Earthquake Update 37 – Canterbury District Health Board

HAGLEY HOSTEL FAREWELLED

Former staff and residents of Hagley Hostel gathered to say their farewells to the building earlier this week before demolition starts later next week. The building has been extensively damaged by the September and February earthquakes and is extremely unsafe.

The first step in the demolition process, provided it’s safe to do so, will be to rescue a collection of old research records that have been stored in the building as well as heritage items, such as lead-lights, doors, and other special features of the building, which have been identified to have historical significance.

Salvaging of these items is expected to begin later week. However, items can ONLY be rescued PROVIDED NO ONE’S SAFETY IS PUT AT RISK. The items WILL NOT be retrieved if there’s any sign safety could be compromised.

Keeping Our Families Safe
In stressful times like these, family relationships can become strained. If you are finding life difficult make sure you talk to someone you trust about how you are feeling. You can also call the Right Service Right Time counselling and support line on 0800 777 846. Alcohol can contribute to tensions among families, so try to limit your drinking.
Regardless of the circumstances, family violence is a crime. In an emergency dial 111 and ask for the Police. It can be difficult for people in violent relationships to ask for help - but there are organisations that are there to assist.
For more information go to:
• www.areyouok.org.nz – talks about family violence, and where to get help.
• Family Violence Information Line (0800 456 450) - self-help information and connections to appropriate services.
• Child, Youth and Family. Phone 0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459) if you are concerned about a child or young person.
• Women’s Refuge Phone 0800 REFUGE (733 843) or look in the white pages of the phone book.
Victim Support groups are located throughout the country – look in the white pages of the phone
FLU IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
To help stay well this winter, have a flu vaccination. Anyone can have one but they are free for pregnant women, anyone who has a long term illness, people aged over 65 years and anyone younger than 18 years. See your General Practice team for your vaccination or check whether your employer is providing them free to staff.

KEEP WARM – EAT WELL

Government agencies are working to keep Canterbury people healthy and safe through winter following the September and February earthquakes.

Agencies are working together to help people prepare for the additional challenges of winter.

A lot of work has already gone into restoring heating to homes that lost their primary source and making homes weather tight.

Common repairs include those to roofs, chimneys, hot water cylinders, work to windows and doors and clearing drains.
Fletcher EQR, contracted by the Earthquake Commission, expects the 4,500 priority winter heating repairs initially estimated to be needed in Christchurch will be completed by mid May, and is actively seeking to identify further households where such repairs are needed.

The Clean Heat Hub established earlier this year has made 25,000 calls to identify priority cases, based on data from a variety of sources. About 4,000 heating units have been ordered, installed or repaired to date, including heat pumps and different varieties of solid fuel burner. Orders are being placed at up to 1,000 per week.

If you are still without your main form of heating or your house isn't weather tight, then contact 0800DAMAGE or email heating@eqr.co.nz."

• If you or a family member is sick, visit your GP early for advice.
• To help stay warm, eat warm food, have hot drinks and dress yourself and any children in your family in layers of warm clothing, even when you are at home.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from your family or neighbours. Keep an eye out for each other, especially if there are vulnerable people in your neighbourhood such as those who are elderly or unwell.
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• If your home or heating has been earthquake damaged, your first priority will be to stay warm and healthy. Environment Canterbury will not take action if the earthquake means you are not able to meet the clean air rules. This recognises that you may need to use whatever safe means you have available including an open fire or non-compliant wood burner. We advise you to check that any heating is safe to use and we welcome calls if you are concerned about your individual circumstances. Phone Environment Canterbury customer services 0800 324636

HEALTH WARNING LIFTED IN LYTTLETON HARBOUR & TAYLOR’S MISTAKE

The Community and Public Health division of Canterbury District Health Board last week lifted the health warning at Taylors Mistake and in Lyttelton Harbour Pegasus Bay beaches north of the Waimakariri River and including Spencerville remain unaffected and safe for recreational use.
People are reminded that while water is safe during dry weather there is the occasional high levels of contamination following heavy rainfall and people should avoid contact with all waterways for 48 hours after heavy rainfall.
Warnings remain for the waterways of Avon/Otakaro and the Heathcote/Opawaho rivers, the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai, and Pegasus Bay beaches adjacent to Christchurch because of ongoing sewage discharges.
The only exception to this is Punting on the Avon which follows rigorous guidelines to protect staff and customers from any risk.
Water contaminated by human or animal faecal bacteria may contain a range of disease causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.
In most cases the ill-health effects from exposure to contaminated water are minor and short-lived. However, there is the potential for more serious diseases, such as hepatitis A, giardia, cryptosporosis, campylobacter and salmonella..

