Questions and Answers

What changes will Golden Bay women see in maternity services?

The service will largely remain the same however women will be able to choose their midwife and receive continuity of care from the same midwife throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and for post-natal follow-up.  

Will the new service employ all the midwives currently at Golden Bay Community Hospital?

The agreements with the self employed midwives will be require comprehensive, safe, high quality services to be provided by appropriately qualified staff. How many midwives are employed to deliver these services is very much dependent on how the midwives choose to organise themselves to deliver these services.

Why is the service moving to a self employed model at this time?

The review of how maternity services are delivered in Golden Bay was prompted by a consideration on the impacts of integration of health services on how services will be delivered. They were considered by an expert group chaired by NMDHB’s Director of Nursing and Midwifery and including NMDHB’s Midwifery Adviser and local midwifery representation.

Will midwives receive a redundancy payment from the DHB?

The DHB will meet the terms and conditions of the employment contracts.

When was the consultation held, and what were the responses?

There were five responses to the consultation and while only one of these suggested a contracted service with self-employed midwives, others highlighted the need for a more flexible, efficient service for Golden Bay women.

In reaching the decision it was considered that the proposed model could retain the positive characteristics of the current service while providing a more responsive and flexible service.

What are the next steps for Maternity Services in Golden Bay?

To call for Expressions of Interest, develop and enter into agreements for a contracted service which we estimate will be in place by 1 July 2012.

Will the Golden Bay Community Hospital Midwives become employees of Nelson Bays Primary Health on 21 May, 2012 along with other staff members?

It is envisaged that Golden Bay Community Hospital midwives will remain employees of the DHB until the new service is established in July.

ENDS

This two-chair mobile unit will treat children from aged 0 to Year 8 at Havelock, Renwick, Seddon, Ward, and Picton Schools, and at Murchison Hospital. 

The clinic will treat around 2000 children per year.

Notices will be sent to parents asking them to book a convenient time to visit the oral health mobile clinic when it is in their area.

Community Based Service Director Peter Burton said, “This is the last clinic to be established in our district and I acknowledge the work that has gone into the oral health service over the planning and implementation stages of this project.

“Our district can now be proud of the oral health facilities offered to children, and we have up to date facilities that support modern standards of care.

“Computer access to treatment notes and a booking system that  is focussed on families has been introduced to all clinics including the mobile clinics which will make a significant difference to care.

“We also have Oral Health Educator positions across the district that means more education time with parents which will make a long-term difference to the oral health of our population.”

“We have worked out a schedule for the mobile clinic that works on a seven-stop cycle based on the schools mentioned. This allows optimum use of the mobile clinic, as it takes a day to move clinics from site-to-site and be set up,” said Mr Burton.

In addition to the mobile oral health clinics there are fixed Community Oral Health Clinics at Nelson, Motueka, Richmond, Stoke, and Blenheim.

ENDS

Marlborough Mobile Oral Health Clinic

Havelock - Havelock School 2 April to 20 April

Renwick - Renwick School 23 April to 8 June

Seddon - Seddon School 11 June to 22 June

Ward - Ward School 25 June to 29 June

Picton - Picton Primary School 3 July to 3 August

Murchison - Murchison Hospital 6 August to 17 August

Questions and Answers

How were decisions made about which schools will be visited by a mobile clinic?

The overall service configuration for Nelson Marlborough was arrived at after carefully balancing the issues of community need, geography, socio-economic factors, quality of care, and the clinical and economic sustainability of the service.

Why don’t mobile clinics visit every school?

It is a more efficient use of resources to have a fixed oral health clinic for the greater Blenheim area and a mobile clinic visit the outlying areas. However, taking a mobile to every school was considered during the planning process, but there are several major disadvantages with this approach:

The cost of installing concrete pads and associated power, water and drainage connections at every school would be prohibitive

Each move from one site to the next results in at least one day of lost productivity for the mobile clinic. This would be the equivalent of one mobile clinic being out of service over half of the time and the cost of the relocation and set up each time would be excessive.

Will parents receive a reminder prior to the appointment? 

Yes and text reminders.

What if the appointment is at a time that is not suitable?

Parents and caregivers can ring the clinic number on the appointment card to arrange a more appropriate time.

