Earthquake Update Eleven – Canterbury District Health Board

Earthquake Update Eleven – Canterbury District Health Board

Please attribute to Canterbury District Health Board Chief Executive David Meates:

BOIL ALL WATER UNLESS IT’S BOTTLED

Public Health leaflets and hand-sanitisers are being distributed at water tanker depots and welfare centres.

All water should be boiled – unless it’s been bought in a sealed bottle -- that includes water from water tankers at refill stations Hand-sanitisers have been ordered and is expected to be available from water stations from today. “We’re doing everything we can to minimise the risk of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea). Washing hands and boiling water are two of the most important things people must remember to do.”

MEDIA ARE NOT TO ACCESS CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL OR STAFF WITHOUT PERMISSION

NEW COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE AT COWLES STADIUM
An Australian Army field community medical centre has been set up at Cowles Stadium (Saturday 26 February).The 75-bed facility will be staffed by Australian clinicians including six emergency department doctors, 13 nurses, general surgery staff, orthopaedic staff, general trauma, anaesthetists and support staff. It will operate as a Primary Health Centre to support General Practices in the eastern suburbs who are having difficulty delivering health services. The Centre will provide free primary care until Sunday night along with other GP Clinics in Christchurch. The Centre will have capacity to manage expected outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the eastern suburbs and a mobile community dental clinic will be operational from Monday.

The Community Health Centre is located in Pages Road and will be open 7 days 8am – 8 pm.
IF YOU NEED MEDICAL CARE PHONE YOUR OWN GP FIRST
Phone your own General Practice (GP) Team first – if they’re not open a nurse will answer the call and direct you to the nearest GP practice that’s open.

If your own GP’s phone isn’t working please contact the Pegasus 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue – 365 7777. They have a team of nurses able to provide health advice and can provide self-care advice on how to care for minor injuries and illnesses at home. They will also direct callers to the nearest medical centre.

The Pegasus 24-hour medical centre in Bealey Avenue is open after-hours and clinics at Moorhouse Medical Centre and the Riccarton Clinic are open from 8am to 8pm daily.

The Rural GP Practice in Kaiapoi is also providing 24-hour services to patients in Christchurch who are not able to access their own GP Teams.

Approximately 74 practices are operating today in Christchurch some with restricted hours.

Please keep Christchurch Hospital for emergencies only. If you need an ambulance, please phone 111.

FREE GP CARE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL SUNDAY

Canterbury residents with urgent medical needs can visit a GP free of charge until Sunday.

PRESCRIPTIONS FEES WAIVED UNTIL SUNDAY

Patients will not have to pay the $3 co-payment or any other part-charges or premiums on their prescriptions until the end of Sunday.

REST HOME RESIDENTS BEING RELOCATED

More rest home residents are being relocated today. Sixty three patients are being transferred today. 17 to Timaru and 29 to Oamaru with the rest going further afield. A further 65 a likely to be relocated tomorrow.

Some rest home residents have gone home with family members or friends and it is very important that they make contact and stay in contact with their family general practice to ensure the medical needs of their elderly relative are being met.

Many rest homes need logistical help especially with practical things like, water and laundry.

Respite care capacity is significantly limited and access if via GP referral only.

Rest home staff are doing an amazing job keeping their residents safe and well looked after despite the trying circumstances.

HEALTH CARE AT WELFARE CENTRES
St John Ambulance, Public Health Nurses and army medics are working together at Welfare Centres.

A team of public health nurses will be working at the Welfare Centres focusing on infection control, hand hygiene and isolating any cases of suspected gastroenteritis or measles. Teams will be on site every day while the centres are open.

Army medics and St John Ambulance staff will also be present at each welfare centre.

Centres are currently located at:
Rangiora Baptist Church
Burnside High School
Rolleston Community Centre - A new welfare centre will open at the Rolleston Community Centre from 6 pm today with the capacity to take 1000 people. The Rolleston community centre has improved facilities and has all services up and running including sanitation and power.
LOOKING FOR AN INJURED FAMILY MEMBER WHO MAY BE IN HOSPITAL?
Relatives looking for injured family members at Christchurch Hospital should go to the Great Escape Café in the main foyer where a relative centre has been set up and there are social workers and police available. To report missing people, contact Red Cross 0800 733 276.

