Sally Webb

Chair, Bay of Plenty District Health Board

From the Chair

It’s great to have the feel of spring in the air again and the days starting to stretch out a bit. This time of the year always makes me feel a bit excited and enthusiastic because I love the warmer weather and the longer days.

There are two particular initiatives in this edition that I think are really worth people in the Bay of Plenty getting enthusiastic about.

The first is the Kathleen Kilgour Centre that has been built on the Tauranga Hospital Campus. This is the new radiotherapy centre that is due to be fully open on October 1. This will make such a difference for our Bay of Plenty people who need to have radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment. Instead of travelling all the way to Hamilton for assessment and treatment, they will be seen and treated in Tauranga. This will really lift a burden off patients and their families at a very difficult time. Read more about the Centre below. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those

who have put their time, energy and resources into this initiative; without your commitment this would never have become a reality for people of the Bay.

The second article I would like you all to give some thought to is the Open for Better Care Patient Survey. This is the nationwide survey that is undertaken by the Health Quality & Safety Commission. Patient surveys are hugely important for the District Health Board. They are an opportunity for you, the patient, to provide us with honest feedback on the service you receive. It’s important that we know when things aren’t going well so we can make improvements and ensure that doesn’t happen again. It’s equally as important that we know where things are going well so our staff get that positive feedback. Our staff work hard and hearing the compliments are a great way to acknowledge that. So, if you get the opportunity please make the time to fill in those patient surveys.

Enjoy the spring.

Children in the Eastern Bay undergoing rehabilitation and diagnostic therapy are benefiting from new equipment thanks to a donation by the Edgecumbe Op Shop.

Occupational Therapist Elsie Van der Merwe from the Whakatane Hospital Child Development Service says they owe a big thank you to the shop.

“Their generous donation went towards the purchase of a wall mirror which allows children to have instant feedback on their movements, helps them learn to emotionally regulate, and is an excellent bio-therapy tool,” she says.

Another big thank you is extended to Edgecumbe College Year 7-8 Technology Teacher Steve Jeffares for organising students to help him build a set of stairs for the service.

“The stairs will be used to assist in

assessment of gross motor skills,” says Elsie. “This new equipment will help children to become engaged with their therapy and encourage them to explore their environment.”

Teacher Steve Jeffares was keen to get involved in the project and says it’s just part of the job.

“It helps my students to understand that technology is more than just a bit of fun mucking around with saws and drills,” he says. “There’s a world out there where the skills they’re learning are in demand. The other lesson they’re learning is this: if you get the opportunity to do something nice for someone, jump at it!”

Child Development Service staff are pleased at the huge contribution and support received from the Edgecumbe Community.

The new Kathleen Kilgour Centre opened last week. The Centre is a privately owned radiotherapy centre on the Tauranga Hospital campus and where Bay of Plenty cancer patients will receive their radiation treatment.

State-of-the-art equipment includes two linear accelerators housed in three bunkers, a CT scanner which will be used for planning patients’ treatments, and the latest in patient planning computer software.

The building is as environmentally sustainable as possible, and is both environmentally advanced and energy efficient.

When welcoming the announcement of the Centre in June 2013, Chair of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board Sally Webb said it was such good news, as Bay of Plenty

radiotherapy patients would no longer need to travel to the Waikato for their treatment.

The Centre estimates they will see and treat approximately 550 patients a year, about 30 per cent of Health Waikato’s volumes.

The Kathleen Kilgour Centre has recruited its new staff both nationally and internationally, with one senior radiation oncologist from Australia, the Chief Physicist from the USA and other staff from within New Zealand.

Patients have begun their assessments at the Centre, and treatments will begin from October 1.

Any patient who has begun their treatment at another centre will continue at that centre as it’s imperative their treatment continues on the same machine.

Bay of Plenty cancer patients can now receive their radiation therapy at the newly built Kathleen Kilgour Centre on the Tauranga Hospital campus. Pictured with new state-of-the-art radiation equipment is from left: BOPDHB Chief Operating Officer Pete Chandler, BOPDHB Chair Sally Webb, Kathleen Kilgour Centre Medical Director Dr Leanne Tyrie and BOPDHB Oncologist Dr Richard North.

Kathleen Kilgour Centre

Generous donations help sick kids

Edgecumbe College Year 8 Tech Teacher Steve Jeffares (right) supervises Ben McClure in the building of new stairs for the Whakatane Hospital Child Development Service.

Eastern Bay EditionSeptember 2014

Currently more than 30 people volunteer at our regions hospitals in Tauranga and Whakatane.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) Volunteer Coordinator Lesley Grant says volunteers are a vital part of the hospital community providing comfort, support and information to patients.

“Our wonderful volunteers range from age 17 to 70 years and are here to help patients with things that other staff members may not have time to do,” she says. “For example taking them on a walk or to a clinical appointment, assisting with serving meals, or chatting with the patient and family. All of this is done under the direction and request of staff.”