Will a child see the same therapist as previously seen in the school clinic?

We recognise the importance of continuity of care and the relationship between therapist and child,  and all practicable attempts will be made to continue that relationship. In the first instance please state this if it is your preference.

What if there is more than one child in a family who needs to attend – are there three different appointments for these children at different times or days?  Ring the clinic on the appointment card, and arrangements can be made to have consecutive appointments with the same therapist, or choose one time and the children treated by different therapists.

20 March 2012

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) staff will again have the opportunity to have a free influenza vaccination this year, to protect their patients, families and themselves.

20 March 2012

NMDHB Staff Influenza Immunisation

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) staff will again have the opportunity to have a free influenza vaccination this year, to protect their patients, families and themselves.

In 2011, 36 percent of NMDHB staff were vaccinated which is well below the national DHB average of 48 percent.

Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ed Kiddle said, “Coverage rates for healthcare workers in Nelson Marlborough DHB need to improve to protect vulnerable patients, staff, families and friends.

“It would be good if healthcare workers thought about the protection of patients when deciding whether or not to have the influenza immunisation.

“We know that some at-risk patients may not be able to have flu vaccines and rely on health care workers to be influenza-free.

Dr Kiddle said Swine Flu, covered in this year’s vaccine, is still in circulation and the seriousness of this and other influenza viruses shouldn’t be underestimated.

“Influenza is not just a ‘bad cold’.  Although some of the symptoms may be similar, influenza is much more severe.  Influenza can lead to serious complications, particularly in people with an existing medical condition.

“Although influenza is mild-to-moderate for most people, it can lead to serious complications and even death for others.  And even a moderate bout of influenza can prevent you from working, studying or enjoying other activities for a week or more.”

In 2012 the strains covered by the vaccine are:

·        A(H1N1)pdm09-like virus (Swine Flu) ;

·        A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;

·        B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

“Most years, the strains covered by the seasonal influenza vaccine change because influenza viruses evolve unpredictably.

In 2012, however, the strains are the same as in 2011. 

He said people who were vaccinated last year, however, should still be vaccinated again this year because the immunity offered by current influenza vaccines lessens over time, so a further vaccination is likely to offer better protection for the 2012 season.

Dr Kiddle said influenza immunisation cannot give you the flu as it does not contain live viruses.

Influenza immunisation is free for District Health Board employees and many other healthcare workers.

It is also important for people in the community to consider vaccination, particularly the elderly and those with certain medical conditions. Contact your Doctor or Practice Nurse for more information.

The community influenza immunisation programme also started in mid-March. Influenza immunisation is free for people 65 years or over and for people with some medical conditions.

For further information go to www.influenza.org.nz or www.moh.govt.nz or call 0800 IMMUNE 0800 466 863.

Ends

Questions and Answers

Why influenza immunisation is needed every year
Annual immunisation is required for two key reasons: first, because protection lessens over time; second, because, influenza can be caused by different strains of influenza viruses that are not always represented in the previous year's vaccine.

Seasonal influenza vaccinations are recognised as being the single most effective way of reducing the impact of seasonal influenza - especially for those most at risk of complications.  This can be particularly true for the elderly and others with weakened immune systems such as hospitalised patients.

How effective is the vaccine for healthy adults?
Influenza vaccination is approximately 80% effective in preventing infection with influenza A and B viruses in healthy adults under 65 years of age, when there is a good match between the vaccine and circulating influenza strains.

How long after vaccination does it take for antibodies to be produced?
It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to give full protection.

Can you get influenza from the vaccine?
No. The vaccines have been made from influenza virus that has been concentrated, inactivated, then broken apart.  It cannot cause influenza as the vaccine does not contain any live viruses.  When vaccinated, the body responds to the vaccine by producing an immune response.  This can include systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise and muscle aches.  Other respiratory viruses circulate during the winter months and influenza vaccines do not protect against these.  Most of these viruses cause milder infections (e.g. the common cold) and do not pose the same threat, particularly to those at higher risk.  They should not be confused with influenza.  Certain other infections may, on occasion, produce influenza-like symptoms and quite severe illness, which can lead to the suggestion that the vaccine is ineffective.

