Doctor-patient consultations via video link are the future of healthcare and an answer to serving remote communities, according to Opotiki GP Dr Jo Scott-Jones. He’s been using telemedicine since the Opotiki Telehealth Project was launched on September 4.

“Just last weekend we had a patient with a suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the after-hours emergency room at the Opotiki Health Centre,” says Dr Scott-Jones, who was observing the patient remotely. “The camera could be moved around for me to see the area of the leg which was swollen and I could make a diagnosis on that basis. It turned out it wasn’t a DVT. The patient was really impressed with the additional contact we could have without me having to be physically there.”

Dr Scott-Jones says Telehealth has made an immediate impact and the benefits for patients and the medical profession alike are self-evident.

“What we have seen so far has been a reduced number of patients referred through to Whakatane Hospital. That means they don’t have to travel and can be dealt with closer to home. It’s more convenient for both the patient and the doctor, and saves both the patient and the system money as well.”

The joint initiative - between the Bay of Plenty District Health Board; the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; and the National IT Health Board – currently involves seven GP practices, plus health centres, aged care and palliative care facilities across the Eastern Bay.

Construction on the new Whakatane Hospital is nearing completion. The ‘keys’ to the building will formally be handed to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s General Manager of Property Services Jeff Hodson from Fletchers Construction early in 2014. Construction began in December 2012 and is on schedule for the new hospital to open for patients in mid-2014.

Mr Hodson said staff anticipation is increasing as the planning moves up a gear for shifting 800 staff followed by patients from one building to another.

“It is a huge task as everything has to be in place, tested and working before patients are shifted,” he said.

Landscaping in the new hospital’s central

courtyard is almost finished and Mr Hodson said staff who have visited the new wards, operating theatres and intensive care unit were surprised at the detail that had been completed while building is continuing.

“Hand hygiene dispensers and towel rails are on the walls already,” he said. “The detailed planning that is required in any construction job and particularly when building a hospital is essential as we have to get it right first time.”

He said that once the hospital is ready to accept patients, the whole building has to go through a clinical clean to ensure patient safety.

Video link with your doctor

The latest telemedicine technology is being rolled out across the region to allow GPs to video-link with patients and specialists, saving time and money. Pictured: Dr Scott-Jones is one the first GPs to use telemedicine in the Bay of Plenty.

New hospital on schedule for opening in 2014

Eastern Bay EditionNovember 2013

Sally Webb

Chair, Bay of Plenty District Health Board

From the ChairIt’s incredible to believe that we are in November already, and this is the last Health Matters for 2013. Next month marks the end of the three-year term of the Board that has been governing the District Health Board so I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for the commitment and effort they have demonstrated over the past three years. Your DHB Board members over this time have been; David Stewart, Gail McIntosh, Mark Arundel, Jacob Te Kupara, Marion Guy, Matua Parkinson, Mogens Poppe, Tamarapa Lloyd, Yvonne Boyes, Ron Scott, Punohu McCausland – Runanga Representative, and, of course, myself.

It has been a busy three years and there have been lots of positive achievements.

The progress we have made in improving our progress against the Minister of Health’s Targets has been excellent with especially pleasing results for Increased Childhood Immunisation, Better Help for Smokers to Quit, and Better Diabetes and Cardio Vascular Services. We have also made significant improvements in Waiting Time for Emergency Departments.

The Board has really appreciated the continual work that all health providers are undertaking to ensure we increase our performance against the Health Targets.

As well as the ongoing improvement in service provision there has been significant building development over the last three years. On the Tauranga site the hospital redevelopment has been completed and work has

commenced on a radiotherapy facility. This is a $32 million facility, which will be completed later in 2014, with treatments starting towards the end of 2014. This is good news for cancer patients as they will be able to get their treatment closer to home, while still benefiting from being part of the wider Midland Cancer Network. Then in Whakatane the new hospital is nearing completion and we anticipate it being ready for patients by May 2014.

As you will all be well aware we have just had the local body elections including those for the District Health Board. Seven Members are elected from across the Bay of Plenty region; those members who will service you for the next three years are; Mark Arundel, David Stewart, Marion Guy, Matua Parkinson, Yvonne Boyes, Judy Turner, Geoff Esterman.

The new Board takes up its responsibilities on December 9 when the elected members will be joined by a further four members appointed by the Minister of Health.

We are soon heading into the Christmas and holiday season so I would like to take this opportunity to thank all health providers across the Bay of Plenty for the dedication and commitment they show daily as they provide health services to you all.

In addition, many of us will be taking off for holidays. I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and holiday period, safe travels wherever you are and please remember when you are out in the superb summer to SLIP SLOP SLAP and WRAP.

“I am proud to say that with the support of the group and my family I am seven weeks smoke free.”

