Earthquake Update 29 – Canterbury District Health Board

Monday 21 March 2011 – 5:00pm

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEY

Preliminary results from first week of a public health survey carried out during the week 9-13 March have revealed:

• Overall, for water other than bottled water, 92.9% of households were boiling their water. More than a fifth of households were not using boiled or treated water for washing fruit and vegetables or for cleaning teeth. Of 23 households with bottle-fed babies, 2 (9%) were using untreated or unboiled water for baby formula.

• Of symptoms assessed in the survey, cough was the most predominant at 16.3% followed by diarrhoea at 10.5%. This is the rate we would expect to see at this time of the year – as a baseline comparison, a telephone survey carried out in 2009 found a prevalence of “acute gastrointestinal illness” in late summer of 10.8%.

• Overall, 23.9% of respondents had sought medical care (from a doctor, nurse, or general practice team) in the previous seven days. Only 2% of respondents said they had difficulties obtaining health care.

The survey was carried out on a random sample of Christchurch households with fixed line telephone numbers. It was a computer assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey. 500 households were surveyed in the first week. The survey is scheduled to continue for four weeks. The survey takes no more than ten minutes to complete.

CHRISTCHURCH RESIDENTS ARE RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED TO BOIL ALL WATER

• Boil or treat all water from taps and tankers before drinking, brushing teeth or using in food preparation. Bringing water to the boil is sufficient to kill bugs. Water needs to be boiled even if the smell or taste of chlorine is present. If you cannot boil water, treat it by adding 1 teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres of water and leave for 30 minutes. Dishwashers can be used on a full hot wash with detergent (not economy wash). Dishes must be allowed to dry fully prior to re-use.

• In parts of the city, sewerage pipes have broken or are breaking as services come back online. People should avoid sewage and silt that may have been contaminated with sewage, even if it is on their properties. If you need sewage removed from your property call Christchurch City Council on 941 8999. If people have to work with silt they should wear water-proof gloves, gumboots and a dust mask. People should also shower or wash thoroughly immediately after contact with either sewage or silt, and wash clothes separately.

• Waterways are contaminated with sewage. Avoid contact with rivers, sea water, ponds, puddles or other surface water. Do not swim, paddle, fish, or gather shellfish or any other food from oceans and rivers.

• Take care when disposing of human waste (faeces, poo, vomit etc). Only solid waste can go into your red bin, and should be tightly wrapped in plastic. Wash your hands immediately after dealing with any human waste.

• Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser often, particularly after toileting, and before and after eating or preparing food.

• If you are sick, try to limit contact with other people, do not go to work and do not prepare food for anyone.

DEDICATED SHOWERING FACILITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Showering facilities have been set up at Cowles Stadium for people with disabilities. They are available by appointment only. For more information call the vulnerable people team on 337 8937 and arrangements can be made.

The showers are ideal for people from aged residential care facilities and those who usually receive home-based care but who are unable to access showers due to damage to their homes. People using the showers are required to bring their own toiletries and supplies along with their caregiver or support person.

ALLOW EXTRA TIME IF YOU’RE HEADING TO HOSPITAL
Patients and visitors coming to Christchurch Hospital and Christchurch Women’s Hospital need to allow more time to access car parking or alternatively use the shuttle service due to a reduced number of parking areas around the hospital.

HOSPITAL SHUTTLE BUS SERVICES

Burwood to Christchurch Hospital:

• Monday to Sunday Service

• Burwood departures leave from beside Beacon House at entrance B2 leave at 6.15am, 8.00am, 2.00pm, 4.00pm and 10.00pm.

• Christchurch departures leave from the traffic lights on Oxford Terrace below the emergency department at 7.15am, 3.30pm, 5.00pm and 11.15pm.

Princess Margaret to Christchurch Hospital St John’s Shuttle

• Monday to Friday Service

• The normal St John’s shuttle timetable is operating between Princess Margaret and Christchurch Hospitals, but IS NOT calling at Burwood or Hillmorton.

• Departure points are at the main entrance for Princess Margaret and the main Parkside entrance for Christchurch.

Hillmorton to Christchurch Hospital:

• Monday to Friday Service for staff and patients

• Minibuses operating hourly from 8.30am to 5.00pm between Hillmorton and Christchurch Hospitals starting at 8.30am from Hillmorton / 9.00am from Christchurch

• Drop off and pick up is from the lower ground floor entrance of Christchurch Women’s Hospital.

