From the ChairIt’s hard to believe we are already in the middle of March; the weather has been absolutely marvellous for so long, which is

lovely for those of us who are enjoying the beaches and other activities that living in our beautiful Bay of Plenty enables us to enjoy.

Health Matters this month offers some interesting reading. I’m particularly pleased to learn of the recent milestone reached by the Opotiki Rheumatic Prevention Programme and its celebration of five years of operation. This is great a programme that has treated nearly 1,000 children with strep throats in the Opotiki area since it started in 2009.

It’s also timely to start considering booking an appointment with your GP to have your flu shot. There are different strains of the flu virus currently circulating in the Northern Hemisphere and our vaccine is being adapted to include added protection. This is why the vaccine will be available a little later this year than in previous years. Call your GP to beat the queue when it does become available during April.

The other article I really like the concept of is about Change Day held on 11 March which was promoted by our Director of Nursing Julie Robinson.

“The idea is that if all the people who work in the health system committed to make one small change to improve patient care it would be a very powerful medium for improvement. One little change by each person can make a huge difference,” says Julie.

When I was reading that I thought ‘so what impact would it have if all of us across our communities decided to have our own personal-health-focused Change Day?’

Our Deputy Chair Ron Scott is taking part in the Surf Life Saving ‘Climbing Everest’ event. He’s climbing Mount Maunganui 38 times in 50 days, so he’s getting fitter and healthier, plus raising money for a good cause.

Last week a friend and I decided to do the 10km walk/run attached to the Rotorua Marathon in May - now that’s not long enough to totally exhaust us and we can do a lot of chatting while we train between now and then.

So, what can each of you do to become healthier every day? It might be more exercise, better eating, taking the time to enjoy life, making time for friends and family.

Whatever it is that is meaningful for you my challenge is that you have a Change Day and start a new activity that will help you be healthier and enjoy life more.

Sally Webb

Chair, Bay of Plenty District Health Board

Bay of Plenty patients are spending less time in Emergency Department (ED) waiting rooms following the attainment of a national health target.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) Chief Operating Officer Pete Chandler called the organisation’s achievement of the Ministry of Health’s Shorter Stays in ED target an excellent result. The target states 95% of ED patients must be admitted, discharged or transferred within six hours.

“We are delighted that we have achieved the national target across both Whakatāne and Tauranga hospitals. What makes this achievement all the more noteworthy is that it comes at a time of record numbers of patients presenting in ED.

For the six months to December 2014, ED presentations at Tauranga Hospital alone grew 9% compared to the same period for the previous year.

“The result validates the system efficiencies we’ve implemented across both hospitals which means our communities are now waiting less time in ED.” Mr Chandler said continuing to reduce ED waiting times needed a sector-wide approach.

“In light of the increase in presentations, many of which are not critically urgent, we are increasingly working with our GP practice partners and Public Health Organisations to improve the whole health sector’s ability to optimally care for the acute care needs of our patients,” said Mr Chandler.

Emergency Department patients wait less time for care

Prevention Programme Celebrates Five YearsThe Opotiki Rheumatic Fever Prevention Programme five year celebration in February was well attended by children and whanau from the local community. The event was hosted at Memorial Park, Opotiki, by Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health Services (WISH), who have successfully run the programme since it commenced in October 2009.

The Opotiki team has a lot to celebrate. The prevention programme covers 1,500 students at 10 schools. Maori students make up 83% of the student population at these schools. Ninety four percent of parents from the schools consented to the swabs being taken from their children over the past five years.

From October 2009 to December 2014, the team swabbed 13,078 children reporting sore throats and treated 977 ‘strep throats’. Four hundred and twenty swabs were taken from brothers and sisters and 1 in 4 of that group tested positive for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria.

Nita Walker and Awatea Pickard, community health workers from WISH, visit Opotiki schools twice a week and take throat swabs

from children reporting a sore throat. The swabs are tested for GAS bacteria. If ‘strep’ throat’ is diagnosed, the doctor prescribes a 10-day course of antibiotics.

“By detecting and treating ‘strep throat’ infections amongst Opotiki school children, Rheumatic Fever is less likely to develop,” said Nita.

Rheumatic fever often starts with a sore throat (a streptococcal infection). A few weeks later the child may develop sore or swollen joints, skin rash, fever, stomach pain and jerky movements.

“Although these symptoms may disappear, the heart valves may be damaged and this damage may be permanent. Those most at risk of developing Rheumatic Fever are Maori children aged 4–19 years. Fortunately, Rheumatic Fever is preventable, provided sore throats are treated correctly,” said Nita.