How long does immunisation last?
Protection should last throughout the influenza season and re-immunisation within 12 months is not usually necessary, unless travelling to the northern hemisphere during its peak influenza season. Immunisation is ideally provided in autumn, one or two months before the influenza season starts, to ensure that peak protection occurs during the season itself.

Katherine Rock | Communications Advisor | Nelson Marlborough DHB

p: 03 5461824 |m: 0274 466 799 |f: 03 546 1747 | katherine.rock@nmdhb.govt.nz

Media Release

Health Targets Results Released – Quarter Two 2011/12

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) has improved in most of the six health targets for the period October 1 to December 31, 2011.

The biggest changes came in the target that tracks whether people with Diabetes in the district had access to monitoring and treatment. Previous data issues had meant the target results were not accurate. The DHB shows the target is 76% achieved with the highest DHB achieving 81% of target.

NMDHB hospitals have consistently achieved a very high ranking in the Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments target reaching 97% of target.

General Manager Strategy and Planning, Dr Sharon Kletchko congratulated immunisation service providers for achieving 91% total coverage for children 24 months of age this quarter and 94% coverage for Maori children.

She said this is a significant five percentage point increase in total coverage. The collaborative work between DHB, PHOs and practices to improve coverage is evidenced in this increased coverage.

Congratulations were also due to all staff involved in smoking cessation in hospitals having reached 96% of the end of year target of having 95% of hospitalised smokers provided with advice and help to quit.

Improved access to elective surgery was the only target area that decreased over the three months from October to the end of December, going from 101% to 98% over this quarter.

Medical Surgical Service Directorate, Service Director, Dr Peter Bramley said, “The small drop in elective surgery numbers reflects the increased complexity of procedures being undertaken in the last quarter.  Plans are in place to ensure we reach 100% of this target.

“Patients will now be asked if they will accept treatment dates at either Wairau or Nelson Hospital, regardless of their home address.  Every effort will be made to offer a patient treatment at the hospital site closest to their home, however, there may be times when it will be quicker for the patient to be seen at the other hospital site.  

He said travel assistance for those with a community services card may be available.

Dr Bramley said “Specific areas where this may occur include General Surgery patients from Nelson travelling to Wairau Hospital where there is capacity for more theatre sessions to be run.  Urology patients may be offered treatment at both sites and Ear Nose and Throat patients from Wairau may be offered their First Specialist Assessment in Nelson to avoid long wait times.”

Nationally quarter two results for the Improved Access to Elective Surgery target show the national target has been achieved with 75,907 elective surgical discharges provided, against a target of 73,114 discharges. This is 2,793 (4 percent) more than planned.

ENDS

Attached Frequently Asked Questions and the Table showing the 20 DHBs Health Target Results

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Heather McPherson said, “I agree with my colleagues from Health Quality and Safety Commission when they say many of these events should not have occurred.

“Any preventable serious harm to a patient is a tragedy and it is our responsibility to learn from these incidents if we are to improve the safety and quality of care provided by our hospital services.”

She said the vast majority of patients were treated safely and effectively. However, as is the case all over the world, for a small number of people, events happen that have the potential to cause harm or cause actual harm.

Dr McPherson said that by including falls in the Serious and Sentinel Event reporting the DHB hoped to improve learning opportunities and already this has brought about changes to the Falls Prevention Programme that runs in Nelson Marlborough hospitals.

“We hope that we will see a reduction in falls over the next year with the new programme in place.”

“It is pleasing to note that no medication errors were reported as Serious and Sentinel Events for this year and part of this is due to the measures put in place around the Safe Medication Management (SMM) programme,” said Dr McPherson.

This programme worked with clinicians to develop systems that help prevent medication errors and adverse drug events from happening. These initiatives ensure that the right person receives the right medication, at the right dose, by the right route, for example by injection or by mouth, at the right time. This has included an allocation of pharmacists to the wards and the introduction of the national medication chart.

Questions and Answers

How many people were treated in Nelson Marlborough DHB hospitals during the year?

In 2010/11 there were 26,733 admissions (including day-cases), 45,592 Emergency Department visits, and 144,848 outpatient appointments in NMDHB hospitals.

How many of these people died as a result of the Serious and Sentinel Events?

