CONNECT I PAGE 1

Last month we launched the Saving 20,000 Bed Days cam-paign through two engagement events held in the com-munity for clinicians from across the health sector who work in Counties

Manukau. These events were a great opportunity for us, alongside primary and secondary care, to start thinking about a whole of systems approach. It really kickstarted the process of working collab-oratively with people from across the health sector to identify the problems we face.

Specifically, we’ve been looking at ways to begin to shift demand away from the hospital to primary care. The challenges ahead are twofold:•Wehavetodevelopahealthsystemwhich

sends the fewest number of patients to hospital while ensuring that those who are treated in hospital receive timely and high quality care.

•Atthesametime,wehavetobuildupprimaryand secondary care to deliver the right care at the right time, in the right place and in the right way, including keeping people at home where possible.In order to work towards these objectives, four

workstreams have been developed, all of which are clinically led. They are:•KeepingWellintheCommunity•RapidResponseintheCommunitytoAcute

Events•TheRightResponseattheFrontDoorofthe

Hospital•SafeandQuickIn-HospitalCare

The clinical leader for the Saving 20,000 Bed Days campaign is David Grayson while Diana Dowdle has been appointed as campaign manager.AlisonHendry,ourManagerofServiceImprovement, has further information for those who are interested.

The campaign will be based on the methodology used in the very successful Saving 100,000 Lives

From the CEO

December 2011

campaign which was run by our partners at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in Boston to systematically improve standards of healthcare in America.Throughthismethodology,anadditional100,000 people were alive who otherwise may havebeenharmedbyAmerica’shealthcaresystem. The methodology developed for this campaign is an effective way of helping organiza-tions deliver seemingly impossible and complex changeonalargescale.We’reveryfortunatetobeinapositiontodrawonthatthankstoourKoAwateapartners,IHI.Inturn,ourhopeisthatbyshifting 20,000 bed days away from the hospital, we can develop a body of practice which can be shared with others to help redevelop the health systemmorewidely.Wehavetodothisbecauseat present the people from our community spend more than 200,000 days each year in hospital for acuteevents.Wecurrentlyspend$240milliononacute hospital care. Our population is grow-ing in Counties Manukau; a 20year forecasted increaseof41%by2026andgrowthinhealthservice-relateddemandofover5%.Atthisrate,we predict we will run out of hospital-based beds for our community by 2013. Many of these acute events could be prevented or managed better out of hospital.

The 20,000 bed day Campaign is to ensure that over the next two years our people will spend the equivalent of 20,000 of these acute event hospital days–about5%ofourtotal–athomeorinthecommunity. Converting 20,000 hospital bed days into 20,000 days of wellness at home, requires substantial effort and engagement from all of us who are committed to improving the health outcomes and health status for our people. Could wemakebetteruseofthis20,000daysand$24million in 2 years?

“This is going to be really good for our patients ... it’s about sustainability for the next decade or so, not only the hospital but for the whole health sector. If we need to keep funding the hospital at the rate it’s predicted to consume there’ll be no money left for anything else”.

Peter Didsbury, GP and Chairman of ProCare PHO.

Opening with a collaborative engagement event

seriesatKoAwateaandtheTelstraClearPacificEvents centre last month, the campaign brought together many willing members of the community and the hospital to create energy and develop ideas on how such a goal might be achieved.

“I think this challenge is positive ... if we get the relationship right with the patients and the clini-cians, & the clinicians with the organisation with the clinicians out in community care, we’ll really make a difference. I think it’s about relation-ships, relationships and relationships, and I spell relationships T R U S T.”

Paul Cressey – CMDHB Board member.

“We’re thinking this is much more like ‘Team Counties’ and recognise this is a whole system and we’ve got to work together, that changes in some part of the system will affect other parts of the system.”

David Grayson, ENT Surgeon and ClinicalLeader20KBedDayCampaignKoAwatea

“How can we, most meaningfully, add value to our healthcare system?”

JonathonGray–Director,KoAwatea

The campaign work-streams follow the journey for a person from wellness in the community, through the points of opportunity for change, to the acute event and hospital stay. In focusing on the points of opportunity for change that precede the acute event we can release our resources to provide better care, sooner, to more of our people closer to their home.

“This workshop has a bunch of people looking at how well we can keep people in the commu-nity ... we’re going to see if we can save some of these bed days”

David Jansen, Clinical Director National HauOra Coalition.

“Our primary healthcare organisations are sup-portive of this campaign ... our organisations are fully behind this”

Peter Didsbury, GP and Chairman of ProCare PHO.

“Once we’ve got the will and the ideas it’s about executing change ...”

JonathonGray–Director,KoAwatea

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who is working so hard to ensure the success of this essential initiative. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for your hard work over the year and to wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.

RegardsGeraint Martin, CEO, CMDHB

CONNECT I PAGE 2

Meet the board

In each issue of Connect we will profile two board members so that you can get to know them better.

colleen brownColleen Brown, a former Manukau City Councillor is a second term District Health Board member and the Chair of the District Health Board committee for disability andolderpeople-DiSAC.SherepresentstheManurewaWardofsome83,000peopleonthe Manurewa Local Board. Her background is in education with previous employment being as a Senior Lecturer at Manukau Institute of Technology and the Manager of the Communication Enterprise Section at the Institute.

Colleen is passionate about youth and having healthy active children in the community. She is also concerned and active in the elder sector part of the community having supported older family members in the health sector. She has worked with older groups in her community and is committed to delivering quality health services to all communities in Counties Manukau. Colleen set up a group of interested women to support Breast ScreenAotearoaaccesscommunitiessothatallwomen can be informed about breast screening andaccessthefreegovernmentservicefor45to69yearolds.

Donald barkerDonald was first elected to the Counties Manukau District Health Board in 2001. He has continued to stand because he is proud of our achievements and wishes to be part of the future health gains for our communities.

He has been a community pharmacist all his working life and together with his experience as a director of a number of pharmaceutical support companies, he offers experience in the fields of health, business and the communities needs.

In the community he is a Past President of WaiukuGolf&SquashClub,apastChairoftheWaiukuCollegeBoard,apastCommodoreofWaiukuYachtClubandapastBoardmemberofEnterpriseFranklin.

He is currently a member of the Institute of Directors and a Justice of the Peace.

Kidz First child developmentWho are we?KidzFirstChildDevelopmentisacommunity-based team working in partnership with children with special needs and their whaanau/family to enable them to participate to their full potential intheirdailylivesandcommunity.Weworkclosely with families, specialists, and agencies. Wevisitchildrenbetweenbirthand16years,with their families, at home, early learning centres, kindergarten, school, and in clinics. Clinics encourage a multidisciplinary approach and include neuromuscular, premmie, triage, multi-disciplinary paediatrician’s clinic, feeding and nutrition, cleft, orthotics, cerebral palsy, botox follow-up clinic and obstetric brachial plexus clinic.