School based sore throat swabbing programmes have also been established in the communities of Kawerau, Murupara and Taneatua. For further information visit: http://www.ttophs.govt.nz/rheumatic_fever_schools

Caption: Left to right: Brothers, Francis Falwasser, 10 years-old and Te Poono Falwasser 11 years-old at the Opotiki Rheumatic Prevention Programme five year celebration recently.

Eastern Bay EditionMarch 2015

Hundreds of Bay of Plenty healthcare workers have taken part in New Zealand’s first annual Change Day event.

Change Day, which was held on Wednesday 11 March, is an international movement designed to show the power of individual action in creating positive change in the healthcare sector.

The concept is simple: individuals get involved by finding something they can do to improve healthcare quality and pledge to take action on it. Then on Change Day they, along with thousands of others nationwide, actioned their pledges creating a powerful force for change.

“It’s a very positive initiative and the end result, whether you’re working in a clinical or non-clinical role, is improving patient care,” said Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) Director of Nursing Julie Robinson.

Seventy four ‘pledge wall’ posters, with space for up to 28 pledges each, were put up in wards and departments around Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals. There were also Change Day stands at both sites for people to pledge as they came to work, staff could tweet pledges, or go online and register pledges on the national website www.changeday.kiwi

“Change Day raised the level of awareness that what you do as an individual can have a real impact,” said Julie. “It certainly got people thinking, there was a lot of discussion about it and ideas generated as a result.

“It was done in a fun way and gave a focal

point for people. It was a great first year and we hope to build on that next year. At the end of the day it’s all about improving patient care and outcomes and that’s what we all come to work for.”

The Change Day initiative began in the UK in 2011 and has since spread to 13 other countries.

As well as personal Change Day pledges two BOPDHB announcements were made.

Staff at the two mental health inpatient wards (Te Toki Maurere - Ward 8 in Whakatāne and Te Whare Maiangiangi in Tauranga) launched their participation in the Productive Ward/Releasing Time to Care programme.

“The ultimate aim of this long-term productivity and care improvement programme is releasing time for our staff so that they get to spend more one-to-one and group time with patients,” said Clinical Coordinator, Mental Health Inpatient Units, Karl Christoffersen.

Meanwhile, the Medical Services team at both hospitals began a “Hello my name is …“ campaign. It was inspired by the same campaign in the UK – launched by a British doctor with a terminal illness who became frustrated at staff not introducing themselves to her and saying what they were going to do.

“It’s really just a reminder to staff about the importance of communication at all times and what a huge difference that can make to the patient experience,” said Programme Manager, Quality and Patient Safety, Averil Boon.

Pledging to make a positive change for health

Caption: Change-makers: (from left) RCS Allied Health Director Margaret Krauss, Decision Support Manager Trevor Richardson, Whakatāne Hospital Coordinator Julie Chapman, Midwife Leader Margret Norris and Registered Nurse Helen Habgood encourage staff members to make pledges at Whakatāne Hospital on Change Day, Wednesday 11 March.

Changes to visiting hours at Tauranga and Whakatāne HospitalsThe Bay of Plenty District Health Board has removed visiting restrictions to support and encourage family presence at the patient’s bedside allowing them to be part of the care team, said Programme Manager Quality and Patient Safety, Averil Boon.

This applies to both Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals.

“Family presence and support has long been shown to bring comfort to the patient. The ability to remain present with a relative while in hospital has also been shown to enhance a family member’s ability to cope,” said Averil.

‘Family’ can be defined as two or more persons who are related in any way – biologically, legally or emotionally. Patients define their own families, which can include neighbours or friends.

“Allowing the family to visit the patient reduces stress and anxiety for the family and for the patient. Open visitation also allows family members to space

their visits across the day instead of all crowding into the hospital room during the same few hours.

“The patient must have times of rest and staff always retain the right to restrict visitors. The nurse’s role as a patient advocate requires routine assessment of the situation and this includes managing visitors,” said Averil.

Accelerated recovery time, increased reports of comfort and decreased duration of hospital stay are some of the positive outcomes for patients impacted by family presence. The family of a patient is often a great source of information as well.

“Having a family member at the bedside also benefits the continuity of care between the nurses and doctors. The family member can gain frequent updates from the medical team and witness the care that is being given. Patient and family-centred care represents the future model of healthcare,” said Averil.

•Familiesandfriendsplayanimportantroleinthehealingprocess,soweencouragevisitors.

•Wealsoneedtomakesureourpatientsgettherestandrecoverytimerequiredforhealing.

•Toassistwiththissometimesstaffmayaskthatthenumberofvisitorsbereduced,orthevisitend.

•Let’sworktogethertogetyourfamilymemberorfriendwellandbackhome.