In the year 2010/11 there were eight Serious and Sentinel Events, three patients died although not necessarily as a direct result of the event.

Do you feel the DHB has done everything possible to protect patients from systems errors?

The DHB has a Quality and Safety Team who work with staff to implement safety and quality initiatives, in many cases they also facilitate the implementation of recommendations from Serious and Sentinel Event reviews.

Are there things that the DHB investigate as Sentinel and Serious Events but the Health Quality and Safety Commission reject?

The Health Quality and Safety Commission work with clinicians and providers of health services to improve the quality and safety of health and disability services.  The Commission determines whether an event meets the criteria for classification as a sentinel event in the annual national data. In the past the HQSC have advised NMDHB that an event the DHB classified as sentinel or serious would not be included in the annual national data e.g. cases that involve the incidence of a known complication do not come within the definition of “sentinel event”.

Can you explain the high number of sentinel events for Nelson Marlborough DHB last year?

Six of eight Serious and Sentinel Events were related to falls that we have included for the first time this year.

By including falls in the Serious and Sentinel Event reporting we hope to improve learning opportunities from events we have previously considered less severe. This has resulted in an  increase in the number of sentinel events reported for 2011/12.

We hope that the measures put in place after a review of the DHB Falls Prevention Programme will see a reduction in the number of falls over the next year.

What Changes have been made to the DHB’s Falls Prevention Programme?

NMDHB Falls Prevention Project included:

• a modified risk assessment tool
• nursing assessment and care planning for falls prevention
• individual bed “falls alert” cards demonstrating rapid identification for staff to identify those individuals at high risk
• falls prevention resource folders for all clinical areas
• patient and family information regarding reduction of falls risks
• a self-directed learning package for falls prevention to consolidate learning

How many cases of potentially preventable injuries and deaths have occurred in DHB hospitals nationwide?

For the 2010/11 year, District Health Boards (DHBs) reported that 377 people had been involved in a serious or sentinel event that was actually or potentially preventable.  There were 86 deaths although not necessarily as a result of the event. Workload in public hospitals during 2010/11: Day patients 407,000; inpatients 634,000; outpatients 1,744,000 (Source Ministry of Health).

What is an acceptable level of risk?

Modern health care is complex, with powerful drugs and many highly trained professionals involved in treatment that can achieve astonishing results. With all of this comes the increased chance of systems problems and human error, which is why we include sophisticated systems for checking safety. Considering the large numbers of patients treated successfully every day, it is rare for an incident to happen – or nearly happen. 

Shouldn’t people be held accountable when things go wrong?

They are. There are separate processes that hold clinical professionals accountable for the quality of their work and maintaining professional standards. The reporting of incidents is about continually looking at our systems and the ways we can improve them to minimise the risk to patients in the future.

What do these figures say about New Zealand’s health system?

New Zealand has an excellent health system by international standards and the vast majority of patients are treated safely and effectively. However, as is the case all over the world, for a small number of people, events happen that have the potential to cause harm or cause actual harm.

Media Release

13 December 2011          

Laboratory in Nelson Marlborough

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board is satisfied with the laboratory service delivered by MedLab South to date and await further discussions regarding renewing the district’s laboratory contract.

NMDHB Chief Executive, John Peters said, “MedLab South is committed to providing laboratory services to Nelson Marlborough and the DHB awaits further talks with MedLab to complete contract negotiations.”

The current contract was rolled over from November 13, 2011 due to MedLab’s involvement in the Canterbury DHB process that was underway.

“We look forward to sitting down with MedLab to finalise the contract for the next five years.

“Over the past five years MedLab South have been the sole provider of laboratory services to Nelson Marlborough DHB and they have performed well,” said Mr Peters.

MedLab covers both hospital and community laboratory testing.

ENDS

Media Release

Whooping Cough Declining

The rates of whooping cough notifications have declined over the first two weeks of January in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough but still remain well above usual.

Medical Officer of Health Jill Sherwood said, “This is great news, however we still need to be aware that there are cases in the community and if we are not vigilant in getting people treated this could once again increase when children go back to school.

From January 1 to 16 there had been 54 cases notified to the Public Health Service. Whereas for the month of December there were 230 cases notified to Public Health, with notifications reaching up to 25 cases on some days.