ADDITIONAL PARKING AT CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL

The Christchurch City Council has provided additional parking for hospital use on the grassed area behind the Horticultural Centre Car Park (access to the right of the building). This is in addition to the Hagley Park car park near the tennis club, Access is off Riccarton Ave.

GENERAL PRACTICES AND PHARMACIES

• Most general practice teams and pharmacies in Canterbury are now open. If you need to see a doctor, phone your own GP first and you will be put through to someone who can help. .

• GP and prescription fees have returned to their usual rates. If the cost of visiting your GP is a problem, talk to your doctor as you may be eligible for special subsidised fees.

• If you are on a benefit other than national superannuation - for example a sickness benefit or emergency payment, you will be able to visit any GP free of charge until 10 April 2011.

• Call your own GP first. It is important you address your health concerns early with your general practice team.

• Ideally you will be able to visit your usual general practice team. If this is not possible, you should consult a nearby general practice team. You will pay similar fees to those charged to regular patients at that practice.

• If it’s an emergency call 111.

BLOOD TESTS

For details of where you can go to have a blood test or other tests, check www.bloodtest.co.nz

SHORT SHOWERS SHOW YOU CARE – TAKE CARE WITH WATER USE

Where you have water available at home, please use it sparingly as sewerage systems are broken and not able to cope with large volumes of waste water.

This applies when showering - remember that short showers show you care - and when flushing the toilet, ‘if it’s yellow let mellow; if it’s brown flush it down’.

INFANT FEEDING IN EMERGENCIES

For support and information specifically about breastfeeding and/or infant feeding:

• Plunket Well Child Health Services are providing phone services, home visits and support to client families. Contact the Plunket Family Centre (03) 3489447

• The 24 hour/7 day Plunket Line is operating at 0800 933922

• Canterbury Breastfeeding Advocacy Service Coordinator/Infant Feeding Specialist at Te Puawaitanga ki Otautahi Trust – Carol Bartle (03) 3445062 or 0277331843 or email carol.bartle@omwwl.maori.nz . We also have some mother-to-mother trained breastfeeding peer counsellors available for phone support. Carol Bartle is also a Neonatal Intensive Care Feeding Specialist and also available to give short sessions about infant feeding in emergencies to any interested groups

• La Leche League Canterbury 24 hour/7 day breastfeeding helpline (03) 3388447

• St George’s Maternity Unit Breastfeeding Support is available to all women. The Drop-In Centre will open daily Monday to Friday between 0930 -1130 in the Leinster Chambers, Level One St George’s Hospital. Follow the signs from the car parking building. Phone 355 9102 for any urgent enquiries

• Aranui Breastfeeding Group – free support and information at 38 Portsmouth Street every Wednesday from 12.30-2.30pm from Wednesday March 30th. All parents welcome. Enquiries to Carol Bartle at (03) 3445062 or 0277331843 or email carol.bartle@omwwl.maori.nz

• Local lactation consultant (fee for service) Rachel Walker (from 28th March) (03) 3660856 or 0274713325 or Megan Thorn (03) 3472196 or 0211687477

• If you are on Facebook check out the Facebook page – Infant Feeding in Emergencies for more information and/or contact Carol Bartle for copies of the infant feeding in emergencies factsheets at (03) 3445062 or 0277331843 or email carol.bartle@omwwl.maori.nz

DIABETES CENTRE & SOCIETY

The Diabetes Centre and Diabetes Christchurch Society at 550 Hagley Avenue have normal clinic activity.

The Diabetes Christchurch Society office and shop will be open from Monday-Friday 9am – 4pm and can be contacted on (03) 378 6266

The Diabetes Centre will be accepting referrals as usual and can be contacted Monday–Friday 8am -5pm on (03) 3640860

ELECTIVE SURGERY

Limited elective surgery has resumed. Additional operating theatre lists have started however some patients will still need to have their surgery performed at other hospitals. Patients will be contacted regarding arrangements.

CANTERBURY DHB BUILDINGS

All hospital buildings have been checked by independent structural engineers. Other than those closed off or with restricted entry, the buildings have been assessed as safe to occupy. ‘Green stickers’ are being placed on the buildings.

AGED CARE RESIDENTS

Families organising private transfers for aged care residents, whether to rest home, community, or who have already transferred family members, are requested to notify the Ministry of Social Development on 0800 999 727 to ensure payments transfer with the resident.

Families should also notify Canterbury DHB on 337 8937 and the district health board where they are being transferred to. For more information contact HeathCert on 0800 113 813.