TRANSPORT AND PARKING AT CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL

Parking & Shuttle Update
The CDHB and the Christchurch City Council Transport & Greenspace Team have been working to try and find a solution to longer term parking for CDHB staff and patients. Despite a number of options being discussed we are still dealing with a loss of more than 800 parking spaces and trying to find alternative sites is proving difficult.
The best solution continues to be parking behind the Horticultural Centre and the CDHB has provided minibuses to escort patients from this area during the day and for staff at night; security have access to these minibuses 24/7.
Staff are asked to walk whenever possible because patients and visitors that may find the walk to the hospital difficult will be given preference for the shuttle. The shuttle picks ups and drops off at the main hospital entrance.
The parking area behind the horticultural centre area is well lit and an area has been designated for staff working afternoon shifts to ensure they are within view of the security team when they return to their vehicles. There is also security available to escort people to and from the parking area. A white gazebo is located to the side of the parking area and staff, patients and visitors should wait here for escorts or the shuttle bus.
Armagh St Gardens

This car park is now open and there are no time restrictions. Access is from Rolleston Ave at the Armagh St bridge. Staff and patients can use this sealed parking area and access the hospital via the Botanical Gardens. There is no security in place, so recommend this area for day shift parking.

Staff and patient shuttles from Hillmorton and Burwood
Shuttles are continuing to operate from Hillmorton Hospital hours have been extended to try and accommodate some more shifts. Drop off and pick up is from the lower ground floor entrance of Christchurch Women’s Hospital.The first shuttle will now leave Hillmorton at 0715 and they will continue to run throughout the day at the following times:
Hillmorton departure on the hour from 7.15am to 4.15pm and on the hour from Christchurch Hospital from 7.45pm to 4.45pm and again at 5.15pm.

Volunteer Drivers needed for the Hillmorton to Christchurch Shuttle
CDHB cannot express its gratitude enough to this team of people who have made a regular commitment to help out. However, with departments returning to normal and winter weather settling in, we urgently require some more volunteers. If you could spare a day, a morning or an afternoon to help drive patients and staff between the hospitals please contact Rachel.cadle@cdhb.govt.nz.

The Burwood to Christchurch Shuttle departs at 6.00am, 7.00am, 8.15am and 2pm. The Christchurch to Burwood Shuttle departs at 3.30pm, 4.35pm, 5.45pm, and 11.10pm

Burwood departures leave from beside Beacon House at entrance B2. Christchurch departures leave from the traffic lights on Oxford Terrace below the emergency department.

The Princess Margaret Hospital – Christchurch Hospital Shuttle is running as per usual

Alternative Transport Options:
A great number of staff have also reverted to cycling to work and using the buses, we have been looking for more places to locate bike racks and actively encourage those that can to consider an alternative way of getting to work.
Parking on Verges and Yellow Lines:
Since the February 22 earthquake, the council have been lenient about staff, patients or visitors to Christchurch Hospital using the park verges and yellow lines outside the hospital for parking but ask people to stop parking in these areas.
Council has indicated it will tow cars that are interrupting traffic flow, cycle ways or pedestrian access to an alternative nearby area. There are no fines for towing but it is an inconvenience to have to find your vehicle which may have been relocated back to the Horticultural centre or other safe parking area.
The DHB is continuing to review parking with the City Council and will update staff and patients as we get further information.
AGED CARE RESIDENTS

Letters have been sent to residents and families about the relocations of rest home residents evacuated from Christchurch rest homes following the quake.
Assistance is available to help families keep in touch with their relocated family members and a process is in place to determine priority of residents wanting to Canterbury.
At the time of the quake some families opted to take their relative home to live with them and DHB will continue to work with these families to provide additional care and support to enable this situation to continue longer term.
Anyone with queries about care of vulnerable older people should call 03 337 8937 or email: eocvp1@cdhb.govt.nz
DRINKING WATER

The boil water notice has been lifted, however, the testing programme has not included private wells and bores, so we advise people accessing drinking water from these sources to organise on-going private testing.
Residents should contact the Council if their reticulated water supply is not working on 941 8999.