The relative care centre will be open Saturday and Sunday - 8am- 4.30pm at the Great Escape café. It will continue to be staffed by Social Workers.

Police will be located at the Papanui Liaison office at Papanui Police Station.

CDHB HAS SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR STAFF
Staff can keep up to date via Canterbury District Health Board’s Facebook page.

CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL IS OPERATIONAL

Hospital services are continuing to provide care for hundreds of inpatients. Staff are doing a remarkable job considering everyone has been affected by the quake. All hospital buildings are constantly being checked for damage by structural engineers. Patient volumes are steady this morning.

Staffing levels are good and have been boosted by colleagues from around the country. Stable patients continue to be transferred to other hospitals to free beds for the seriously ill.

Maternity services continue to be busy, as is the neonatal intensive care unit. Babies continue to be transferred to other units around the country.

Orthopaedics and Cardiology services also remain busy. The emergency department is steady at the moment and managing the workload very well.

We are awaiting updated numbers of patients who have been treated/admitted and will include as soon as we can.

OUTPATIENT SERVICES AT CHRISTCHURCH HOSPITAL
• All orthopaedic fracture follow-up clinics at Christchurch Hospital are continuing as normally scheduled.

• Patients with elective outpatient clinic appointments for non-acute problems will be contacted by CDHB.

• General Practitioners (GPs) will continue to refer patients for specialist assessment on the basis of clinical need, recognising CDHB’s limited resources.

• Paediatric clinics are closed for the rest of the week.

• Community Oncology – Oncology Clinics will be starting on Monday. Try and have your clinic appointment letter with you to enable you to get through the cordon.

• The Diabetes Centre is closed until further notice. The CDHB diabetes team are offering a semi-acute service and will be working out of Parkside Outpatients. Please send any urgent referrals you may have to Fax number 3640419, attn Diabetes

• Emergency Adult Dental Services. The oral health emergency centre has been relocated to Hillmorton. This is a Monday to Friday service only. For appointments Ph 3354260.

ALL ELECTIVE SURGERY POSTPONED UNTIL 7 MARCH

All elective surgery (public and private) in Christchurch is postponed until Monday 7 March 2011 at earliest. Alternative arrangements are being made for non-deferrable surgery.

LIST OF GP PRACTICES OPEN (As at 25 February 2011)
Note: This list is subject to change. You should always phone your own GP first and if they’re not available you will be directed to the nearest
GP surgery that’s open.

Amberley Medical Centre open
Amyes Road Surgery open
Avonhead Surgery (Davey) open
Avonhead Surgery (Shand) open
Barrington Medical Centre open
Belfast Medical Centre open
Belfast North MEDIQUAL Doctors open
Bishopdale Medical Clinic open
Bryndwr Medical Rooms open
Cashmere Medical Practice open (limited hours)
Cashmere Health & Physiotherapy open
Clyde Road Surgery
Cranford Street Medical Practice open
open
Darfield Medical Centre Limited open
Doctors on Riccarton open
Eastcare Health open
Fendalton Medical Centre open
Ferry Road Medical Centre open
Grahams Road Surgery open
Greers Road Medical Centre open
Halswellhealth open
Harewood Medical Centre open
Helios Integrative Medical Centre open
Hillmorton Medical Centre open
Hoon Hay Medical Centre open
Hornby Medical Centre open
Hornby Surgery open
Isbell Medical Practice Limited open (limited hours)
Innes Road Medical Rooms open
Kendal Medical Centre
Kingdom Clinic open
open
Leeston Medical Centre open
Lincoln Medical Limited open
Lincoln Road Medical Practice
Lincoln University Student health open
open
Linwood Avenue Medical Centre open
Lyttelton Surgery open
Main North Road Medical Centre open
Mairehau Medical Centre limited, doing house calls
Mansfield Health Practice
Merivale Medical Practice open
Moorhouse Medical Centre open
Mt Pleasant Medical Centre open
New Brighton Health Care open ( combined with New Brighton Village Health)