Weareateamof25therapistsincludingOccupational Therapists (OT), Physiotherapists (PT),SocialWorkers,SpeechandLanguageTherapists (SLT), and Visiting Neuro-developmental Therapists (VNT).

What do we do?Visiting Neuro-developmental Therapists are physiotherapists and occupational therapists who assist babies to maximise their potential in all areas of their development through play and positioning.

Speech and Language Therapists work with children 0-3 years providing help with developing a child’s communication skills, and assessing and managing feeding and swallowing difficulties.

Physiotherapists develop physical function by promoting activity and participation in the community.

Occupational Therapists promote participation in activities of every day life by developing a child’s skills, or by modifying a child’s environment to better suit their needs.

Social workers provide counselling, advocacy, link with community services and resources, and support in meeting the needs of the whaanau/family.

Who do we see?The children that we see have diagnoses including but not limited to: cerebral palsy, chromosomal and genetic anomalies, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, spinal muscle atrophy, autism, developmental delay, Down syndrome, and developmental coordination disorder.Therearecurrently880childrenunderour service.

What’s been happening?Over the past year we have run several pilot occupational therapy/physiotherapy and feeding groups.

Weranatwoweekintensivedailytherapygroup for children between two and four years old with a hemiplegia. The children attended five days a week for an hour and a half with a parent at a local community centre. The focus was on improving the awareness and use of their affected side, as well as improving balance and core stability in a fun environment.

Currently the Speech Language Therapists, in conjunction with dieticians, Infant Mental Health and Consult Liaison Psychologist, are running a 10-week pilot feeding group at Manukau Superclinic. The group is based on the SOS FeedingProgramme,anditisforchildrenwhohave feeding difficulties related to sensory and oro-motor difficulties often as a result of previous or ongoing medical conditions, and/or developmental delay or autism.

Wehavealsocontinuedtorunaschool-readinessgross&finemotordevelopmentgroup.For2011thiswasrunforsevenweeksfor an hour a week at a local recreation centre.

Thisyear,collaborationbetweenCMDHB&ManukauLeisure,partofAucklandCouncil,has resulted in the purchase of three gym memberships available for use by our older children and young persons referred by our Orthopaedic Surgeons pre or post surgery. This enables regular inclusive access to progressive strengthening programmes in a community setting. Negotiations are also underway for the installation of pool and changing room hoists appropriate for our clients with muscular dystrophy, enabling access to local swimming pools. This will be a valuable resource for ongoing therapy input as well as inclusion within the community.

Asateamwearecommittedtoongoingprofessional development for the benefit of our children and young people. In 2011 this commitment has seen therapists travel to Australiaforcoursesinfeeding,upperlimbmanagement, and visual perception. Courses attendedinNewZealandhaveincludedPPP&RParenting, Neuro-sensory-motor developmental assessment&treatment,PaediatricBobathCourse; and post graduate university courses. Wealsocontinuetosupportthedevelopmentof our professions and future therapists through student placements. ■

CONNECT I PAGE 3

LotuMoui youth leaders’ campOnehundredPacificYouthLeadersfrom20different LotuMoui churches attended the annual LotuMouiYouthLeadershipcampheldatPeterSnellYouthVillage(Christian)inWhangaparaoa11th to 13th November 2011.

TheaimoftheLotuMouiYouthprogramistoempowerYouthLeaderstolead,driveandsuccessfullyimplementhealthfocussedYouthinitiatives with the support of Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB).

ThesuccessoftheYouthLeadershipcampisattributed to the fourteen members of the LotuMoui YouthAdvisoryCommitteeandthediverserangeofethnicities, cultures and dominations each member represents.TheaimoftheAdvisoryCommitteeistodevelopandplanYouthfocussedeventstobestdeliver positive health promotion and awareness totheirpeersandwiderYouthcommunityinSouthAuckland.TheYouthcampfollowsonfromaYouthSummitdeliveredbytheYouthAdvisoryCommitteeheldearlierintheyearwithover350Youth,theirfriends, churches and families in attendance.

The need to connect the importance of church and healthy lifestyles through leadership provided thenecessarycontextfortheYouthAdvisoryCommittee to bring ideas from the boardroom table to fruition.

TheYouthLeadershipcampincludedaseriesof three workshops delivered across three days. The sessions highlighted the need for awareness relating to physical activity, nutrition and values.

ThePhysicalActivityWorkshopwasbrilliantlyledbyYouthLeadersAileenWuataiandGloriaTapaleao.FollowedbytheNutritionWorkshop,where the teams learnt about, and how to cook, healthy kai coordinated by LotuMoui’s Community DevelopmentOfficerSuzanneNioandYouthLeader Sina Ene.

ThethirdWorkshopco-facilitatedbyPastorSamTuaoiandJoeGlassie(YouthLeader)focusedonsupportingtheYouthLeadersinattendance

to identify their own value by understanding their worth as individuals. This

Workshophighlightedtheimportanceofthe participant’s genealogy and their sense of belonging within religious, social and cultural contexts.

BuildinguponthesuccessoftheWorkshops,theYouthLeader’smotivationculminatedinaplanningsession at the camp in preparation for the events for 2011/12 which will include activities such as anAmazingRace,TalentQuestandaCookingCompetition.

ThePeterSnellYouthVillage’sCampDirectorshared that he “could not believe you were from different churches and different ethnic groups and thatyoualljustmeteachotheronFriday,Icouldn’tbelieve it because everyone worked together – the unity was unbelievable”. The LotuMoui team (SuzanneNio,SaumaluKaliandTupouTu’akoi)andProgram Manager Silao Vaisola-Sefo witnessed another successful milestone achieved for the YouthAdvisoryCommittee.Thesharedlearning’s,activities and testimonies and spirit of leadership in unity made for a remarkable camp.

The Pacific Health Team of Counties Manukau DistrictHealthBoardcongratulatetheYouthLeaders,theYouthAdvisoryCommittee,theirfamilies and churches for a well-developed and deliveredYouthCampandeagerlyawaitstheevents for 2012. ■

Above:TheMeanGreenteam.Left: One Love team members in the kitchen.

CONNECT I PAGE 4

TheAfter-HoursHealthCareNetwork,comprisingofrepresentativesfromthethreeAucklandDHBs,thePHOsand11A&Mclinics,isnowinitsfirstwaveofcommunication.WithadvertisingfrommidNov–mid December on TV1 and some radio advertising, we are getting the message out that for those who need it most after-hours health care now costs less.

Supporting the advertising are flyers and posters, which are being distributed through several channels, including the DHBs where they will be available in the EDs, outpatients clinics and Maori andPacifichealthunits.Weareaskingforyourhelp in putting up the posters and handing out the flyers to patients.