People should still try to conserve water because Christchurch’s water supply and waste water infrastructure remains delicate.

If you’re returning to your home or business for the first time since the quake

Residents returning to their properties for the first time since the boil water notice has been lifted, and new tenants or property owners, should turn on all the taps on their property and let them run for a minimum of five minutes. If after five minutes the water is still discoloured they should continue to run it until it is clear.

Business owners or managers returning to their premises should also run taps for five minutes. Business owners are also advised to organise a registered plumber to check their water systems prior to switching water on at the street. Leaks in the water pipe work on their site or in their building could cause further damage to the property.

Chlorination of Christchurch water supply

It is expected that the water supply will continue to be chlorinated for between three and six months while permanent infrastructure repairs take place. The Council will continue a programme of increased sampling to ensure that water remains safe to drink. If people don’t like the taste of chlorine then they should fill a jug with water and store it in the fridge for 30 minutes before drinking. This will lessen the taste/odour.

CANTERBURY DHB BUILDINGS

All hospital buildings continue to be 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 displayed on these buildings.
BLOOD TESTS
Canterbury Health Laboratories will be open over the weekend from 8am to 11am on Saturday at their Hagley Ave, Tuam Street building, across the road from Christchurch Hospital. There is parking on site and any blood test forms will be accepted.
For more 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, regardless of what part of Christchurch you live in, 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 it mellow; if it’s brown flush it down’.

Don’t waste water washing the car!

IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGES
• 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). If your sewerage system has not been working and you have access to a portable or chemical toilet, please continue to use this until advised otherwise. If you need a chemical toilet call 941 8999. Solid waste that is tightly wrapped in plastic can go into you red bin, but only as a last resort. 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.
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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.
• 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.
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Pharmacies
• If you want to collect several medicines at once it’s helpful if you can drop your prescription off and give the pharmacy a day to get them ready for you.
• Even if you think your pharmacy is closed, please ring the usual pharmacy telephone number. Your call will either be redirected or the recorded message will tell you where you can collect your medicines from.

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 tired and a multitude of 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
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.
These sites are open:
Nga Hau e Wha Marae
Linwood Community Link
Wainoni Aranui Recreation Centre
Parklands Baptist Church
St Faiths Hall
Delta Community Support Trust
Sydenham Community Centre
Lyttleton Recreation Centre
Weekdays: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Saturday: 9.00 am to 12.00pm (noon)
Sunday: Closed
Recovery Information Kiosks
Recovery Information Kiosks have opened throughout Christchurch. The kiosks are places within communities, where people can get information on the help available.

The kiosks are unmanned and are located at:
• Waipuna - 349 Woodham Road
• Delta - 105 North Avon Road
• Aranui Heartlands and Pacific Hub - 37 - 45 Hampshire Street
• Shirley Early Years Hub - 69B Briggs Road
• Kingdom Resources - Shop F, 300 Lincoln Road (Addingtown Mall)
• Akaroa Heartland Service Centre - 39 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa
• Solo Women As Parents (SWAP) - 70 Springfield Road
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For more information go to http://www.msd.govt.nz/emergency/recovery-assistance-centres.html#DeltaCommunitySupportTrust7
Helplines

• ACC – People wanting to know what their entitlements are 0800 101 996
• Red Cross – 0800 733 276
• 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 24 hours 7days, free calling, including from cell phones - 0800 933 922
• Vulnerable older people – who urgently require assistance because of health or disability needs should contact Older Persons Health on 337 7765 for assessment and advice.
• Dialysis – helpline 0800 881919
• Ambulance – 111
• 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue – 365 7777
• 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; www.healthinfo.org.nz
• Follow us on www.facebook.com

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