Normans Road Surgery open
North Avon Medical Centre open
Opawa Surgery open (limited hours)
Parklands Medical Centre limited
Papanui Medical Centre
Piki Te Ora open
Limited (urgent cases)
Prestons Road Surgery open
Promed Edgeware Doctors open
QE2 Medical Centre limited
Redcliffs Medical Centre open
Redwood Clinic open
Riccarton Medical Practice open
Roimata Medical Practice
Rolleston Medical Centre open
open
Selwyn Street Medical Centre open
Settlers Health Centre limited
Somerfield Medical Centre limited
St Albans Medical Centre open
Sumner Health Centre
St Martins Med Practice open
open
Straven Medical Rooms
Sumner Health Centre open
open
Travis Medical Centre open
Te Rawhiti Family Care open
Templeton Medical Centre open
The Surgery open
Upper Riccarton Medical Centre (Taylor/Olds) open
Upper Riccarton Medical Centre (HuntWheeler) open
Union and Community Health Centre open
Waimairi Road Medical Rooms open
Waltham Medical Centre open
Wainoni Medical Centre open limited hours
Woodham Road Health Care open
Yaldhurst Family Doctors open

DIABETES

The Diabetes Centre is closed until further notice. The CDHB diabetes team are offering a semi-acute service for people who cannot access their GP and have unstable diabetes or other serious diabetes-related issues which require further advice or assessment. Patients who are unable to access their GP can phone 364 0640 to be put in touch with a diabetes triage nurse who is available 8am to 5pm only. If outside these hours contact the Bealey Ave 24-hour medical centre.

HEALTHLINE

Healthline provides health advice 24-hours a day, seven days a week. Phone: 0800 611 116. Calls are answered by a registered nurse. Healthline uses language line and can access translators in many languages. Healthli
ne can also transfer callers to mental health professionals for advice and support.
GPs WANTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WAIVED FEES

Should phone 353 9966 (Pegasus)
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"

Mental Health Nurses are available to provide support in the community. Please phone your GP Team for information.

POSSIBLE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS TO AN EARTHQUAKE - ANXIETY DISORDERS UNIT, CDHB.

We have now experienced two major earthquakes and are continuing to experience ongoing aftershocks with significant consequences for many people. Following such immensely upsetting events, people understandably feel distressed. This can last days or weeks. Allowing enough time to heal physically and mentally is important to recovery, as is support from friends and family. Some people find it helpful to talk about what has happened to them, others prefer not to discuss it. Either strategy is fine, provided you feel able to choose what you do.

The earthquakes and the ongoing aftershocks have had their effects on everyone. It is common to experience the following responses:

• Fatigue and exhaustion particularly as time goes on.
• Feeling frightened, on edge, nervous, and tense.
• Sleep disturbance such as difficulty getting to sleep or waking often, waking early and not returning to sleep, and nightmares.
• Being easily startled and looking out for danger.
• Feeling various emotions such as fear, sadness, grief, guilt or self-blame, shame, irritability, anger or feeling numb or detached from self or others. You may also notice marked swings in your emotions.
• Anxiety symptoms like a racing heart, rapid breathing, trembling, sweating, loss of appetite and stomach upsets.
• Impaired concentration, decision making and memory which may obviously make us less productive.
• Worrying about what might have been or having to deal with real ongoing concerns.
• Feeling a sense of lack of control.
• Thoughts and memories about the event continuing to pop into your mind, even days or weeks afterwards.
• Feeling like the distressing events are happening again (i.e., flashbacks).
• Feeling disconnected from reality, like you’re in a dream.
• Increased conflict in our relationships, over-protectiveness or social withdrawal.

Reactions can be triggered by further aftershocks, images (things we read or see), and particularly sounds, smells, or movements (such as shaking or swaying) that remind you of the experience.

Usually, these reactions will gradually lessen over the following days to weeks as we make sense of what has happened.