The flyers and posters encourage patients to call their doctor first. In most cases they can now talk to a registered nurse after-hours through their doctor’s surgery. The nurse will be able to provide the best options ranging from self-care, the closest networkA&MortheirED.

If you need more information about any of theA&Mclinics,pleasevisitthewebsitewww.afterhoursnetwork.co.nz. On page two of the website is a list of locations with map details. Coming shortly on his page is a list of costs both after-hours and normal working hours.

ThechangesdevelopedbytheAucklandRegionalAfter-hoursTaskforcemean:•11A&Mclinicswillbeopenuntilatleast10pm.

Fourofthesewillbeopen24hours,withoneinEast,South,NorthandWestAuckland.

•Subsidiesbywayofco-paymentswillbeavailable to those who need it most (which includesapproximately45%ofAuckland’spopulation):- Under6s

- 65andovers- Community service

card holders- High user health

card holders- Those who live in

low income areas•Acopyofpatientnotes

will go back to their GP •AnoptionforGPsto

be included in an after-hours telephone triage serviceWhilecontinuingto

make the GP the first port-of-call for patients, the changes are designed to steer patients toward after-hours clinics in evenings, weekends and public holidays for their urgent primary care, where patients will be able to be equally well treated in the community. In this way, it will help to alleviate the growth pressures of patients presenting to EDs aroundAuckland,butitwon’t decrease total ED volumes.

The consequences ofunderuseofA&Mshavebeenunnecessarilyhigh demand in some hospital services for people who could have been equally or better managed in primary care, generally unsustainable operating

costs to funders and providers and unaffordable co-payment levels for much of the population, who also struggle to understand after-hours as a concept of care. ■

After hours health care

There are 11 after-hours clinics around Auckland

which offer more affordable services to children under six,

adults 65 plus, and low-income individuals and families.

Ask at the reception or contact your family doctor for more information.

After-hours care now costs less

for those most at risk

www.afterhoursnetwork.co.nz

The CMDHB chronic pain service has now been running for just over 12 months, within that time wehavehadover1500patientcontacts.Wehavebeen recruiting steadily and the team has grown to 10 part time staff to include, psychologists (Health and Clinical), psychiatrist, rehabilitation consultant, anaesthetist and musculoskeletal consultant, physiotherapists, nursing and administrative staff. Wearedelightedtohavenewmedicalstaffbutare still limited in our capacity to provide medical assessments.Whilewestillgrowasaservicethechronic pain service remains out patient only and currentlywedonotseeACCpatients.

The team continues to provide a multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain, with a strong focus on self management.

One of our goals as a new service was to provide a timely and efficient service that focused on accessibilityandfamilyandWhanauinvolvement.

Over the last 12 months we have started waitlist education sessions for patients and their families, started satellite clinics in Pukekohe, run GP education sessions and introduced community-based exercise programmes. In 2012 we are adding in group-based sessions focusing on self management of chronic pain and community-based hydrotherapy to get our patientsactive.Asthepainservice grows we hope to continue to link into community services and continue to support those living with chronic pain to remain active and engaged in meaningful activity. ■

Pain service thriving

Backrow(lefttoright)AislinnCarr,MartynSeay,JonathanKuttner,PaulVroegop,FrancesJames,LisaFord.FrontRow:AnitaPiiti,LynnetteDalglish,ClaireMori-arty,AngelaSpurdle.AbsentBorisMak

CONNECT I PAGE 5

Supporting Asian healthOn one October Saturday, Counties Manukau District Health Board (DHB) Mental Health Ser-vices,MentalHealthFoundationofNewZealand,YanOiSeiandtheNZChinaInternationalSportExchangeAssociationorganisedtheBrightFutureStartsFromHereeventattetuhi–CentrefortheArtinPakuranga.Thiseventconsistedofahealth/socialagenciesexpoforAsianandanAsianyouthcareerworkshop.Over190peopleattendedtheevent and there were over 30 organisations par-ticipatedattheexpo.Althoughtheeventwasledby the CMDHB Mental Health Services and the MentalHealthFoundation,theeventfeaturednotjust mental health information but also informa-

tion on free breast screen, free dental services for adolescents and free interpreting and translation services. The organisers are keen to make this event as a yearly one, and if you are interested to work collaboratively with us in order to make a differencetotheAsiancommunitiesoryouarein-terestedtoknowmoreaboutAsianmentalhealthservice development in Counties Manukau DHB, please feel free to contact me: kos@middlemore.co.nzorcontactmebyphoneon095380700.IambasedatTeRawhitiCommunityMentalhealthCentre in Highland Park.

Kitty Ko (Asian Service Development Coordinator)

This is the first in a series of updates about work that is underway to build sustainable national health services by reducing costs and achieving operational efficiencies and shared good practice in areas of administration, procurement and support services. Nationally the work is being co-ordinated by Health Benefits Limited (HBL).

IntheNorthernRegion,(CMDHB,WDHB,ADHBandNorthlandDHB)healthAlliancehaslongbeenworking to achieve cost savings in areas such as procurement, supply chain and financial support. IT has also been standardised and aligned across the region as much as possible and the region is reap-ingthebenefitsofthis.ThehealthAlliancemodelhas proven very effective in terms of transparency, open process and engagement and consultation with staff.

The work that is now underway is being co-ordinated by HBL who are collaborating with DHB’s to develop ideas to find efficiencies.

It is anticipated initiatives identified by HBL will result in changes to processes, systems and functions and save considerable money that can be re-invwested to improve front line patient care. Over the next months detailed programmes will be developedWewill,ofcourse,keepyouupdatedabout progress and timeframes as they emerge.

Who is HBL? Health Benefits Limited (HBL) is a crown owned company that has been set up to help the health sector save money by reducing administrative, support and procurement costs for District Health Boards (DHBs). HBL is owned by the New Zealand Government and works with DHBs to achieve these aims.

What is HBL's role?HBL's role is to facilitate and lead initiatives that

save money by reducing administrative, support andprocurementcostsforDHBs.WorkingwithDHBS, it expects to deliver savings in these areas which will free up money to reinvest into clinical areas of DHBs.

What specifically will HBL propose to reduce costs?Until the scoping, feasibility and design work is complete and the final approach agreed it is not possible to say what the specific changes will be. Much of HBLs early work involves developing cases for change that will require further work with DHBs, like feasibility studies and risk assessments, to investigate proposed changes.

I’ve seen some requests for information from HBL, and some people have attended workshops they have held – what’s that about?

DHBs have been asked for information to sup-port options analysis and feasibility studies – you might be asked to participate in the studies and be involved in workshops to validate assumptions and ideas for change. The aim is to make sure any change is relevant, that it will make a difference and that potential risks are identified and managed.