Lesley says anyone can become a volunteer in any part of the hospital - you don’t need to have a medical or clinical background. In the Children’s Ward the group of volunteers, called the Children in Hospital Liaison Group, provide support for families, supervise the children in the play area and help to maintain resources.

“The group originally worked out of the lounge on the ground floor and provided art and activities for

two hours each morning. Their trolley of goodies was often the highlight of the children’s day and eager participants waited patiently for them to open the doors,” says Lesley.

Since 2005 the group has worked alongside the hospital play specialists to support a therapeutic play programme which aims to meet the developmental, emotional and social needs of children and young people in a hospital setting.

Pam Phelan is currently volunteering in Tauranga’s Health in Ageing Ward while she completes her Healthcare Assistant Course.

Clinical Nurse Manager Fay Mattson says they are so lucky to have Pam on board.

“All of the small but necessary tasks that Pam does help to free up my busy team a little so we can concentrate on healing our patients,” she says.

If you’d like to become a volunteer at one of our hospitals please contact Lesley Grant for more information on 07 579 8650 or by email to lesley.grant@bopdhb.govt.nz

Countdown staff across the Bay have come up with inventive ideas such as Gala days, raffles and karaoke nights, to raise money for the 2014 Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal.

Both Tauranga and Whakatane hospitals have benefited from this fundraising initiative which has raised nearly $7 million since 2007 to help change the lives of sick Kiwi kids.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board CEO Phil Cammish says the Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal allows our hospitals to obtain those extra little luxuries and pieces of clinical equipment we could not ordinarily afford.

“These not only help children during their hospital stay, for example providing distractions through play equipment, but also in some cases make their stay shorter through the use of advanced technologies,” he says.

“We look forward to supporting Countdown each year with their fantastic efforts in mobilising not only their own staff, but their community, in helping us help children.”

Everyone can participate by making a donation or engaging in local activities and raffles. To donate: simply visit your local Countdown supermarket and donate at the checkout; purchase a Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal wristband or raffle ticket in-store; or visit www.countdown.co.nz to make a donation through the online shopping website.

Help Countdown staff fundraise for kids hospital appeal

Pam Phelan (left) is currently volunteering in Tauranga’s Health in Ageing Ward while she completes her Healthcare Assistant Course. Pictured with Health in Ageing Ward Clinical Nurse Manager Fay Mattson.

Patient wellbeing improved by volunteers

Three-year-old Wiremu le Comte, who dreams of one day becoming a race car driver, is one of the faces of the 2014 Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal. Wiremu was born with a congenital deformity (club foot) and has undergone seven extensive operations at Tauranga Hospital. He is now a regular user of a monitoring system purchased with the funds from previous Countdown Kids Hospital Appeals.

Patients surveyed on hospital experienceA new survey is encouraging patients to give feedback on their hospital stay.

Initially 400 patients - who spent at least one night in Tauranga or Whakatane Hospital between August 4 and 17 - have been selected to take part.

Patients will receive emails and text messages inviting them to participate in the national survey. Responses will then be collated to give a rating out of 10 in four areas: coordination, partnership, communications, and physical and emotional needs.

The survey is being undertaken simultaneously across all 20 New Zealand District Health Boards. It will be the first time hospital patients’ feedback has been collected and measured in the same way nationwide. Similar national surveys will be run every quarter going forward.

In addition to the national quarterly surveys, the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) will be running similar surveys in the same format on a fortnightly basis.

BOPDHB Quality and Patient

Safety Manager Debbie Brown says the surveys demonstrated the ongoing commitment to improvement and the value placed on patient feedback.

“It’s really important to get the views of our patients,” she says. “This process means we can collect consistent timely feedback on our services and what we can do to improve them. The fortnightly surveys will be a larger sample size and will go out to patients who have supplied us with their email addresses or mobile numbers. They will usually be contacted around 10 days after their stay, as this gives them the chance to reflect on their experience before giving feedback.”

Developed by the Health Quality & Safety Commission, the survey is designed to help ongoing improvement of hospital care quality.

Patients will be able to fill in the survey online using a computer, tablet or smartphone. The survey responses will be anonymous unless patients choose to supply contact details.

Results of the first survey will be available on the commission’s website in October 2014.

Bay of Plenty residents are being asked to think twice about that soft drink, juice, sports drink, energy drink or flavoured milk they may have, or pack in their children’s lunchbox.

Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet says many sugary drinks have no nutritional value.

“My advice is to avoid sugary drinks except perhaps as an occasional treat. When choosing a drink, water is generally the ideal option for hydration,” says Dr de Wet. “There are lots of no or low sugar options for drinks, and for children, water or milk are the best options.”

The World Health Organisation guidelines suggest that we have no more than 12 teaspoons of sugar a day and it’s suggested that aiming for less than six teaspoons will have more health benefit.

“The amount of sugar in sugary drinks varies but can be surprisingly high. For example, a single can of soft drink may contain around eight teaspoons of sugar,” says Dr de Wet.

“Every day we make choices for ourselves and our families about what to drink. One easy and important step to improve our diets and health, and those of our children, is to cut down on sugar and sugary drinks.”