Welcome to the Maternity Unit

Eastern Bay EditionMarch 2015

Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for the North Island’s largest pool of community helicopters. PSRT was founded in 1985 after an endowment by Philips New Zealand Limited to mark a light aircraft accident near Turangi in which two Philips’ personnel lost their lives. Encompassing six rescue helicopters and two fixed-wing planes, the service provides

air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis. The rapid response is powered by an expert crew of pilots, paramedics, flight nurses, Police and volunteer crewmen. In a life and death situation it is this speed and agility that can make all the difference, with patients able to receive medical treatment whilst enroute to a medical facility.

Did You Know?

Philips Search & Rescue Trust operates: • WestpacRescueHelicopter,WaikatoKingCountry

• TrustpowerTECTRescueHelicopter,BayofPlenty

• BayTrustRescueHelicopter,Rotorua-BayofPlenty

• GreenleaRescueHelicopter,Taupo-CentralPlateau

• PalmerstonNorthRescueHelicopter,Manawatu-Whanganui

• WestpacAirAmbulance(Fixedwing),Nationwide

Caption: Rotorua BayTrust Rescue Helicopter Crew - Pilot and Manager Barry Vincent and volunteer crewman Brandon Reade.

Do you find it difficult to get out of a chairwithoutusingyourhands?Haveyouavoided activities because you’re afraid you might lose your balance?

Itcouldbetimeto‘StanduptoFalls’–themessageofthisyear’sAprilFallsmonthandtheHealthQuality&SafetyCommission’snew six-month focus on reducing harm from falls as part of its Open for better care national patient safety campaign.

One out of three New Zealanders aged 55 and over has a fall each year, and the likelihood of falling increases with age.

Butthereareplentyofstepsyoucantaketo help protect yourself and to stay active and independent.

Beingactiveisimportantinitself,becausethe less active you are for fear of falling, the more likely you are to fall, due to weakened leg muscles, stiffer joints and reduced balance.

Regular exercise is one of the best things

you can do, with its other benefits including helping to keep your bones strong and to control your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and weight, and giving you more energy.

If you think you might need an exercise programme to improve your strength, balance and general fitness, ask your doctor to assess you.

You could also ask:

•ArethemedicationsI’mtakingstill right for me?

•AmIgettingenoughVitaminD?

If you are frail, housebound or have osteoporosis, you may need a prescription.

•DoIneedglassesoraneyetest?

•Wouldawalkingaidhelpme?

•Ismyfootwearsafe?

TheAccidentCompensationCorporation

(ACC),whichissupportingAprilFallsandthe Open campaign focus, has a simple checklist to help identify any hazards in your home, with questions such as:

•Isthefurniturearrangedtoprovide clear walkways?

•Areelectricalcordsandwireskeptaway from walkways or taped down?

•Canyoureachthetelephoneeasilyfrom your lounge chair?

•Aretherehandrailsinthebathand shower?

•Canyoureachyoursoap,shampooand towel easily?

•Canyoureachalightswitchoryour glasses easily from bed?

•Doyouhaveenoughlightingtoseeyour way to the toilet in the night?

•Canyoureachthekitchenitemsyouuse regularly without having to stretch or bend too far?

•Doyouhaveamoptocleanupspillsas they happen?

To download or order a copy of ACC’s HowSafe is YourHome, go towww.acc. co.nz/olderfalls

You can also download or order a copy of Standing up to falls: Your guide to preventing falls and protecting your independence.

HealthQuality&SafetyCommissionvideos Staying safe on your feet at home and Staying safe on your feet in the community can be viewed at www. h q s c . g o v t . n z / o u r - p r o g r a m m e s / reducing-harm-from-falls/publications- and-resources/videos.

Ways for people to Stand up to Falls

BayTrust Rescue Helicopter Open Day – Sunday 29 March 2015Don’t miss your chance to meet the hardworking crew behind the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter.

This month the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter opens its hangar to public for their annual Open Day, held on base at Rotorua Hospital. Owned by New Zealand’s largest search and rescue helicopter operator, Philips Search and Rescue Trust, a series of base Open Days are being held around the Central North Island in March.

Serving the Rotorua Bay of Plenty region, community generosity plays a crucial role in funding the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter. The upcoming Open Day is an opportunity for people to see the impact their donations can have.

“This is a great opportunity for us to open our doors and allow the public to get close to the Rescue Helicopter and as well as our key partners in emergency work which includes NZ Fire Service,

Police, Ambulance, Civil Defence and Coastguard. Come and join us at our Open Day and be a part of what you support as a community,” said Pilot and Base Manager, Barry Vincent.

A day out with a difference, Rotorua’s Open Day will enable you to get up close and personal with the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter and crew. Rescue demonstrations by both the BayTrust Rescue Helicopter team and local emergency services, competitions, refreshments, entertainment and the opportunity to win a helicopter flight ensure an action packed day for the family.