Will this work affect staff in DHBs? There are a number of people employed in providing administrative, procurement and support services to DHBs. Proposals might lead to change in processes, systems, functions and positions. HBL is committed to working with DHBs to ensure people have an opportunity for feedback before decisions are made.

Many of the possible changes are likely to offer/provide opportunities to work on change projects and contribute to the delivery of more effective support services. In some areas there may be new technology and processes implemented in areas

Building sustainable health services that have not seen change for some time which will

allow individuals to learn new roles or skills.

How will these changes affect patients? Smarter co-ordination of resources means the cost of buying goods, services and supplies will fall, freeing up resources for frontline health services. Forexample,thismightmeanthatserviceswillbemaintained in the face of increasing demand and costs.

How does this build on the shared services work DHBs and other areas of government already have underway? This is part of a process of reform in the health sector and wider government procurement. It means evaluating and where appropriate using existing best practice and, in many cases, doing things differently. The expertise of the DHBs continues to be important and the groundwork they havedoneisinvaluable.Whiletherearesomegoodinitiatives in place or under way, a push is needed to accelerate progress and make sure best practice is put in place and / or replicated.

Will health professionals/clinicians be involved? Yes.HBLisworkingwithDHBstobuildprocessesfor programmes to include clinical engagement. Whilerecognisingthatanychangeisunsettling,there are benefits of reducing variation and waste, particularly when it frees up resources for clinical services.

What feedback has been received from the sec-tor on potential shared services arrangements? Engagement with the health sector is a priority. Feedbackfromworkshopssofarsupportstheobjectives we are seeking to achieve. Ongoing engagement with the sector in assessing and implementing programmes of work will be a critical element to their ultimate success.

What happens next? HBL will be working with DHBs to continue to collect information and collaborate with our staff in proposals and changes.

HBL is working with DHBs to establish commu-nication channels with staff to ensure information is made available when the scoping, feasibility and design work has been completed and any changes are being proposed.

In collaboration with DHBs and the National BipartiteActionGroupwhichcomprisesPSA,NZNOandSFWU,HBLhasdevelopedaprocessforwork-ing with staff and unions.

Wearecurrentlyreviewingthestructuresandprocesses developed to support the work being carried out by HBL with the DHBs and will be identifying local requirements to ensure effective collaboration with HBL, communication and consul-tation and support to staff.

Wewillprovideaprogressupdateoncefurtherinformation is available.

CONNECT I PAGE 6

Christmas fare from the heart

Cool comfort from Wormald

GIVING to others is part of Christmas planning for many people but when those who spend the holiday in prison want to contribute to charity – it has a special festive feel.

SinceAugustagroupofprisonersatAucklandRegionalWomen’sCorrectionsFacility(AWRCF)industriously crafted, painted and grew seedlings in preparationfortheirfirstChristmasFair.

OnSaturdayNovember19thevisitors’carparkwas chocka-block with plants, baking, jams, and stunning handmade Christmas decorations – all madebythewomenheldintheWiriprison.

The fair is the first event of its type to be held by a corrections facility in New Zealand.

Raewyn,CarolandTakiworkedinthestitch

group under the supervision of corrections officer, Michelle Jennings.

The women choose to join the group which kept them busy from Monday to Thursday every week and some also worked late into the night finishing work for the fair.

The women had some experience of knitting and sewing, and making items to sell at the fair gave them an opportunity to help raise funds for charity, while also building on habits which play an integral part in their own rehabilitation.

TheARWCFchosencharitiesareSnugHomesAuckland,whichprovidesfreeinsulationforhousesof families living in cold, damp and unhealthy conditions, and Mobility Dogs.

“Knittingkeepsmeoccupied,”saysRaewyn.“Iloved doing it when I was on the outside and I gave a lot of it away then. Some people can afford it and some can’t so I gave it to them.”

Raewynsaysshewasgivenalotofhelpwhenshe was on the outside so she enjoys giving something back.

“Wedoitforthelovebutweknowitisaprivilege and we need to respect it.”

Debbie enjoyed baking, cooking and making preserves when her children were little so she enthusiastically baked loaves and cakes for the fair.

“Cooking teaches some of the younger girls who have never cooked before. It teaches them how to take whatever they have in the pantry and turn it into a meal.”

Some of her recipes come from her grandmother and her involvement in the country women’s institute.

Carol loved the creative outlet the project gave her. “My forte is knitting novelties and I like the challenge of making up patterns myself,” says Carol.

“Miss Michelle brings out the extra bits in us that we have hidden away.”

Michelle Jennings loves her role as a sewing officer within the regimes and activities programme.

She has taught some women the basics of hand sewing and aims to teach them how to use sewing machines.

The work skills can equip prisoners for self-sufficiency and reduce the barriers to living an offence-free life.

TheChristmasfairraisedabout$4000,whichwillbedividedbetweenSnugHomesAucklandandMobility Dogs. ■

DONATINGfundstopurchasetwohigh-techairmattresseswillbringmuch relief to young burn patients.

WormaldgenerouslysupportsNationalBurnCentreandtheirlatestdonation will fund two air mattresses specifically designed for children.

The specialised nursing equipment is designed to equally distribute the weight of patients who have compromised skin integrity caused by burns.

Airmattressesreducethepressureonthebodyandenhancebloodcirculation, which helps prevent pressure injuries.

Patients don’t need to be moved or turned as frequently – reducing pain and improving their health outcomes.

ThanksWormaldformakingchallengingordealsmoretolerableforyoungsters injured by burns. ■

TheWormaldteamchecksoutanairmattressforchildrenwhohavebeenburned.

A nativity scene was hand-stitched.

CONNECT I PAGE 7

Fabulous Funfest launches New Year

FOURdaysofrides,gamesandpump-ingmusicaresettotransformAlexandraParkintoanexcitingFunfestforthewholewhanau to enjoy.

Greenlane’s trotting park will be the place tobeforAucklanderstosoakupthesum-mer festivities with free rides, face-painting, loads of entertainment and competitions.

SouthAucklandHealthFoundationhasanawesome team of volunteers who will paint faces as well as take care of the fundraising games-MasteroftheRingsandLaughingClownsfromJanuary5-8,2012.

Colgate’sDrRabbitwillaccompanyClif-fordtheBigRedDogandGeronimoStiltonfrom Scholastic NZ books will also keep the crowds entertained.

Nestlé New Zealand has also promised some sweet treats for well-behaved children.

FunfestisagreatfundraiserforKidzFirstChildren’s Hospital so if you’re in town come along and join the fun.

TheteamatSouthAucklandHealthFoundationcan’twaittoseethecrowdsatFunfest!

Formoredetailsgotowww.funfest.co.nz.

REFININGsurgicalskillshasbecomesafer,faster and more diverse with the arrival of high-tech, virtual reality training equipment.