She said symptoms usually include a cough lasting longer than two weeks with spasms of coughing that may end in vomiting or difficulty breathing, or a cough with a whooping sound.

“Complications can include pneumonia, and ear infections,” said Dr Sherwood.

“This disease is especially serious for babies who have not yet been immunised, however babies are not protected until they have received their three initial vaccinations, due at six weeks, three months and five months,” said Dr Sherwood

Adults should be aware that immunity from having the illness or vaccination only lasts for around 10 years, so they may not be immune and could pass this on to their children. It is important that adults don’t cough around babies and children.

“Vaccination for parents can also be arranged through your GP or practice nurse but is not funded.

She said women in the later stages of pregnancy should avoid close contact with people who are coughing to avoid becoming infected and passing whooping cough onto their newborn baby.

“Whooping cough is a preventable disease. If babies and young children are vaccinated, they can reduce their chance of this serious and sometimes life threatening illness,” Dr Sherwood said.

The vaccination is free for children and available from your GP or Practice Nurse. Babies should receive their immunisation at six weeks, three months and five months.

Children should have booster doses at four and eleven years. These vaccinations give babies and children the best protection from whooping cough.

Public Health resources had been diverted to work on the whooping cough outbreak. Extra Public Health nurses, administration staff, and health protection officers were required to work with the Medical Officer of Health to combat the disease spread by following up cases and their contacts.

ENDS

The provisional number of cases for 2011 is 449 compared to 27 cases for all of 2010.

This is made up of 428 from Aug 1 to Dec 31 (see below) plus 21 from earlier in the year. 

Cases in Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service 1 August 2011 to 16 January 2012

August                 14

September          37

October               49

November           98

December           230 (including 9 under investigation)

January                54  (to 16/01/12)

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board will not tolerate or condone bullying or harassment in the workplace and has set up systems to help affected staff find information and solutions.

A strategy has been put together by union delegates and officials, human resources and organisational development to help staff find a solution or an appropriate channel to seek a resolution to any workplace bullying or harassment.

The group encouraged a greater level of reporting and has set up intranet communication to handle inquiries as well as having suitably trained contacts such as union delegates and HR staff trained in bullying prevention and handling of complaints.

Bullying at work means; harassing, offending, socially excluding someone or negatively affecting someone's work tasks.

NMDHB, Organisational Development General Manager Denise Hutchins said, “The DHB takes its responsibility as an employer seriously and will do all it can to address and reduce bullying or harassment in our workplace.

She said NMDHB’s goal through the strategy is to maintain a work environment that is free of bullying and harassment, and to provide a mechanism for reporting bullying and harassment and ensure a fair investigation for all staff concerned.

“The DHB will not tolerate or condone bullying behaviour,” she said.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Organiser, Jackie McGrath said, “The purpose of the Prevention Strategy is to align the unions and DHB to work productively together to eradicate, prevent or minimise workplace bullying and harassment.

“The partnership group aims to encourage a greater level of reporting to be handled with due confidentiality and sensitivity.

“We want to assure staff that all complaints of bullying and harassment will be dealt with promptly and seriously.”

Public Service Association, Organiser, Mike Cunliffe said, “The actions undertaken should remove barriers to staff reporting bullying and harassment and encourage greater reporting of this behaviour.

“There is now a team in place that will be available to monitor, investigate, and implement the strategy to manage alleged bullying and harassment cases and to prevent their occurrence in future.”

Ms Hutchins said the reporting of bullying will be confidential but can obviously not remain anonymous for preventative action to take place.

She said the rules of natural justice must allow a person accused of bullying to be able to hear the complaint and offer defence of the allegations.

ENDS

Katherine Rock | Communications Advisor | Nelson Marlborough DHB

p: 03 5461824 |m: 0274 466 799 |f: 03 546 1747 | katherine.rock@nmdhb.govt.nz

From Monday, December 5 all returns of Nelson Hospital therapy equipment, loaned to patients rehabilitating in the community, will be dropped off at the new Equipment Store on Braemar Campus off Motueka St.

Nelson Hospital Therapy Equipment Store is moving to Braemar Campus off Motueka St.

