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THEPULSEMay 2010the newsletter of the Taranaki District Health BoardFun At Quiz NightStratford Health CentreBlessingTaranaki Together, A Healthy CommunityTaranaki Whanui He Rohe Oranga

Comments from CEO Tony Foulkes and Director of Nursing Kerry-Ann AdlamTony FoulkesChief ExecutiveKerry-Ann AdlamDirector of NursingAs can be seen in this edition of ThePulse, our nurses are working in allsettings with all types of patients,organisations and communities.Every country in the world is affected bythe rising tide of chronic disease and theneed for appropriate care, and Taranakiis no exception. The potential for nursesto contribute to improving the health ofpopulations in Taranaki and around theworld has never been greater.Statistics show that 60% of deathsglobally are due to chronic disease,with 80% of these occurring in lowand middle income countries. OnInternational Nurses’ Day, the Council ofNurses called on nurses everywhere tomove to stem the pandemic of chronicdisease.The Pulse this year reflects the diversityof nursing roles. The Nursing ReconnectProgramme has examples of nurses whoare returning to practice in the hospitaland the community with increasedpassion and excitement for their work.This edition also has many examples ofnurses that have continued to train anddevelop their skills throughout theircareers.With all the continued education thatnurses are involved in patients continueto appreciate the work of our nursesand midwives. The Praise for Nursesstory highlights how the positiveinteraction between nurses and patientsis beneficial to recovery.International Nurses Day and theInternational Day of the Midwife giveus the opportunity to celebrate bothprofessions each year, acknowledgingthe hard work and commitment topatient care. We greatly appreciate thework done by all nurses and midwivesacross Taranaki, those in hospitals andin the community, and we thank youfor your contribution towards TaranakiTogether, a Healthy Community.Right now there is a midwife helpinga woman become a mum, a nurseholding the hand of a dying man, anurse inserting an IV in a child, a nurselistening to an Alzheimer’s patient tell astory of long ago, a nurse and midwifemissing their family while taking care ofyours . In the minute you took to readthis, nurses all over the world are savinglives.A big thank you to the nurses andmidwives working with our communitythroughout Taranaki.Kerry-Ann AdlamDirector of NursingTony FoulkesChief ExecutiveBoard and Advisory Committee UpdatesBoard Update – May• The consolidated financial result todate is $2.21m. Our forecast remains at$850,000 worse than planned.• The first stage of Project Maungawill now include the demolition of theStainton block. With pressure on thenational budget it is unlikely we wouldreceive approval for stage two and threein the immediate future.• Two Expressions of Interest that affectTaranaki are the National Maori PHOCoalition and the Midland Network. Bothhave been considered by the Ministry ofHealth and business cases are to proceed.• Project Splice consultation is completeand recommendations were approved bythe board.Hospital Advisory Meeting – April• The financial deficit forecast hasincreased from $7.1m to $8.1m. Therelationships between volume, quality andcost pressures were demonstrated, showinghow the factors impacted on each other.• Ambulance Service ownership discussionscontinue with the Ministry of Health.• The Emergency Department at Basecontinues to be under pressure. Therehas been a 21% increase in triage 4 and 5presentations at Hawera ED in a year.• The Community Oral Health Project ismoving ahead and will result in a completechange in the provision of oral healthservices for 0-18 year olds.Community & Public Health/ DisabilitySupport Advisory Committees – April• There was a presentation from theDepartment of Conservation on OperationEgmont animal pest control.• Actions by the Disability Action Grouphas resulted in approval for the locationof two bus stops within Base Hospitalgrounds.• The overall funding position for the ninemonths to March was a surplus of $4.4magainst a budgeted surplus of $3.75m.• The Draft National Health IT Plan wastabled for discussion. It is looking at howDHBs can work better together.2// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

page 5Contents2. CEO Comments4. A Love of Nursing5. What’s New in Maternity?6. Another Time, Another Pace7. Quiz Night8. Nurses Come Back9. Keeping Safe Overseas10. Expert Shares Knowledge11. Tobacco Health Target12. Golf Day Full of Fun13. Blue Coat Brigade14. Kaumatua Day15. Laboratory Costs16. In Briefpage 6page 7page 12page 16EDITORIAL PANELThe Pulse is the newsletter ofthe Taranaki District HealthBoard. We welcome your ideasand contributions please submitthem by email to:communications@tdhb.org.nzLisa HofsteeTammy TaylorHonor LymburnLisa HamiltonGeraldine JensenFrances PentelowBronwen PepperellFor a full colour version of ThePulse visit:www.tdhb.org.nz;EDITORKrysti WettonDESIGNERNick O’SullivanPRINTERTaranaki DHBPUBLISHERCommunications TeamTaranaki District Health BoardDavid StreetPrivate Bag 2016New Plymouth 4342Taranaki Together, A Healthy Community PULSE //THE3