Many people have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and other valued aspects of their lives. Grief is a normal reaction to this and can take many forms, such as distress, anger, sadness, disbelief, guilt, and helplessness. Peoples’ reactions may differ; there is no “right” way to grieve and no “right” timeframe.

It is really important to allow yourself time to work through the experience of the earthquakes. There are many different ways of coping. These may include

• Talking to family, friends, neighbours and colleagues if this feels okay for you. This may help you feel less alone and more understood, as well as, leading to offers of help. If you do not feel like talking this is okay too.

• Trying to keep a regular sleep patterns (appreciating aftershocks may be disrupting sleep at times).

• Re-establishing usual routines if and when possible (e.g., housework, meals, interacting with others, exercise).

• Eating regularly and being mindful of nutrition.

• Keep physically active which helps reduce tension and anxiety.

• Pacing yourself by keeping busy and taking time to relax.

• Try to increase positive and engaging activities by doing things you enjoy or find satisfying you will improve your mood and less time to dwell. Everyone needs some sense of satisfaction no matter how small.
• Be careful not to overwhelm yourself or your family with excessive media coverage of the events because this may increase your distress at times. This may also apply to checking earthquake activity sites on the internet.

• Setting realistic goals, if you try to behave as you did before the recent earthquake you might begin to feel overwhelmed. Allowing a bit of space to come to terms with the earthquakes is important.

• Try not to become exhausted by trying to get everything done at once. This is a big challenge and will take time.

• Remember having more than four to six cups of caffeinated drinks per day may increase your anxiety levels, and interfere with your sleep.

• Try not to increase your use of alcohol or recreational drugs. These may initially relax you, but as they withdraw from your system, they likely will increase your anxiety and affect your sleep patterns.

There is no set way of doing this. Whatever feels right for you will work best.

A common concern people will often have is the reaction of children to such events. It is important to remember that children generally are resilient.

However, younger children may still be more clingy, be experiencing bad dreams (not always just about the earthquake), loss of appetite, and may complain of physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches.

Suggestions for supporting children include the following:

• Be supportive and reassuring, your children may need to be held.
• Your child’s fears are genuine to them, this may include worries they may be separated from their parents and needing them close. Talk this through with them. Your child may want to re-enact or draw pictures about the earthquake, this is okay.
• Listen to your child’s fears and explanations about what happened.