From Monday, December 5 all returns of Nelson Hospital therapy equipment, loaned to patients rehabilitating in the community, will be dropped off at the new Equipment Store on Braemar Campus off Motueka St.

The store is moving as its current site, Dalton House has been identified as an earthquake risk.

The Allied Health Store is responsible for maintaining, cleaning and receiving Occupational Therapy equipment and Physiotherapy equipment e.g. shower stools, toilet frames, wheelchairs.

The hours for the store are 8am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

The site for the store is next to Taylors Laundry and consists of six, 20ft containers and an Office Cabin.

The office and containers were delivered during this week (28/11). There is a covered area for dropping equipment off, and parking provided. During the week of December 5 all equipment is being moved to the new facility.

Clinical Services Support Directorate, Director Allied Health, Hilary Exton said, “All existing clients with equipment on loan will be contacted with a detailed map of how to get to the new Allied Health Store.

“We hope that people coming from Richmond will turn right at Tukuku St and left onto Campbell St to the entrance of Braemar Campus. This will make it a safe turn for people coming into the store.

The Medical Officer of Health has warned that if someone in a Nelson Tasman household has a persistent cough, and there is a baby in the house under one year old, it is important to contact a doctor immediately.

Media Release

1 December 2011

Whooping Cough Warning

The Medical Officer of Health has warned that if someone in a Nelson Tasman household has a persistent cough, and there is a baby in the house under one year old, it is important to contact a doctor immediately.

Whooping Cough is now widespread in the Nelson Tasman community. This disease is particularly dangerous for babies under one year old, as well as for people who are immune suppressed, or elderly.

During November Nelson Tasman had 67 cases with a further 33 under investigation. In Marlborough there were 8 cases with 2 under investigation. 

Medical Officer of Health Dr Jill Sherwood said, “If someone in your household has a persistent cough, and you have a baby in the house under one year old, contact your GP as it may be important for all of the household to have antibiotics to protect that child from whooping cough.”

She said symptoms usually include a cough lasting longer than two weeks with spasms of coughing that may end in vomiting or difficulty breathing, or a cough with a whooping sound.

“Adults are often the source of infection that spreads to children. It is important that adults don’t cough around babies and children.

“Complications can include pneumonia, and ear infections,” said Dr Sherwood.

She said women in the later stages of pregnancy should avoid close contact with people who are coughing to avoid becoming infected and passing whooping cough onto their newborn baby.

“This disease is especially serious for babies who have not yet been immunised, however babies are not protected until they have received their three initial vaccinations, due at six weeks, three months and five months.

“The vaccination is free and available from a GP or Practice Nurse,” said Dr Sherwood.

“Whooping cough is a preventable disease. If babies and young children are immunised, they can reduce their chance of this serious and sometimes life threatening illness.

“Children should have booster doses at four and eleven years. Having these vaccinations on time gives babies and children the best protection from whooping cough.”

Whooping cough symptoms start with a runny nose and dry cough. Coughing gets worse over the next few weeks developing into attacks of coughing. The ‘whoop’ sound may occur as babies draw a breath after a long coughing attack. Babies might go blue or stop breathing during coughing attacks. Older children and adults may not ‘whoop’; they may just have a cough. Babies, children and some adults may vomit after coughing attacks.

Babies who do not receive their immunisations on time have a five times greater risk of being hospitalised with whooping cough. International data shows that seven out of ten babies under 6 months of age who contract the disease are hospitalised and one in 200 of those who are hospitalised will die from the disease.

For further information on whooping cough call Healthline on freephone 0800 611 116. For all further inquiries about having your baby or child immunised, talk to your GP.

ENDS

August                        14       

September                  37

October                      45 cases

November                   67 cases with another 33 currently under investigation

Marlborough

August                         0

September                   0

October                       3

November                   8 cases with another 2 under investigation

The DHB has again exceeded the Health Target “Shorter Stays in Emergency Department” and comes in second in the country for this target. This is a measure of the efficiency of flow of acute patients through public hospitals.

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board has held its position in most health targets over the July to October quarter.

The DHB has again exceeded the Health Target “Shorter Stays in Emergency Department” and comes in second in the country for this target.