Rewarding Career in Mental HealthJohn GregoryJohn Gregory made a snap decisionto become a mental health nurse,leaving a career as a photographerbehind him. And he hasn’t regrettedit one bit.It was seeing a TV documentaryfollowed by a visit to a mentalhospital that sparked his interest inmental health - the term “mentalhealth” had yet to be used.The new TDHB Clinical NurseManager for Te Puna Waiora trainedin the UK in his mid-twenties. Hequalified as a mental health nurseand has worked in the field eversince.He finds working in mental healthinteresting and rewarding. “I enjoytalking to the clients and alwayshave.”John came to New Zealand fromthe UK in 2000 before heading toAustralia for a few years. He hasreturned to take up the job with theDHB.His role involves helping oversee theinpatient adult mental health unitTe Puna Waiora, the Crisis Team, theAcute Home-based Support Teamand Te Whare Whakaahuru, anacute respite facility.John believes that people sufferingfrom mental health problems shouldbe given as many opportunities aspossible, along with support andunderstanding. “Mental illness canstrike anyone, just like a physicalillness.”Nursing has given him plenty ofopportunities to live and work inmany different places, giving himan understanding of how thingsare done elsewhere. “I think NewZealand has got a good mentalhealth service. There’s a committedworkforce and the most talentedbunch of nurses who are preparedto go the extra mile.”He is impressed how the staffmembers here support each other.“We’ve got a good team and wediscuss things.”The most important quality mentalhealth nurses need is a desire to helpothers to get the most from theirlives, John says.A Love of NursingShona Barlow with a photo ofherself early on in her nursingcareer.Shona Barlow was just 15 when shebegan her nurse training.Her mother and three sisters wereall nurses and it was expected shefollow in their footsteps. Shona, arenal district nurse, retired in March.Looking back over her long careershe wouldn’t have had it any otherway. “I loved the challenge, itsuited me beautifully and has beenvery satisfying,” she says.She returned to nursing in 1973after leaving to have a family. Inthe late 1980s she trained as arenal nurse and was the only onein Taranaki for 10 years. She hasknown some of the patients for 30years, and she’s going to miss themand her colleagues.In 1997, Pauline Priest beganrelieving so Shona could takeholidays. They’ve worked togetherever since.Their role involves training andsupporting pre-dialysis, peritonealdialysis and transplant patients.Peritoneal dialysis is a home-basedtreatment for patients with severechronic kidney failure.Shona says the highlight of hercareer was the opening of the RenalUnit in 2001. The number of renalnurses grew to six at the time. “Itwas very exciting,” she said.Shona’s husband Ray recentlyretired from his job at Port Taranakias harbourmaster and operationsmanager. Together they haveplenty planned for their retirement.Biking, golf and travelling areamong the long to-do list.4// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