CANTERBURY DHB STAFF ARE TO TURN UP TO WORK FOR THEIR NORMAL ROSTERED HOURS
Staff are not required to come in outside of their rostered hours. Please check with your manager what these hours are.
CHECK ON YOUR NEIGHBOURS AND KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
At times like this it’s important to look out for elderly neighbours and others who live alone.
TAKE YOUR MEDICATIONS WITH YOU
If you’re moving out of your home or leaving Christchurch remember to take your regular medications and prescriptions with you.
BOIL ALL WATER – EVEN IF IT’S COME FROM A WATER TANKER
Less than half the city has had reticulated water supplies restored, however, everyone living in Christchurch should continue to assume tap water is contaminated and unsafe to drink until advised otherwise by Council.
All water (from a tap or a tanker) should be boiled for one minute before drinking, brushing teeth or washing/preparing food.
-Water being boiled in a pot should be boiled for one minute
-Water being boiled in a kettle should be brought to the boil twice.
Councils will be testing water supplies intensively and will advise when the water is safe to use without boiling. Even though water may look clear, it should be treated as contaminated and unsafe to drink because of damaged underground water and sewage pipes. Do not use river water for drinking or washing.
CHRISTCHURCH WOMEN’S HOSPITAL IS OPEN & RECEIVING PATIENTS
Burwood birthing unit is closed today.
Lyndhurst Centre is closed until Monday and women with appointments will be contacted by a staff member.
Rangiora and Lincoln birthing units are open.
METHADONE PATIENTS
If you are a methadone patient and your usual pharmacy is closed, phone the Community Alcohol and Drug Service (CADS) on 335 4350 and they will direct you to the nearest pharmacy.
MEALS ON WHEELS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK
Meals on wheels are not available until early next week. It is planned to resume on Tuesday – if you have elderly neighbours or people who live alone, please check on them and help out if you can with meals and support.
OTHER KEY PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGES
People need to take the following advice to avoid getting sick with stomach bugs and other illnesses.
Surface waters
People should avoid contact with sewage. Assume river, sea water and any other surface water is contaminated with sewage. People should stay away and not swim, fish or gather shellfish in the sea, Canterbury rivers or any standing water until notified.
People who have sewage contamination within their homes should be advised to move to alternative accommodation.
Make sure you wear shoes, due to broken glass, debris and sewage leaks.
Toilets
Conserve water if you have it.
People should be advised to flush toilets sparingly.
“If its yellow let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down.”
People who do not have a flushing toilet are advised to make a temporary toilet with a bin lined with two plastic bags. The bin should be covered between uses. The contents can be buried when the bin is no longer needed. Details of how to make a temporary toilet can be found at http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/protecting-your-health-in-an-emergency
Hand washing
Frequent hand washing needs to be emphasised. Where people do not have access to water, alcohol gel is a good alternative. Hands do not need to be dried if alcohol gel is used.
Remind people to wash hands, particularly after:
• Using the toilet
• Before and after preparing food
• Handling rubbish or waste
• Cleaning toilets, bathrooms
• Handling soiled clothing or bed linen
• Handling cleaning equipment such as cloths, buckets and mops
Hand washing stops diseases spreading. Cold water is fine as long as soap is used and hands are thoroughly dried.
Dishwashers
Conserve water if you have it. If dishwashers are used a full hot wash with detergent (not economy wash) must be used. Dishes must be allowed to dry fully prior to use.
Contact with neighbours/friends
People should be encouraged to look after each other. Advise people to keep in touch with families, friends and neighbours and support each other.
Food safety
Members of the public and food business operators should phone the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) on 0800 693 721 (0800 NZFSA1) if they have any enquiries.
PHARMACIES THAT ARE OPEN TODAY
All Ashburton pharmacies are open
Airport Pharmacy Ltd
Akaroa Pharmacy
Amberley Pharmacy Ltd
Avonhead Pharmacy Ltd
Barrington Health Centre Pharmacy
Wilsons Barrington Pharmacy
Barrington Unichem Pharmacy
Bastins Pharmacy
Belfast Pharmacy
Bells Pharmacy Lyttelton Ltd
Bush Inn Pharmacy Ltd
Unichem Bishopdale Pharmacy
Casebrook Pharmacy Ltd
Centre Court Pharmacy
Dales Pharmacy Ltd
Darfield Pharmacy
Ewart Douglas Pharmacy
Elmwood Pharmacy
Fendalton Mall Pharmacy
Ferry Road Pharmacy
Graeme Smith Pharmacy
Halswell Masons Pharmacy
Hammersley Pharmacy
Hardings Chemist
Hardings Pharmacy
HealthWorks Pharmacy
Hei Hei Pharmacy
Hillmorton Pharmacy
Hoon Hay Pharmacy
Hornby Unichem
Ilam Pharmacy
Kaiapoi Crossing Pharmacy
Kaiapoi Amcal
Kendall Pharmacy
Kirk Road Templeton Pharmacy
King Medicine Management (open for Resthomes only)
Leeston Pharmacy
Lincoln Pharmacy
Linwood Dispensary Limited (Urgent patients only)
Mairehau Pharmacy
Netherby Pharmacy
North Avon Pharmacy Practice
Oxford Pharmacy
Papanui Pharmacy
Parklands Pharmacy
Parkside Pharmacy (at the main entrance to Christchurch Hospital)
Radius Church Corner
Rangiora Pharmacy
Redwood Pharmacy
Rolleston Pharmacy
Stantons Pharmacy
Unichem Ashburton
Wairakei Road Pharmacy
Merivale Medical Centre Pharmacy
Stavely Street Pharmacy
Searles Allenton Pharmacy
Selwyn Community Pharmacy
Shields Pharmacy
Skelley & Amcal Chemist
Spreydon Pharmacy
Staywell Pharmacy
Waltham Pharmacy
Wise’s Pharmacy
Wyatt Chemist
Union Street Pharmacy

ENDS

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