The new laparoscopic simulator is being used by doctors specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology at Middlemore Hospital’s on site training facility, CTEC (Clinical Training and Education Centre).

The computer simulation equipment is the first of its type in New Zealand to give doctors hands-on experience when performing operations, such as the removal of an ectopic pregnancy or hysterectomies.

TheLionFoundationhasgranted$900,000to the refurbishment of CTEC’s resources, which includes funding the LapSim.

AtarecentCTECdemonstrationTheLionFoundationteamweretreatedtoanafternoonof hands-on training.

Chairman Mike Smith tested his simulated laparoscopic surgery skills under the guidance of Obstetric and Gynaecology Senior Medical Officer, Douglas Barclay.

“Formerlydoctorsstudiedfrombooks,usedbasic training with instruments in a box and then followed the apprentice model in theatre learning from their supervisors,” explains Douglas.

“About7.5hoursofsimulatedtrainingis the equivalent of about 30-50 hours real life training and evidence shows the real life surgery is then improved.”

He says the LapSim allows doctors to make errors and practice in a safe environment.

The programme presents doctors with numerous realistic variables and they receive comprehensive reports and scores for their performance.

Anintegratedscreencloselysimulateswhata surgeon would see in theatre and gives feedback on their performance enhancing their learning experience.

Whentheystepuptotheoperatingtablethey work faster and theatre utilisation is more efficient.

TheRoyalAustralianandNewZealandCollege of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)isarrangingforLapSimtrainingtobe available for all the trainees in New Zealand.

It is likely that in the future such training will be routine and compulsory.

CTECstaffkeptTheLionFoundationguestsmoving through fast paced and graphic simulation exercises, which demonstrated the impacttheFoundation’sinvestment.■

LapSim first for gynaecology training

Old fashioned family entertainment is guaranteed at Funfest.

Yvonne Li (registrar), mike Smith, Doug barclay (Senior medical Officer Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

CONNECT I PAGE 8

CMDHBWorkforceDevelopmentConsultant,Josephine Samuelu, has been leading a number of Pacific workforce initiatives to increase the Pacific nursingworkforcethroughthePacificReturntoNursingpilot(PRTN)projectand,morerecently,thePacific Nursing and Midwifery Leaders group.

ThePRTNwasapilotthatstartedin2007bythePacificHealthandWorkforceDevelopmentTeamwith funding from the Ministry of Health and the Department of Labour. The purpose of the pilot was to support Pasifika nurses living in New Zealand who had nursing registration in their home country, to complete the processes to attain nursing regis-tration here in New Zealand gaining employment as aNZRN.ThepilotprojectendedinJune2011witha total of 22 Pasifika nurses successfully gaining New Zealand registration. They are now working as RN’sacrossAucklandandHamilton.

The pilot was complex to manage, with multiple organisations and sectors involved and varying per-sonal circumstances and resources. Some of the main challenges of the project was supporting the nurses to successfully pass the International English and Literacy Test (IELTS) and getting Pacific nursing support to provide advice and guidance on the NZ Nursing council competencies whilst adjusting to working as a nurse within the New Zealand context. This year the CMDHB Pacific Nursing and Midwifery leaders group was established and it helped to supportthePRTNnursesparticularlyduringthe8week nursing competency assessment programme (CAP)undertakenatMIT.FivePacificnurseswereacceptedintotheCAPcoursethisyearandallhavesuccessfullygainedtheirNZRNcompetenciesandregistration.

AttheendofOctober,aPacificnursingandmidwifery Ta Talanoa (to talk to each other) was heldinKoAwateawhichwasorganisedbytheCMDHB Pacific Nursing and Midwifery Leaders Group. The theme was ‘Tupuanga Pasifika – Grow-ing and Supporting Pacific nursing and midwifery’. This forum created space for people to talk and sharetheirstories.Therewere75-80peoplewhoattended - nurses, midwives and students (high school and tertiary) and also Pacific nurse leaders fromADHB.Thepurposeof‘Tatalanoa’istoconnect staff, nurses, midwives, and students (high school and tertiary) and share stories about ser-vices, programmes and initiatives that are growing and supporting our Pacific nursing and midwifery workforce.

The keynote speaker of the day was Elizabeth Powell, Director Pacific Developments who deliv-ered a wonderful presentation about the ‘pipeline to success’ in growing and nurturing Pacific nurses and midwives and inspired everyone with her poem ‘Could I be a nurse’. Varanisese Dawai, aPRTNgraduate,wasoneofthespeakersandtalkedaboutthePRTNprogrammeandsharedherpersonal journey and challenges in the pilot project, highlighting the importance of the support from Pacific nurses who helped her get through. There wasbeagraduationceremonyforthelatestPRTNgraduates in November. They received their New Zealand nurses medal and practicing certificates from Denise Nelson - NZ Nursing Council, Denise Kivell-DirectorofNursingCMDHB,ElizabethPowell- Director Pacific Developments, CMDHB and Hilda Fa’asalele–GMPacificADHB.

Josephine Samuelu.

Celebrating our pacific nurses

Top:PRTNGraduates2011:VaraniseseDawai,SalomeRovonokula,PriyaFrancis,LanietaLesi,ElemeciTabuaandMiliana Puamau.Middle:ADHBNurseLeadersandCMDHBmidwivescon-necting at Ta talanoaBottom: Varanisese Dawai and Elizabeth Powell, speakers at Ta talanoa.

The public is now able to get a valuable insight into the Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB), with Chief Executive Officer Geraint Martin launching a public blog. Available at www.cmdhbceoblog.wordpress.com, this weekly update discusses pressing issues facing the organization and the provision of healthcare in Counties Manukau. Readers can leave comments and also access past posts from June 2011 (which have previously only been available to CMDHB staff). In his first week going public, Geraint talked about building momentum for change. Here’s an excerpt from that post (November 11, 2011):

“Welcometothoseofyouwhoarereadingthisforthefirsttime.AsChiefExecutiveOfficerofthe

Counties Manukau District Health Board, I’ve been blogging weekly about issues relevant to the or-ganisation and the provision of healthcare in Coun-ties Manukau (with occasional commentary on the RugbyWorldCupthrowninforgoodmeasure).Upuntil now my blog has only been made available to CMDHB staff however I’ve decided to go public and make both past and future posts available here toanyonewho’sinterested.We’regoingthrougha period of great change in the way healthcare is provided in Counties Manukau so now more than ever it’s particularly important to make connections with people across the health sector and start a meaningful two-way dialogue about the way for-ward. I hope you’ll check in regularly and take the opportunity to comment on issues relevant to you.

