Earthquake: 6 pm CDHB update

Earthquake: 6 pm CDHB update

Following a telephone conference held at 4.30pm involving CDHB sites in and around Christchurch as well as rural facilities, the following updates were given:

• All sites, including rural are operating as normal with the exception of Burwood which is operating on emergency power, though patient care is not affected.
• A boil water notice has been issued as a precaution for The Princess Margaret and Christchurch Hospitals. This notice remains in force until further notice. Bottled water has been ordered for these facilities.

• The number of earthquake-related casualties arriving at the Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital is still less than 20, many with stress-related complaints. No serious injuries have been reported.

• The 24 hour service in Bealey Avenue is operating as normal. Though busier than usual, people should still access this service through their General Practice number in order to free up the Emergency Department for genuine emergencies. The 111 service is operating normally for emergencies.

• The birthing unit at Burwood Hospital has had to be temporarily relocated. Although it is able to service its current patients, mothers who go into labour and had planned on giving birth at Burwood are requested to attend Christchurch Women’s Hospital instead.

• Christchurch City Council have reported that some sewage discharge to the Heathcote estuary has occurred. Members of the public are advised to avoid contact with water in or from the estuary for 48 hours from the last significant aftershock (until at least 4pm on Sunday providing there are no further aftershocks).

• The CDHB understands that Christchurch City Council will shortly issue a boil water notice for some of the eastern suburbs. The CDHB advises people to look out for and comply with such notices until they are lifted.

• All CDHB buildings are rechecked by structural engineers each time there is a significant aftershock and there are no reports of damage so far, or significant injuries to staff or patients who were at CDHB facilities when the aftershocks occurred.

ENDS

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