Until the national state of emergency is lifted, there will be no relocations back to Christchurch.

SUPPORT AND COUNSELLING SERVICES

These have been extremely difficult times for all of us. Each of us may be affected in a different way. Common experiences include: poor sleep, irritability, nervousness, unpleasant dreams, loss of energy, feeling of tiredness and a wide range of possible emotions such as anger, guilt or sadness.

In young children symptoms can include bedwetting, being “clingy” to a parent and displaying disruptive and disturbing behaviour. These are all normal and understandable responses. They will generally lessen over time. Support from friends and family helps with recovery.

If you are concerned about yourself or a family member or a friend, you encouraged to call: Special Helpline 0800 777 846. This service may offer immediate advice and support or may connect you with another helping agency.

RECOVERY ASSISTANCE CENTRES (RACs)

Recovery Assistance Centres are one-stop-shops where people can access welfare information and services. They bring together central, local government and non government organisations. Each RAC has visiting or on-call health staff.

This includes a designated Partnership Community Worker (PCW) who can link those in need with relevant health and social services and ensure they are linked in to a General Practice team. The PCW can also organise transport to help the patient get to a GP or a hospital appointment or to a social service agency. RACs also have visiting Health Protection Officers.

RACs are open week days 8.30am to 5.00pm & weekends 9.00am to 4.00pm and are located at:

• Linwood Community Link, 154 Aldwins Road

• Linwood Wainoni Aranui Recreation Centre, 31 Hampshire Street

• Wainoni Parklands Baptist Church, 180 Queenspark Drive

• Parklands St Faiths Hall, 46 Hawke Street

• New Brighton Nga Hau e Wha Marae, 250 Pages Road

• Aranui Shirley Rugby Club, Burwood Park, New Brighton Road, Shirley/Dallington

• Lyttelton Recreation Centre, 25 Winchester Street, Lyttelton

• Sydenham Community Centre, 23-25 Hutcheson Street, Sydenham

• Hagley Old Boys Cricket Club, Hagley Oval, Riccarton Avenue.

• Mt Pleasant Yacht Club, 21 Main Road Mt Pleasant (by the Ferrymead Bridge)

More information on RACs visit www.msd.govt.nz/emergency/recovery-assistance-centres.html

RECOVERY INFORMATION KIOSKS

Recovery Information Kiosks have opened throughout Christchurch. The kiosks are placed within communities, where people can get information on the help available.

The kiosks are unmanned and are located at:

• Waipuna Youth and Community Trust, 349 Woodham Road

• Delta Trust, 105 North Avon Road

• Aranui Seventh Day Adventist Church, cnr Pages Rd and Rowan Ave

• Aranui Heartlands, 37-45 Hampshire Street

• South Christchurch Library, 66 Colombo Street

• Christchurch Bishopdale Library, 13 Bishopdale Court, Bishopdale Shopping Centre

• Little River Library, State Highway 75, Little River

• Akaroa Heartland Service Centre 39 Rue Lavaud

• Akaroa Library, 2 Selwyn Ave

Helplines

• ACC – People wanting to know what their entitlements are 0800 101 996

• Red Cross – 0800 733 276. People who have relocated outside of Christchurch are urged to contact the Red Cross.

• Urgent mental health advice – Psychiatric Emergency Service on 03 3640 482 or 0800 920 092

• Urgent Dental Care – If you can’t contact your own dentist 335 4260. After hours 027 683 0679

• Meals on wheels – 337 7797

• Plunket Line continues to operate 24hours 7days, free calling, including from cell phones - 0800 933 922

• Vulnerable older people – that urgently require assistance because of health or disability needs should contact Older Persons Health on 337 7765 for assessment and advice.

• Relocated older people – if you are unable to contact their usual aged residential care provider to confirm their location, please phone 337 8937 for information.

• Dialysis – helpline 0800 881919

• Ambulance – 111

• 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue – 365 7777

• Water collection locations – http://canterburyearthquake.orgnz/water-tanker-timetable-for-deliveries/

• Coping strategies - stress and anxiety – The Ministry of Health has created a series of fact sheets with advice and coping strategies for people experiencing stress or anxiety in the wake of this week's tragedy. These can be found on the Ministry's website - www.moh.govt.nz - under the banner headline ‘Christchurch Earthquake’

• Other useful websites include – www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz www.civildefence.co.nz

• Follow us on www.facebook.com

ENDS

© Scoop Media