Ceo blog goes public “This week, I really want to talk about engagement and building whole of system momentum.Recently,thefocusbetweenCMDHBand its partners has very much been on the need to redesign the health system to deliver the right care, to the right person, in the right place, in the right way and at the right time to make the best use of the investment we are making in primary, secondary and tertiary care. In a nutshell, it’s about making healthcare Better, Sooner and More Convenient. It’s also about improving the working lives of our healthcare professionals so that they have time to do the job they need to for their patients. If we can do all of this, it will result in improved health and healthcare for our community.”

To read more, visit www.cmdhbceoblog.wordpress.com.

CONNECT I PAGE 9

First NZ NET SMART nurse fellow Stroke patients at Middlemore Hospital will receive world-leading care thanks to a staff member who now has an international stroke management diploma.

Pauline Owens, the charge nurse manager of Middlemore Hospital’s acute stroke unit, is the first NewZealandertobecomeaNETSMARTnursefellowwiththeUniversityofAlabama,Arizona.The28othernurseswhohavecompletedthisqualification, which focuses on improving outcomes foracutestrokepatients,allworkinAmerica.

Pauline has been working towards the NET SMARTdiplomabycompletingonlinemodulesoverthelast14months.Earlierthisyear,shetravelledtoAmericatocompletethefinalchallenge–ademanding two week practical assessment which put into practise what she had been learning.

“Being able to travel overseas and fulfil my passion for advanced education in this speciality was incredibly fulfilling,” she says.

DuringhertwoweeksinAlabama,Paulineworked in Birmingham Hospital doing on-the-spot assessments of new stroke patients, including reading and interpreting scans. She helped deliver a stroke clinic to a church congregation in one of America’spoorestandmostviolenttowns.Andshe got threatened at knife point – a situation she managed to escape from unharmed.

She also visited Victoria General Hospital in CanadatoobservetheirStrokeRapidAssessmentUnit - “an absolute dream”. It enables nurses to quickly assess patients and, after a small stroke, identify factors which can be changed to prevent a larger stroke occurring.

“Their motto is let’s not try and fix the strokes once they’ve happened, let’s stop them from happening at all. To help do this, they’ve upskilled and advanced their nursing staff. So I wanted to know how they upskill the nurses and what the nurses get from that upskilling.”

Pauline says the Canadian system is more aligned with the New Zealand model of caring for stroke patients, especially the significant involvement of nurses in stroke care and the involvement of family.

“In New Zealand, we very much have whaanau as part of our patient care because with stroke, you never have a single patient. The whole family is injured emotionally, and financially and socially. It’s never a single person disease.”

AfunnymomentinPauline’strip

was realising that the hotel she had booked during her stay in Canada was located near the wrong hospital.

“I thought I was going to Vancouver Hospital but I was actually going to Victoria General Hospital – a six hour journey each way from where I’d organised to stay. So what was meant to be a really convenient hotel room turned into a six hour journey one-way, involving a walk, train ride, bus ride, boat ride and another busride.FortunatelyIonlyvisitedthathospitaltwice!”

Pauline’stripwassupportedbya$7000BritishCommonwealthNurses’WarMemorialFundscholarshipfromtheNewZealandNursesOrganisation and an Esme Green Scholarship worth$600.

AswellasenablinghertocompleteherNETSMARTdiploma,shesaysthetriphashelpedher learn about different models of care and different ways of doing things which will benefit Counties Manukau patients.

“Youhavetogoandseewhat’soutthere-pick out the best of what others have got and then kiwi-fy it. New Zealand is small and if we stay blinkered we risk just being happy with what we’ve got. But when you go elsewhere, it’s just a complete and utter mind opener to listen to other people talk and to see it in action.

“Now more than ever, I realise that I really like the way we nurse. But this trip has intensified my desire for my nurses to learn and grow and know stroke inside out. I’ve always believed that knowledge and education is the way to make change and it’s made that stronger.”

Pauline is currently helping develop a stroke online learning tool as a way to help upskill nursing staff at Middlemore Hospital. ■

PaulineOwens,ToddRamerfromOklahomaandSusieKonsfromSaltLakeCity, Utah.

It has been an exceptional year of highlights for CCRepaswecontinuetobeguidedbyourstrategyandvisionofCreatingtheFutureofHealthcare.

WorkinginclosepartnershipwithCMDHBCCRep’scorebusinessisthemanagementandconduct of clinical trials in which CMDHB clinicians act as investigators.

Highlights this year include:•61clinicaltrialsongoingatJune30,2011•50staffnowdirectlyengagedbyCCRepto

support research•Recordfinancialperformance($3.8Mrevenue;

$440kintrialsurpluses)• IntroductionofClinicalConductor®softwarefor

trial management•23projectsfundedthroughtheCMDHB/CCRep

InnovationFund•100%increaseininvestigator-ledclinicaltrials•3biostatisticiansonstaffsupporting30+

departments•2HRCprojectgrantssuccessful•OpeningoftheMiddlemoreTissueBank–a

repository for cancer biospecimens Support for research at CMDHB will be further

enhanced in 2012. CMDHB supports a busy ResearchOffice(hostedbyCCRep)andprovidespartialfundingtoCCReptosupportanon-sitebiostatistics service.

CMDHB’sKoAwateainitiativehasamandatein the field of health service innovation which will gradually develop a new stream of CMDHB-driven research; this in turn will complement and interactwithCCRep’sexistingcapabilities.CCRepcontinues to invest to further boost ‘grass roots’ research activity such as the joint appointment of a secondbiostatisticianin2010withAUTUniversity.

Those new to research have benefited from attendingCCRep’s‘ResearchforBetterHealthOutcomes’ workshops which have now delivered contenttoover90attendees(53%nurses).Additionalinvestmentisplannedfor2011/12toincrease both the number of investigator-initiated projects supported and grant revenue.

Successful year for CCRep

CONNECT I PAGE 10

MeetFaama.Fivemonthsagohebecamesmokefree after smoking for 35 years.

Now he couldn’t feel better. “I became smokefree because I wanted to be

healthy and live longer. If you smoke, your life span’s quite short,” says the Niuean man, who now lives in Counties Manukau.

“Now that I’m smokefree I feel many things. I feel healthy, I have more energy, I can think clearly and I’m happy. If I knew then what I know now, I would have stopped smoking a long time ago.”

Faamaisoneofseveralvolunteerssharingtheir inspiring stories as part of a smokefree campaign being run by Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB). The campaign is aimed at reminding patients, visitors and staff that Middlemore Hospital and grounds are smokefree. CMDHB is committed to promoting health and wellness, part of which means supporting people to be smokefree by providing a non-smoking environment and enforcing our smokefree policy.

Wealsoaimtoprotectourpatients,visitorsand staff from secondhand smoke and from the negative effects of smoking. By becoming smokefree, patients have a faster recovery time and a shorter hospital stay. Being smokefree also promotes better wound healing and lessens the risks of patients developing complications during their hospital stay.