In New Zealand, two-thirds of adults and 3 in 10 children are considered overweight or obese. Regular consumption of sugary drinks is associated with health conditions such as obesity and tooth decay.

Rethink that sugary drink New Zealanders’ daily drinking habits mean many are exceeding their recommended sugar intake, says a public health expert.

When did you last learn something new? When we keep learning we tend to have better mental wellbeing, according to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board Mental Health Coordinator Chris Angus says we can improve our mental wellbeing through ‘doing’ in the same way that we improve our physical fitness.

“One of the key ingredients of good health is Whāia te mātauranga hei oranga mō tātou – seek after learning for the sake of your wellbeing," he says. “In this sense learning (such as reading, attending courses, discussion groups, belonging to forums and

challenging ourselves) is like the gym for the brain and soul.”

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (October 6 – 12) is to ‘Keep Learning’.

“This is quite simple,” says Chris. “Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course or take on a different responsibility at work. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food.”

“When we keep learning, we tend to have better mental wellbeing. So why

not set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun. Seek out new experiences and dare yourself.”

The Mental Health Foundation has put together a whole raft of ideas to help you and your family keep learning throughout your lifetime. Visit www.mentalhealth.org.nz/mhaw for more information.

Registered Nurse Vicki Zumbraegel is spreading the word that problems with incontinence are not normal and can be treated.

Protect your pelvic floor Mum of three, Registered Nurse and Personal Trainer Vicki Zumbraegel knows a thing or two about pelvic floor muscles. Along with the New Zealand Continence Association, Vicki is urging women to practice pelvic floor-safe exercises and work to protect and strengthen their pelvic floor.

A strong pelvic floor supports the bladder, uterus and bowel, but if pelvic floor muscles become weak, problems such as incontinence (loss of bladder and bowel control) and prolapse can occur. One in three women suffers from incontinence, an estimated 1.1 million people in New Zealand aged 15 years or over.

Vicki had stress incontinence since the birth of her second baby, caused by pelvic floor muscles stretched and weakened by pregnancy and childbirth. Going to the gym and doing exercises that were not pelvic floor-safe exacerbated the problem.

“I couldn’t participate with my children on sports day and run, let alone do a sack race. I wanted to wear the sack home!” she says. “I found myself wearing a cardigan on a hot day for ‘just in case’ moments of sneezing and wetting myself, so that I could put it around my waist.”

Vicki was under the impression that problems with incontinence were a regular part of childbirth.

“No health professional told me how to do pelvic floor exercises or what I could be doing to prevent it from worsening,” she says.

Since then, Vicki has aligned with the Continence Association to help other women. She has started her own business, Gratitude Fitness, practising as a women’s personal trainer specialising in pelvic floor health. The Continence Association is working to make women aware that incontinence is common, but is not normal and there are a variety of treatment options available.

Visit www.continence.org.nz for more information.

Inspirational programme changing livesMatt Hohua was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia more than 13 years ago, but thanks to a mental health provider in the Eastern Bay, he now runs three microbusinesses: Delivery Dudes, Te Tahi Tukka and Just Lawns.

Before joining Pou Whakaaro’s Microbusiness 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 said. “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 Whakatane and Kawerau-based organisation has helped people with a range of disabilities seize control of their lives by launching microbusinesses. They include lawn mowing, catering, delivery, gardening and maintenance services, as well as a worm tea project and a wooden products maker.

Clients meet for two hours every Monday to receive advice, discuss issues and listen

to speakers on small business. They 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.

“It is improving self-esteem and self-confidence; creating your own life and lifestyle is very empowering,” says Pou Whakaaro’s General Manager Claire Pye.

The programme, which has helped 18 clients in 11 start-ups over the last 18 months, carried off Gold in the Best Practice Support Programme category at the recent Annual Mental Health Service Conference in Perth. It trumped over 55 services and programmes from across Australia and New Zealand to win the award, which was a great achievement for a small local provider.

“We were gobsmacked to win,” says Claire. “As well as being exciting, it was really humbling. The success though is down to the people brave enough to get involved.”

2014 Mental Health Awareness Week Events

Tauranga

Event: Patient and Family Information

Date: Friday, October 10th

Time: 9am to 3pm

Venue: Tauranga Hospital’s main entrance, Cameron Road

Whakatane

Event: Hikoi for Health Karakia of Remembrance• Guest speaker• Stalls• Activities• Entertainment

Date: Friday, October 10th

Time: 11am to 2pm

Venue: Whakatane Library

Kawerau

Event: ProviderPresentations

Date: Thursday, October 2nd

Time: 9.30am to 2pm

Venue: Presbyterian Church, Onslow Street

Keep learning for better mental wellbeing

Matt Hohua has overcome mental health issues to run three businesses. Pictured receiving a recent international award from left: Professor Fiona Stanley, Matt Hohua, Pou Whakaaro General Manager Claire Pye, and Pou Whakaaro Community Services Manager Shellie Goldsmith.