Snow update

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is reminding people it’s “business as usual” despite snow continuing to fall this afternoon.

Murray Dickson, CDHB corporate services manager, says there have been no snow related problems reported with all CDHB services operating as normal at this stage.

“All our services are operating as usual, with no electives or outpatient clinic cancellations. We will keep our staff and the public informed of any changes via our Facebook page, the CDHB website www.cdhb.govt.nz media and internal communications systems,” Mr Dickson says.

“As health is an essential service everyone who can safely get to work is expected to turn up for their usual duties unless they have made alternative arrangements with their manager.”

Mr Dickson says the CDHB is well versed at operating in emergency situations, with earthquakes and heavy snow dumps to contend with last year.

“We are closely monitoring the situation but so far disruption has been minimal and the health system is well-prepared for maintaining services through these types of weather events.”

Orion and Transpower are having some problems with electricity supply at the moment and as a precaution the CDHB is running its generators as well as using the mains supply.

“We’ve asked staff to conserve electricity where they can,” Mr Dickson says.

People appear to be taking care in the slippery conditions, with only a handful of patients presenting to Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department with minor to moderate injuries since the snow began this morning.

The CDHB has managed to deliver to most Meals on Wheels recipients with assistance from the Christchurch 4WD Club. Recipients living in areas where meals could not be delivered because of road closures have been contacted and kept updated of the situation.

People are reminded to phone their General Practice team, pharmacy or community blood collection centre to check opening hours.

“Stay home if possible and keep warm. Rug up in warm clothing and eat warm nutritious food and if your neighbours are elderly or live alone please check on them,” he says.

“As many of us learned last year, a shovel is also useful addition to your emergency kit.”

The snow is expected to clear and the CDHB will provide further updates as information becomes available, Mr Dickson says.

ENDS

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