Patients or people visiting friends and family in MiddlemoreHospitalmightseeFaama’sfaceonaposter during their next visit. The campaign is also

WARFARIN NOMOGRAM

WA

RFA

RIN

CH

ART

Affix patient’s identification label here

1 21st Prescriber to handwrite patient’s full name here

Select indication, INR range and treatment duration(indicate action completed by ticking boxes)

Review risk factors and check baseline results(indicate action completed by ticking boxes)

2 - 3

2.5 - 3.5

3 - 4

Atrial fibrillationCardioversionMural thrombusTreatment of DVT/PETissue valves

Mechanical heart valves

Mechanical heart valvesimplanted pre 1990Recurrent DVT/PE whileon warfarin

Usually indefiniteShort term pre/postVariableAt least 3 months6 weeks

Indefinite

Indefinite

Indefinite

INR Indication Proposed duration

AGE >65 yearsActive malignancyGastrointestinal bleedRecent strokeUncontrolled CHFAlcoholismMajor surgery < 14 daysSevere hypertension

RISK FACTORS for bleeding on warfarin

Day 5 onwards — if INR therapeutic, use Day 4 dose as maintenancedose; otherwise seek specialist advice

3 Is the patient already on warfarin?Yes No

Patientalready onlong-termwarfarin

Patient startingwarfarin

WARFARIN DRUG INTERACTIONS• Consider all CONCOMITANT therapy including herbal, complementary and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.• Whenever starting or stopping a medicine that interacts, check INR 48 to 72 hours after change in therapy.• See Intranet Anticoagulation Guidelines for interactions CONTACT YOUR PHARMACIST OR MEDICINES INFORMATION FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Re-Order No. F102 Revised May 2008

MAREVAN® (preferred brand)

Coumadin® (tick if this brand is required eg. some overseas patients)

Note: Reliability is increased when warfarin is charted by the patient’s team

WARFARIN PRESCRIPTION RECORD ADMINISTRATION RECORD

WARFARIN CHART (ADULT)

MAREVAN®

1mg 3mg 5mg

NONEBaseline INR > 1.4Albumin < 30g/LBilirubin > 20 micromol/LPCV < 0.3Platelets < 50x109/LCreatinine > 200 micromol/Lor clearance < 30mL/min

10mg5mg (if 2 or more risk factors from the above list)

5mg1mgNil

5mg4mg3mg2mg1mgNil

10mg7mg6mg5mg4mg3mg2mg1mgNil

<1.4

<1.8 1.8 - 2 >2

<2 2 - 2.5 2.6 - 2.9 3 - 3.2 3.3 - 3.5 >3.5

<1.4 1.4 - 1.5 1.6 - 1.7 1.8 - 1.9 2 - 2.3 2.4 - 3 3.1 - 3.2 3.3 - 3.5 >3.5

1

2

3

4

Day INR Warfarin Dose check daily

Other – please specify INR, indication and duration below

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

Oral

ORDERED BY GIVEN BYDate INR Dose Time Route Signature Date Time Dose Route Signature mg and name plus pager given mg and name

4 Chart appropriate warfarin dose below andwrite warfarin as per INR on the standard medication chart

Daily dose mgIf appropriate, continue with usual dose and monitoring. Do NOT use warfarin nomogramcheck with registrar or pharmacist if uncertain.

Nomogram is suitable for most adult inpatients starting on warfarin. For complex patients seek expert advice.

All hospitals and grounds are smokefree

“My only regret

about becoming

smokefree is that

I didn’t do it earlier.

I’m healthier and

have more money in

my pocket now.”

For smokefree information and support talk to your doctor or nurse, or call:

Mangopare (Maaori service) on 0800 000 234

Pasifika (Pacific service) on 250 5757

Te Awatea (pregnancy service) on 274 6838

Quitline on 0800 778 778

Smokefree CMDHBextending across primary care, and we invite all health professionals to help us spread the smokefree message.

Smokefree support is available from thenationalQuitlineon0800778778or,forpatientsandvisitors,fromstaffatMiddlemoreHospital.Forthoseseeking help in the community, we have a number of services available:

Mangopare is a free Maaori smokefree service which aims to empower people and make smokefree living the norm for all people within Counties Manukau. To make an appointment,call0800000234.

The Pasifika Service is a free service primarily for Pacific people who would like help to stop smoking. It canbereachedon(09)2505757.

Te Awatea is a smokefree pregnancy service which provides smokefree support for pregnant women and their whaanau in Counties Manukau.Call(09)2746838formore information.

Formoreinformationabouttheseservices, visit the ‘being smokefree’ page at www.betterfuture.co.nz. ■

Phase 2 of the new Clinical Services Building is well underway - a modern and state of the art facility that will provide much needed services for our growing and ageing population.

Over the next couple of years (until late 2013) you’ll seeconstructionof14operatingtheatres,TADU(TheatreAdmissionandDischargeUnit),asterilesupplyunit,HDU(HighDependencyUnit),Assessmentand Planning Unit, Spiritual Centre and facilities for support services (orderlies, cleaning, mail room, patient information services, clinical coding, waste and medical gas store and plant).

“Our population continues to expand and we need this new facility to help meet our current and future demands,”saysChesterBuller,ManagerCapitalWorks.

“The project team has been doing a lot of planning behind the scenes and all of the building works will be staged to minimise disruption.

“This will be a challenging project and we will be asking for your support and patience as we move forward. The end result will be a modern, accessible andfunctionalHealthCareFacility.”

Stage 1 of the CSB was completed in September 2011. This included construction of a commercial kitchen and temporary facilities for Inwards Goods and Linen. ■

Clinical services building

MrParahaandMrChandlookdownattheworksfromWard34.

CONNECT I PAGE 11

CardiacRehabilitationisanevidenced-basedintervention proven to improve quality of life after a heart attack and reduce the risk of future heart events. The team at Middlemore have been developing a whole range of “healthy heart programmes” in locations and at times that suit our community. These programmes have been tailored to meet the needs of the individual/whanau and focus on supporting people to develop self management skills to improve ongoinghealth.In2010ourAuditshowedwehadimproved the uptake of the programme for many people after a heart attack but Pacific people who had suffered a heart attack were the least likely ethnic group to attend the programmes. The possible barriers could have been locality and language.