Admission to the Open Day is free, held Sunday 29th March from 10am to 2pm in the BayTrust Hangar, Rotorua Hospital, Corner Arawa St and Pukeroa Rd, Rotorua, for further information call 0800 11 10 10 or visit http://rescue.org.nz.

Philips Search and Rescue Trust Open Days, 10am-2pm:22 March -TrustpowerTECTRescueHelicopter,Tauranga-BayofPlenty22 March -GreenleaRescueHelicopter,Taupo-CentralPlateau29 March -BayTrustRescueHelicopter,Rotorua-BayofPlenty

Eastern Bay EditionMarch 2015

“It’s tough to get through winter without someone in the family coming down with a cold or worse, Influenza. Colds are bad enough but Influenza or ‘flu’ is not the same as a cold,” said the Immunisation Advisory Centre’s National Influenza Specialist Group (NISG) spokesperson and virologist Dr Lance Jennings.

“Influenza is highly contagious and anyone can become infected,” said Dr Jennings.

“You can pass on flu even before you know you are sick. Influenza is a serious disease and complications from Influenza can put you in hospital, or even kill. That’s why Influenza immunisation is free for those most at risk of complications from this disease,” he said.

When can I get vaccinated against Influenza? “Vaccines will become available from your general practitioner (GP) in April. This year delivery of the funded Influenza vaccines is later than in previous years due to the change in strains and the complex manufacturing process which takes longer than usual,” said Dr Jennings.

However, Dr Jennings said the impact of the delay should be minimal as long as people get vaccinated in April/May before the Influenza season usually starts in June. Around 1.2 million doses of Influenza vaccine were used in New Zealand in the 2014 season. The highest uptake was among people aged 65 and over, according to the NSIG.

Groups most at risk“People aged 65 years and over are still a priority but we need to get higher uptake among those with ongoing medical conditions, pregnant women and eligible children,” said Dr Jennings.

Research has shown that healthy, pregnant women are up to 18 times more likely to be admitted to hospital when suffering from Influenza than women who are not pregnant. There is also a range of Influenza-related complications that can affect the unborn infant, and can even cause premature birth or miscarriage.

“Immunisation in pregnancy also offers protection to the newborn infant

during the first few months of life,” said Dr Jennings.

Recent research has confirmed the high safety profile of the Influenza vaccine for pregnant women. It can be given safely any time during a women’s pregnancy as it is not a live vaccine.

“Protecting younger people, especially those with ongoing medical conditions, will be a special focus of this year’s seasonal Influenza immunisation programme.

“We know that younger people, who have an ongoing medical condition such as diabetes or asthma, are often unaware that they are at risk from Influenza. Unfortunately, this group is particularly vulnerable to the complications of Influenza because of their underlying condition and are more likely to be admitted to hospital when suffering from Influenza than the general population,” explained Dr Jennings.

What does it cost? Influenza immunisation is free as soon as vaccine is available (from April this year) for New Zealanders at high risk of complications, according to the NSIG.

This includes pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and anyone under 65 years of age with ongoing medical conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including asthma if on regular preventive therapy), kidney disease and most cancers. Children aged four and under who have been hospitalised for respiratory illness or have a history of significant respiratory illness are also able to receive the vaccine for free. The subsidised season will end on 31 July 2015.

“Influenza immunisation is also available, for a fee, from a doctor or nurse or participating pharmacist for those in the family who are not eligible for free immunisation. By being immunised you can also protect those around you who may be vulnerable to complications but for whom the vaccine is less effective,” said Dr Jennings.

Influenza. Don’t get it. Don’t give it.

Influenza Symptoms

Cold Symptoms

Sudden onset of illness Moderate to severe illness lasting 7-10 days

Mild illness

Fever (usually high) Mild fever

Headache (may be severe) Mild headache (congested sinuses)

Dry cough may become moist

Sometimes a cough

Muscle aches Muscle aches uncommon

Shivering A runny noseBed rest necessary

Can suffer severe complications (e.g. pneumonia)

For further information go to

www.fightflu.co.nz or www.moh.govt.nz

or call 0800 IMMUNE

0800 466 863.

• are pregnant• regularly use an asthma preventer

• have diabetes• have heart disease

• have kidney problems

• have cancer (excluding non-invasive skin cancers)

• have a serious medical condition

• are aged 65 years or over

• are a child aged 4 years or under who has been

hospitalised for a respiratory illness, or has a history of

significant respiratory illness

• If you have another ongoing serious medical condition

you may also be eligible for a FREE Influenza immunisation

If you do not have one of these eligible conditions,

you still benefit from an Influenza immunisation

available at a small cost.

DON'T TAKE THE RISK! Call your local GP or nurse to arrange a

FREE immunisation if you are in any of

the following groups:

Eastern Bay EditionMarch 2015