Home - Nelson Marlborough District Health Board

Top of the South Review

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board (NMDHB) is in discussion with several potential leaders for the Top of the South health services review.

NMDHB Chair Jenny Black, “We are speaking to a variety of independent health professionals who would bring clinical and management experience to the position of Chair of the Top of the South Services Review Group.

“We will also announce the makeup of the group leading these reviews as soon as they are confirmed with the new chair.”

Chief Executive Chris Fleming said “In order to ensure progress I will be asking the review group to initially focus on three core services that underpin acute secondary services: these are General Surgery, Orthopaedics and General Medicine. Lessons from the work that is undertaken in these three areas will inform planning for the other services within Wairau and Nelson Hospitals. More...

Shellfish Ban Lifted in Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel

The public has been given the all clear to collect shellfish in the Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel.

Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health, Dr Ed Kiddle, said that two consecutive shellfish tests taken in Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel had shown the levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxin in shellfish had returned to a safe level.

Dr Kiddle said, “Although the algae bloom responsible for the toxin had been declining during April it has taken several weeks for the toxin to be flushed from the shellfish.

“This particular bloom was sufficient to contaminate shellfish in the Queen Charlotte Sound and Tory Channel area, giving rise to a closure on March 25, 2013.” More...

International Nurses Day 2013

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s Nursing Scholarship Award ceremonies will be held in Wairau Hospital at 2pm Friday May 10, and at Nelson Hospital at 3.30pm Monday May 13, Braemar Campus, Nelson. Along with celebrating the success of nurses and nursing in the Top of the South these events will support Cook Island nursing. “Fundraising and donations received will be used to support the purchase of much needed basic equipment allowing Cook Island Nurses to conduct free screening to the community as part of their yearly health promotion programme,” said Director of Nursing and Midwifery Robyn Henderson.

The Productive Operating Theatre Achievements

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s list of achievements for The Productive Operating Theatre (TPOT) programme is impressive and all due to theatre and associated staff taking the reins and getting involved.

Martin Anderson Programme Facilitator for TPOT said, “The success of the programme is really down to key staff taking a lead role and encouraging their colleagues to identify areas they would like to see improvements.

“It hasn’t all been plain sailing but early gains were made with the Well Organised Theatre module that cut down the amount of time spent looking for necessary theatre equipment. More...

Three Sales from Tobacco and Herbal Products Sting

Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service (NMPHS) put 17 retailers to the test in operations carried out in Marlborough and Tasman earlier this week.

Controlled purchase operations are conducted by Smoke-Free Enforcement Officers using an underage volunteer to ensure tobacco retailers comply with the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to persons under 18 years of age. More...

National Immunisation Week

During National Immunisation Week Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health Dr Jill Sherwood is encouraging pregnant women to be immunised against whooping cough to protect themselves and their baby.

Immunisation helps protect both mother and baby against a serious disease that can make them extremely sick, said Dr Sherwood.

For children and pregnant women immunisation against whooping cough is free and is the best way to prevent the disease.

Children are immunised at six weeks, three months and five months old however they are not protected until they have completed all three vaccinations. All children also receive free boosters at four and 11 years of age.

Pregnant women can be immunised for free between 28 and 38 weeks of pregnancy to protect their baby. Partners and other close family members may also consider being immunised as further protection. More...

Whooping Cough Vaccine for Pregnant Women

A free whooping cough vaccine available to all pregnant women from 1 January 2013 will help to protect new-born babies from this serious disease.

In Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough there have been 1084 notified cases of whooping cough since August last year with nine babies under one year-of-age requiring hospital treatment.

Nelson Marlborough Medical Officer of Health, Dr Jill Sherwood said, “The outbreak has continued at a significant level during spring and early summer with 11 cases in Nelson, 14 cases in Tasman and 15 in Marlborough in the last 4 weeks.

“Babies are most vulnerable to whooping cough. The severe coughing can cause babies to stop breathing and can lead to blindness, brain damage, and in severe cases, death. More...

Careers