TheCardiacRehabilitationteamatMiddlemorehave worked very closely with the Pacific Health Cultural Support team over the last year to develop innovative ways to engage the Pacific community in our healthy heart programme. Aseriesofmeetingswithkeystakeholdersinthe community including Manu Sione (General ManagerPacificHealth),HeartFoundation,HealthAllianceplusandLotuMouiwereorganisedtodiscuss the needs of Pacific people with heart disease in CMDHB. The first step all identified was we need to work with the community more closely therefore a focus group consisting of people with heart disease was organised. The wisdom and insights we gained from these

groups guided the development of a community-based Pacific healthy heart programme. This started in Mangere as a pilot in June/July of thisyearconsistingof4oneandahalfhourworkshops discussing understanding heart disease and cardiac procedures, dealing with emotions, increasing physical activity in a fun and interactive way, managing stress, developing a positive attitude around healthy eating and exploring attitudes and comprehension aroundmedications.Weinvolvedcommunitypharmacists, PHO based dieticians, LotuMoui (a Pacific healthy living community initiative) and community exercise facilitators such as Counties Manukau active, Green Prescription and the Pacific Zumba. The second block of workshops was held in Otara whilst the third was back inMangere.Wearelooking to secure a permanent venue to make access throughout the year easier. Programme attendance is growing and the word on the street is that the programmes are exciting and relevant

to the community. The programme continues to grow and develop as each new group makes suggestions and guides the team to continually seek to refine and develop the process.

The Pacific Team and community partnerships have been awesome and prove that a good idea doesn’thavetocostalotofmoney.Wehopetowork closer with individual primary health care teamsintheNewYearandifanyoneisinterestedinworkingwithus,pleasecontactKatherineatmcleank@middlemore.co.nz or Lani at Lani.Ioelu@middlemore.co.nz

FaafetaiLava,MaloAupito,Fakauelahi,Meitakima’ata and thank you. ■

Cardiac rehabilitation team

In 2010 CMDHB successfully applied for ‘InnovationsFunding’fundingfromCareerforce,the Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation, which has established a trust to support workplace training innovation. The application was on behalf of the seven Home Based

Support Organisations or HBSSs in the CMDHB district and was aimed at ensuring 150 support workers (in three batches of 50 over a three year period) complete their National Certificate in Community Support Services (Core Competencies) Level 3.

Improving home care standards

This month marks a major milestone as the first batch of 50 trainees graduated from the programme.

WeusedtheCareerforceInnovationsFundingtoemployaWorkplaceTrainer/Assessor,

VickyAperahama,andsheisemployedbyCMDHB to work with the HBSSs to promote the training programme, mentor the trainees and to provide additional training support for the more difficult unit standards.

Vicky also works with the various Coordinators at the HBSSs to ensure there is consistency in theassessmentandverificationoflearning.Ahighlight for many of the trainees was a marae visitorganisedbyVickywithhelpfromTeArohaTeriaki as part of the Unit standard Maaori Principles and Standards. Other unit standards covered by the graduates include personal care, rights and responsibilities, dealing with challenging behaviours, abuse and neglect, independence, advocacy and risk management.

DanaRalph-Smith,GeneralManager,ARHOPsays“Wearedelightedtoseethesesupportworkers achieve their goals. They work with some of our most vulnerable older people to allow them to maintain their independence and remain living at home”. ■

Some of the Pacific cardiac rehabilitation team

CONNECT I PAGE 12

MentalHealthAwarenessWeekwascelebratedovertheweek10thtothe14thofOctober.

TakingacuefromtheRugbyWorldCupeventsover October, Te Pou led the way with Mental Health Promotions under the theme “Get In the Game. Training for Happiness”

On this background a collaborative celebration ofMentalHealthAwarenessWeekwasheldbytwomentalhealthteamsinSouthAuckland.FrameworkTrust, Papakura, an NGO Mental Health Support service,andAwhinatiaHealth,thePapakuraCommunity Health Centre. The two teams worked together on a mental health promotion that took place in the Papakura town centre on Thursday 13th of October.

WithvegetableandflowerseedlingsdonatedbyMitre10MegaStore,KingsPlantBarn,andsubsidised sausages from the Mad Butcher our intrepid teams braved a blustery day to hold a sausage sizzle. The sausages and plant seedlings were given away for a small donation to passers by who had stopped to enquire further. The proceeds raisedweredonatedtotheSouthAucklandHealthFoundation.Asumof$371.60wasraisedduringour event.

The sub themes for this year’s celebration were five strategies for supporting good mental health.

Our two services promoted and incorporated these five components into the event.

It feels good to give. Everybody has something to offer. How will you play your part? People giving a donationtotheSouthAucklandHealthFoundation.Gifting of food and seedlings to plant and nurture fitted well into this theme.

Do what you can, enjoy what you do, be active, and move your mood. Promoting, giving resource material on healthy eating, exercise and the“GreenPrescription”coveredthisoffnicely!

Take notice of the world around you. Savour themoment.Whatarethesimplethingsthatbringyou joy? Seedling plants as symbols of life, our environment and nurturing brought a smile to many who listened.

Keep learning through out your life. Seek out new experiences and challenge yourself. WRAPtrainingwaspromotedthroughouttheday.WellnessRecoveryActionPlans(WRAP)isatrainingtool that mental health workers use to help support people with mental health problems. These plans are developed for the person to take responsibility, control and manage their difficulties in a way that improves their sense of esteem and autonomy. The principles of these plans hold good for everybody in our community.

People are stronger when they pull together. Whocouldyouconnectwithtoday?A

competition where people were asked to nominate an activity they had done that day to connect with others, won one lucky person a beautiful gift basket.Atotalof37entriesforthegiftbasketwerereceived with comments ranging from: “Looked after niece for the holidays” to “Patrolled the streets of Papakura to keep the community safe” The gift basket was won by a young lad from Pukekohe whowasshoppingwithhisAunty,Uncleandotherfamily members who returned to the stall to make a donation.

Our two teams thoroughly enjoyed their day working together and promoting mental health and wellness to the general population. The responses from the public were rewarding and we hoped we brightened the day for those we connected with on an otherwise gloomy spring day. ■

Get in the game (training for happiness)

KidzFirstChildProtectionServicehasbeenestablished for over 10 years. During this time we have grown to meet the increasing need of CMDHB staff and patients requiring support and guidance in the area of child protection. This includes providing education, consultation, information and co-ordination to all CMDHB staff involved with children for who abuse, neglect or care and protection is an issue.

Weworkcollaborativelywithagenciesoutside

ofCMDHBincludingChildYouthandFamilyand the Police to best facilitate child protection services, and offer support and information on child abuse matters from a health perspective. Part of this is providing non-acute therapeutic medical assessments, for children who have been sexually, physically and/or emotionally abused or neglected.

Child protection is a difficult subject for anyone so our mantra is to never do this work alone and

alwaysconsult,consult,consult!Please remember, there is no excuse for child

abuse.Formoreinformationregardingourservice

and resources relating to Child Protection please go to http://southnet/kidz_first/Child_protection.htmorPhone:(09)2760044extension7025Mobile:(021)569546Fax:(09)2760151orinternal8151child.protectionservice@middlemore.co.nz

Child protection serviceChild abuse and neglect IS a health issue! Just remember you are not alone