Health Target: Shorter stays in Emergency Departments - Target: 95% of patients admitted, discharged or transferred from ED within 6 hours. Ranking: 2nd in country.

In Nelson Marlborough hospitals, 97% of Emergency Department patients are admitted, discharged or transferred from the department within six hours this is equal to the last quarter results.

NMDHB Emergency Department Clinical Director Dr Tom Morton said, “Results reflected the excellent teams in both Nelson and Marlborough,

The results also showed hospitals were functioning well as this is a measure of the flow of acute patients through public hospitals.

He said performance was also helped by people using GPs and after-hours clinics appropriately where that was the best treatment option, so the Emergency Departments could focus on those who needed the most urgent attention.

He encouraged people to use GP and duty doctor services where suitable, as the departments were coming up to the holiday season with increased visitors from out of town.

In the Increased Immunisation target, which aims to have full immunisation for 95% of two year olds by July 2012, the DHB has slipped from 87% at the end of the 2010/11 year to 86% for the quarter ended 30 September 2011.

Medical Officer of Health Jill Sherwood said, “Given the outbreaks of whooping cough in the district and measles in other parts of the country the Increased Immunisation target is disappointing.”

She said both of these are vaccine preventable diseases and while most families get their children vaccinated on time this result shows the district could do a lot better to protect our children.

Dr Sherwood said the DHB had been doing significant work with primary care in recent months and immunisation rates are increasing which will be shown in the next quarter.
In Improved Access to Elective Surgery the DHB is on 101% after finishing the last quarter on 100%.

In the target Better Help for Smokers to Quit the DHB achieved the yearly target of 90% at the end of June 2011. This year’s target is 95 % of hospitalised smokers will be provided with advice and help to quit by July 2012. The DHB is currently on 91% which is encouraging progress toward this end of year target.


ENDS

Katherine Rock | Communications Advisor | Nelson Marlborough DHB

p: 03 5461824 |m: 0274 466 799 |f: 03 546 1747 | katherine.rock@nmdhb.govt.nz

So far this month 49 cases of whooping cough have been notified to the Public Health Service from Nelson and Tasman.

23 November 2011

Media Release

Whooping Cough Outbreak More Widespread

So far this month 49 cases of whooping cough have been notified to the Public Health Service from Nelson and Tasman.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Jill Sherwood said, “The outbreak has become more widespread in Nelson/Tasman with many cases in local schools and preschools as well as among adults.”

In October there were 47 cases with another 3 still under investigation.

“This week we are sending a letter home to parents and caregivers via pre-schools and schools to warn of the likely spread of the outbreak and to remind parents of the importance of having their child immunised against the disease,” said Dr Sherwood.

She said if a person has had whooping cough or has been vaccinated they will probably be protected for many years however neither gives 100% or life-long protection.

“Unimmunised children who have not previously had whooping cough are highly likely to become infected,” she said.

She advised anyone with a persistent or severe cough to see their doctor, and remain away from the Early Childhood Centre, Kohanga Reo or School until the doctor is sure that it is not whooping cough.

The symptoms usually include acough lasting longer than two weeks with spasms of coughing or spasms of coughing ending in vomiting or difficulty breathing. The cough may be accompanied by a whooping sound.

Dr Sherwood said, “Don’t wait until someone has had the cough for more than two weeks before checking it out.

“People need to be aware that adults are often the source of infection that then spreads to children.”

She said it is very important that adults don’t cough around babies and children as the most serious complications including pneumonia, and ear infections are most common in infants and babies.

She reminded people to cover all coughs and sneezes using a clean tissue or their elbow.

Women in the later stages of pregnancy should avoid close contact with people who are coughing to minimise risk they become infected and pass whooping cough on to their newborn baby.

If you have any queries please contact your family doctor or practice nurse, or 0800 HEALTHLINE (0800 611 116) or 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863).

ENDs

Nelson Tasman Whooping Cough Cases

August                         14       

September                  37

October                       47 with 3 still under investigation

November to 21/11     33 with 16 currently under investigation

Katherine Rock | Communications Advisor | Nelson Marlborough DHB

p: 03 5461824 |m: 0274 466 799 |f: 03 546 1747 | katherine.rock@nmdhb.govt.nz