“I have been a cigarette smoker since I was 13. I wouldn’t have considered myself addicted until I noticed the bad habits and the constant chest infections and asthma issues.”

“My sister and I decided to join the gym and get in shape but I found myself finishing a big gym session then having a cigarette. I felt like I was not getting anywhere on the journey of fitness so I went

to see my GP and was referred to the cessation group. I suffer from severe anxiety and found that some of the patches and gum would make it worse for me, so I knew if I was to stop I had to go 100% cold turkey.”

“I found the support to be fantastic and it was a big eye opener hearing everyone’s stories. I thought I would get more cravings and mood swings but it was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I’m feeling fantastic and want to thank the group and my family who helped me on my journey.”

SMOKING - we’ve stopped forever

For more information on joining a Smoking Cessation Group, speak to your GP or phone Te Tohu O Te Ora O Ngati Awa on 07 306 0096

Nineteen year old Rochelle Reid says it feels amazing to walk into her

Smoking Cessation Group on a Wednesday night and blow a two on the carbon

monoxide reader.

The support of a Smoking Cessation Group has helped people of all ages and backgrounds to quit smoking for good. Here are the stories of two people who are now ex-smokers, thanks to their local Smoking Cessation Group.

“Seven weeks ago I was directed through my doctor to the Smoking Cessation Group. I really got some benefit out of hearing the personal stories and understanding what smoking had been doing to our bodies since we started the disgusting habit.”

“Quit Coach Sue Freeman led some of the sessions and she explained the different ways of quitting the habit. My idea was to get straight on to Champix, but after listening to some of the side effects I personally decided to go with the patches. I started using two patches and went from 25 a day, to 10, to eight, to two, then nil at

11am on Tuesday September 24.”

“The decision to quit was made very easy for me because of the information that was available to all of us. The tales we heard from everyone there and the prospect of blowing into the smokealyser and being the same or better than the others in our group, was a great time for all of us. We have a buddy system but I only needed to call my mate once and he certainly didn’t need me. That is how good this system of giving up is, you just know; that this is it. Job done.”

Greg Johnson says he will never smoke again thanks to the Smoking Cessation Group: “I now buy the best bait, burley and fuel for my boat instead of smokes - yahoo!”

In BriefYes to fluorideWhakatane District residents have voted to retain a fluoridated water supply with 60% voting in favour. Water fluoridation was first introduced for Whakatane over 40 years ago. This is the third referendum on the issue and the results of all three have been consistently in favour of fluoridated water. “We know from the New Zealand Oral Health Survey 2009 that children and adolescents living in fluoridated areas have 40% less tooth decay than those living in non-fluoridated areas,” said Dr Rudi Johnson, Principal Dentist for the Bay of Plenty DHB (BOPDHB), who added that the result was good news for local communities. For more information visit: www.bopdhb.govt.nz or www.fluoridefacts.govt.nz.

Two new faces on BoardLast month’s District Health Board elections saw two new faces voted onto the Bay of Plenty District Health Board. Judy Turner and Geoff Esterman join Mark Arundel, Marion Guy, Yvonne Boyes, David Stewart and Matua Parkinson. In the elections seven ‘at large’ positions from the Board area were selected from 19 candidates. In addition, the Minister of Health Tony Ryall will appoint a further four members, making a total of 11 members on the Board. Mr Ryall will also appoint the Board’s chair and deputy chair. New Board members take up their offices on Monday 9 December, 2013.

Keep mosquitoes out of NZOverseas many serious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever are spread through mosquito bites. These illnesses are occasionally brought into New Zealand by travellers, but can’t spread because the mosquitoes don’t live here. Mosquitoes breed in standing and stagnant water, and they don’t need much. Help prevent dangerous mosquitoes from establishing here by checking your own backyard and getting rid of ‘water traps’ such old tyres, bottles, bins or anything else outside that might trap stagnant water.

Reduce your risk while gardeningIf you enjoy gardening, help reduce your risk from a potentially serious illness. Compost, potting mix and garden soils often contain the bacteria which cause Legionnaires’ disease.

When working with compost and potting mix it’s important to take measures to avoid inhaling dust, such as:• Open potting mix and compost bags gently and away from your face.• Cut the bag open with scissors.• Water gardens using low pressure.• Avoid working in unventilated places.• When potting plants, wet the soil or compost first to reduce dust.• Wash your hands after handling soil or compost.

Join a clinical trialThe Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s Clinical Trials Unit is looking for more people to be part of their innovative research. The unit is currently recruiting patients for studies in: Crohns Disease; Ulcerative Colitis; Melanoma; Lung Cancer; Metastatic Bowel Cancer; Atrial Fibrillation; High Cholesterol with previous Heart Attack; and Breast Cancer. Being on a trial gives you the opportunity to obtain a new medicine or new procedure well before it’s available as a standard treatment option. Trials include free check-ups and regular assessments and consultations with your study doctor or nurse. For more info call 07 579 8565 or email linda.pattison@bopdhb.govt.nz.

