Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Launch of Hutt Cardiac Continuum of Care programme

5 May 2004

Launch of Hutt Valley Cardiac Continuum of Care programme

Health Minister Annette King has launched the Hutt Valley Cardiac Continuum of Care programme - the first of its kind in the country, and a key plank in the DHB's response to the Government's New Zealand Health and Primary Health Care Strategies.

Thank you for inviting me here tonight to share such a good-news occasion with you.

And thank you, Peter, not only for your introduction, but for the District Health Board's support for an initiative as innovative and forward-thinking as the Hutt Valley Cardiac Continuum of Care programme.

It is a real pleasure to be asked to launch the programme, and I know many people have worked hard to bring the programme to fruition.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Hutt Valley DHB's planning and funding team; the Cardiology Department, and in particular head cardiologist Tim O'Meegan; the range of primary care providers such as the GPs who responded to the consultation programme; Kowhai Health who worked with the DHB to achieve this initiative; and the DHB's Community and Public Health Advisory Committee for its encouragement of community-based initiatives.

As Health Minister I am really impressed with Hutt Valley DHB's dedication to improving and maintaining the health of its population and restoring their health when they are unwell. I know you are working hard with those groups in your population that have poor health or are missing out on services. This programme is a perfect illustration of your dedication and commitment to preventing hospitalisations and improving your community's overall wellbeing.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

I am sure this is a very proud day for you all, as well as an exciting day for those who will be involved in delivering the Cardiac Continuum of Care programme.

The programme is significant for two reasons. Firstly, it is the first of its kind in the country, and is a key plank in the DHB's response to the Government's New Zealand Health Strategy and its Primary Health Care Strategy.

Secondly, it is aimed at caring for people who have newly diagnosed cardiac or hypertension complaints. This launch is being combined with an education campaign for Hutt Valley GPs and practice nurses to introduce them to the programme.

I am sure you are all aware that reducing the incidence and impact of cardiovascular disease is a key goal of both the New Zealand Health Strategy and the Primary Health Care Strategy. Lifestyle risk factors for cardiac disease include smoking, lack of exercise, diet and obesity.

All these areas are covered in the New Zealand Health Strategy's Priority Health Objectives and are a key focus in Hutt Valley DHB's Cardiac Continuum of Care programme. Encouraging people to make informed lifestyle choices is a crucial part of the programme.

As the New Zealand Health Strategy states, "Primary health care is delivered close to communities with their participation and is a key to improving and maintaining health through programmes to promote health, prevent disease and provide early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses to prevent complications developing."

So it is heartening to see that this initiative by Hutt Valley DHB is very much in line with the Government's strategy. By funding GP practices to provide education, skills and information to those who show early signs of heart disease, the DHB is taking a positive step in the right direction towards improved care for the people of the Hutt Valley. It is becoming well recognised that giving patients the skills and information to do things for themselves will improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

This programme offers early education and lifestyle counselling and community-based self-management courses. Until now, education has only been available at no cost within the hospital setting to those who have already had a cardiac event. In other words, this programme moves the emphasis back to prevention and education in the primary care setting where the opportunity is still available to avert chronic disease.

The Primary Health Care Strategy promotes co-ordination between primary and secondary care. The development of this continuum has been the result of wide consultation and hard work, and collaboration between doctors and nurses and between hospital services and primary care. I want to congratulate all those involved for working together in such a productive way.

It is a fantastic example to your peers throughout the health sector, and I hope they take note. The Cardiac Continuum of Care's focus on integrating services across primary/secondary and community sectors will: · Improve access to diagnostics and specialists clinics; · Support patients who have had a cardiac event back to the GP for ongoing management; · Facilitate referral to community providers of services such as smoking cessation and exercise classes.

As many of you will know, the promotion of primary health care nursing is part of the Primary Health Care Strategy. Specialist training, raising the profile and funding specific sessions for nurse-based education -- as this programme does -- enhances the role of primary care nursing and makes it more appealing and rewarding, which in turn aids recruitment and retention.

Effective infrastructure for information collection and sharing is being facilitated through patient record templates that will enable monitoring of a patient's condition, recording of data, and will facilitate future planning and ongoing service development.

Last week I visited Waitakere to listen to a presentation of an initiative being taken by HealthWEST Primary Health Organisation designed to reduce mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and stroke. Initiatives such as that one, and the one I am launching tonight, give me great confidence that we are going down the right track in health in New Zealand. So thank you very much again.

This programme really is an exciting step forward and a major move by the Hutt Valley DHB towards improved care for cardiac patients. I applaud this initiative and declare it well and truly launched. I now look forward to following its progress with interest.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.