role could be for you.

Come join our team!

‘Anei au, too pou whirinakiI'm here, I'll support you’

Image right: our volunteer Tanya.