Rochelle Reid

Greg Johnson

Matt Hohua was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia more than 13 years ago. He now runs three businesses thanks to Pou Whakaaro’s Microbusiness Programme.

The Whakatane and Kawerau-based organisation helps people with a range of disabilities seize control of their lives by launching microbusinesses. They include lawn mowing, catering, delivery, gardening and maintenance services, and a pet coffin maker.

General Manager Claire Pye says the programme started because they were struggling to find appropriate part-time employment for their clients.

“We thought small businesses

would give them great skills to take forward into employment,” she says.

Clients are taught subjects including: running a business; cashbooks; tax and IRD records; business expenses; self-presentation and marketing; customer satisfaction; and providing a good service.

As well as acquiring commercial skills it is the project’s impact on lives which is proving one of its major achievements. Before joining the programme, Mr Hohua said he had difficulty dealing with everyday life but that changed 18 months ago.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence from it,” he says. “For example dealing with customers, going to them, discussing exactly what they want; I wouldn’t have been able to do

that before. I get a great deal of satisfaction from the work, it gives your week a structure and when the weekends come you feel like you’ve earned them.”

The programme recently won a major regional award: the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s (BOPDHB) bi-annual Innovation Awards. Mrs Pye said winning the BOPDHB Innovation Award has given the Pou Whakaaro team the impetus to continue developing and building the microbusiness programme.

The awards recognise exceptional achievement in healthcare innovation. Pou Whakaaro’s Community Services Team won both the main award and the People’s Choice Award.

Inspirational programme changing lives

Pou Whakaaro’s Microbusiness Programme won this year’s Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s Innovation Award. Proudly receiving the award from BOPDHB Chair Sally Webb (fourth from the left) are: Community Connector Lisa Jackson, General Manager Claire Pye, Microbusiness Owner Matt Hohua, BOPDHB Chair Sally Webb, Kitchen Business Support Kevin Glibbery and Community Connector Ang Jackson.

Shane had been ill in hospital for many weeks when he was accepted onto the Hospital in the Home service.

“I missed home and I missed my family,” said Shane.

Shane had a complex infection that started in his kidney and extended to other tissues around it. After several weeks in hospital Shane was stable enough to go home, but still needed three more months of intravenous antibiotics.

Hospital in the Home is one of the services

offered by District Nursing. Hospital to Community Coordinator Heather Thomas says it’s like being in a ‘virtual’ hospital bed with a team of specialists available.

“It creates a real partnership with the staff, patients and their families,” she says. “Family is so important in a person’s recovery so be able to recuperate at home is a real advantage. Patients are fully supported by a team that may include doctors, district nurses, pharmacy, occupational and physiotherapy services, dietitians and social workers.”

The hospital staff prepared Shane and his family with equipment, teaching and support.

“The district nurse came every day to monitor me and change my antibiotic infuser,” says Shane. “I also had regular appointments with my consultant at the Outpatients Clinic. I felt so much better being at home. My wife and the rest of my family supported me at home. They all got involved.”

When Shane had been on the service for several weeks, he and his wife Davina were ready for more independence and Davina learned how to change the infuser daily. District Nurses

continued to visit twice weekly and Outpatient visits continued.

For more information on the Hospital in the Home service, contact Hospital to Community Coordinator Heather Thomas on 07 306 0706. A video interview with Shane and Davina can be viewed on the DHB’s website: www.bopdhb.govt.nz – click on BOPDHB TV, Patient Experience, Hospital in the Home.

Hospital in the Home

With the support of his wife Davina, Shane had three months of intravenous antibiotic therapy at home through the Hospital in the Home Service offered by the District Nursing Service.

Shane had a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) to deliver his antibiotics. A long soft thin catheter is threaded through a small vein in the arm and the tip rests in a big vein above the heart. It’s comfortable and can remain safely in place for many months.

From the CEO

Over the last year we have continued to see improvements in many areas of the health services here in the Bay of Plenty. Immunisation rates for our children continue to rise; the amount of surgery that people have accessed exceeded that planned for the year; people’s risk factors for heart disease and diabetes are being checked at a higher rate; which in turn and over time results in a healthier population.

We often forget in all the rush that our job as a health planner, funder and provider is not only to care for people when they are unwell, but to help them maintain their wellness, and when unwell return them to a level where their participation in the community can be re-established. To support this approach at least half the funding the DHB receives is not spent in our hospitals, but is used by GPs, laboratories, pharmacies, NGOs and kaupapa Māori organisations to provide healthcare in the community.

Recently we have been working with the new technologies, including video, to lessen the distance individuals have to travel in order to access specialist care. We are also looking at extending the number of individuals whose health conditions can be remotely monitored. There is nothing though that beats communities looking after their own. As we approach Christmas we should think about those in our community who are isolated, either socially or geographically, because as we know, isolation is a factor that often affects people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

As this is the last Health Matters for 2013, I wish you and your families all the best for a happy and safe Christmas. And remember moderation is often the best approach, especially where alcohol and high risk behaviours including driving are involved.

Phil Cammish

CEO, Bay of Plenty District Health Board

A realistic emergency exercise last month saw large sections of SH2 between Tauranga and Waihi closed due to flooding and slips, residential areas requiring evacuation and a stranded pregnant woman in distress.

The exercise was part of a wider Western Bay of Plenty Civil Defence and Emergency Management response to a severe weather event.

Seventeen Bay of Plenty District Health Board staff took part and DHB Operations Coordinator Stuart Taylor says it was a resounding success.

Incident Controllers Dr Joe Bourne, Peter Bassett and Dr Troy Browne all remarked and agreed that the exercise was realistic.

“It gives me greater confidence knowing the BOPDHB is well placed to manage through emergency events,” said Joe. Peter added: “It was also a real opportunity to test relationships with contracted providers and gauge and evaluate their ability to support the response.”

All participating members of the three BOPDHB Incident Management Teams (IMT) had previously received CIMS training. CIMS is the Co-ordinated Incident Management System – a response structure adopted by Emergency Services New Zealand wide.

The liaison member of each team was based at the Barkes Corner

Western Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Headquarters. There they took responsibility for communicating messages between the various agencies represented and the BOPDHB IMT assembled at the designated Emergency Operations Centre on site at Tauranga Hospital.

Over the course of the day each IMT, led by an Incident Controller, was presented with different challenges or ‘exercise injects’ to manage and plan for including: resthomes requiring evacuation; a multiple injury road crash; and a group of hypothermic fishermen - all against the backdrop of the limitations of the severe weather event.

The Emergency Operations Centre at Tauranga Hospital was the DHB’s hub for a recent emergency response exercise.

Severe weather exercise a success

The new sensory garden at Whakatane Hospital’s mental health ward – Te Toki Maurere – is somewhere for patients to relax and refocus.

The garden is built around the concept of sensory modulation - a calming and restorative therapy using the five senses of sight, sound, touch, smell and taste.

Staff Nurse Jan Freemantle says sensory modulation creates an environment where clients can calm themselves and reduce anxiety and stress.

“The client becomes empowered by a nurturing person-centered environment where they can to choose which sensory tools suit their needs,” she says.

The sensory modulation tools give clients a safe environment to self sooth and strategies they can transfer to their home environment.

“Engagement, interacting activities and communication skills are all enhanced by using sensory modulation, whether it’s in the ward, outside in our new gardens, or at home,” says Jan. “Sensory modulation is an alternative coping skill, drawing on positive life choices in the past to pave the way, developing strategies for the future.”

Girls on Grass installed the gardens with sensory impact in mind and Placemakers contributed trees to draw the native bird life to the area.

Calming approach to mental health

Staff Nurse Jan Freemantle in the new sensory garden at Whakatane Hospital’s mental health ward. The gardens have seating so clients can enjoy the sunshine, wind and bird song.

There are high levels of toxin in shellfish along parts of the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel Peninsula coastline. Eating shellfish from the affected area may result in Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).

The Medical Officer of Health strongly advises against the collection of shellfish from Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula, south to Waihi Beach, east along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Whakatane, Ohope and Opotiki and further along to, and including, Whangaparaoa near Cape Runaway in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. It also includes all harbours, estuaries and islands along this coastline.

The health warning applies to the following shellfish: mussels, pipi, tuatua, cockles, oysters, scallops as well as cat’s eyes, snails and kina (sea urchin). Shellfish containing toxic levels of PSP don’t look or taste any different from

shellfish that are safe to eat. Cooking or freezing the shellfish does not remove the toxin. Paua, crayfish and crabs can still be taken but as always, the gut should be removed before eating or cooking.

Eating shellfish affected by PSP toxin can cause numbness and tingling around the mouth, face, hands and feet; difficulty swallowing or breathing; dizziness; double vision; and in severe cases, paralysis and respiratory failure. These symptoms can start as soon as 1-2 hours after eating toxic shellfish and usually within 12 hours. Anyone suffering illness after eating shellfish should seek urgent medical attention.

The area covered by this warning is reviewed weekly. Please check Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service’s website, www.ttophs.govt.nz, or call 0800 221 555 for up-to-date information.

Toxic shellfish health warning