Another Time, Another PaceTDHB Midwife Robyn Millen spent time volunteering at a Vanuatu hospital. This is her story.My husband and youngest sonvisited Vanuatu with a group fromthe Central Baptist Church in 2008to build a water tank for a village.They both fell in love with theplace and the people.In 2009, I joined my husband for abrief part of his trip while he didmore voluntary work there.We stayed in a village where mostpeople spoke English. The othertwo official languages are Bislama,which is like pidgin English, andFrench.I went to the local hospital justto have a look around, but wasso warmly welcomed to thematernity unit I decided to workthere for a few days. The unit hadan antenatal clinic, labour wardand 16 postnatal beds.At the antenatal clinic, it wasa matter of first in first served.The doors were shut after thefirst 40 women were seen, andthe remainder told to come backanother day.I accompanied a woman, whowas six months pregnant, fromthe village where we stayed tothe clinic. She had already triedtwice previously to get in and itwas difficult to convince her to tryagain. I explained this was one timewhen “island time” didn’t count.The clinic provided plenty ofinformation on parenting andbirth control, but there are stillhigh rates of teen pregnancies andSTDs.There were educational videosplaying the whole time as manylocals are illiterate because schoolis expensive and not compulsory.Post natal staff had little to dowith the mothers as their own“mammas” looked after them,teaching how to nappy change,bath and feed the baby. The staffmembers were only called on ifthere were concerns.Most women go home the nextday and only return at two andfour weeks for check ups.Women in labour are assessedevery four hours but otherwisewalk along the corridors,supported by their mamma, untilthey are ready to push. They don’tusually have any pain relief.The women bring their own linen,food and drink. One woman Icared for hadn’t had anythingto eat or drink for 15 hours. Shehad sent her husband home toget her something as she wasthirsty. I managed to find a cupand give her some water. An hourlater, the woman gave birth to ahealthy little baby - amazing.On another occasion, I checkedin on an 18-year-old womanwho had just been cleared to gohome with her small, 36 weekold twins which were born threedays earlier. One of the babiesweighed just 2100g and wassleepy, floppy and hadn’t fedmuch since birth. She lookeddehydrated with cracked, dry lips.With a lot of hand signals anda little Bislama, I helped thewoman express milk to cup feedthe baby.The baby was like a wiltedflower being watered - withinminutes of drinking the milkshe was responsive enough tothen breastfeed for 20 minutes. Iwondered if the baby would havesurvived if she had gone homewithout the expressed breastmilk.I learned while I was there howblessed we are in New Zealandto have our high standard ofliving and medical care - we can’ttake anything for granted. Eventhough Vanuatu is another timeanother pace, babies are bornand women still survive.6// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

TDHB QUIZ NIGHTThis year we celebrated InternationalNurses Day with a quiz night,organised by the Nursing Directorate.The response to the quiz nightwas overwhelming, with 20 teamsrepresenting the DHB, SouthernCross Hospital, WITT, Phoenix UrgentDoctors, CAREfirst.It was a closely contested quiz andonly three points separated thetop three teams. The winning teamwas Twitters (WITT), second wasNeuroleptics (Mental Health) andthird was Flaming Phoenix (PhoenixUrgent Doctors).Many of the teams dressed for theoccasion and made the judging forbest dressed team a challenge. Aftermuch discussion Neo Nerds (NNU) tookout first prize with Risqué Business(Quality Risk) second and FrontalLobectomies (Mental Health) third.The Nursing Directorate thanks allthe teams for making it an enjoyableevening, and a reminder that briberydoesn’t work with Glenda unless it isa decent bribe.Also special thanks to Kerry, ourobliging orderly, who was theperfect waiter attending tablesduring the evening. And thank youto cleaners Helen Cole and ColinNewman who altered their cafécleaning schedule for the evening.spot prizes for innovative answers.For example:What is the term used todescribe the act of throwing theball into the turf immediatelyafter scoring a touch down inAmerican Rules football?• Show off• ChildishWhy is the White Housewhite?• So the wombles can’t find it• Green houses get to hot• PurityWhat is Nyctophobia?• Fear of nursesThe evening was full of surprises • Fear of underwearTaranakiwith someTogether,teamsA HealthybeingCommunityawardedPULSE //THE

Nurses Go Back to What they Loveworking in Ward 3 at Taranaki BaseHospital.“It’s like adream. It’s whatI wanted to doand the nursingreconnect coursegave me theconfidence.”During the nine years Helen wasout of nursing she had stintsowning and running a cafe inWaitara, and as matron at NPGHSScotlands Hostel. She said thecourse was amazing. “It givesyou that ‘you can do it’ feeling.It reaffirms that you do have theskills, you do have the knowledge.Reconnect Coordinator GlendaButturini instilled that confidencein us.”Ward 3 Nurse Helen LeppardFormer nurses are rediscoveringtheir passion working in healthand returning to the workforce indroves thanks to Taranaki DHB’sNursing Reconnect Programme.More than 70 nurses haveundertaken the programme since itstarted in 2007.Two nurses who took advantageof the programme last year havefound their niche and can’t believetheir good fortune.Delwyn Houston had been awayfrom nursing for nine years. Afterdiverse experiences from runninga motel and a beauty therapyclinic, she still had nursing in herblood. “It was always in the backof my mind to retrain and TaranakiDHB offered me the perfectopportunity,” she said.The Nursing Reconnect Programmeis a Nursing Council of NewZealand approved competenceassessment programme forenrolled and registered nurses. Ittakes 6-12 weeks to complete andnurses are matched to senior nursesfor clinical placements.Delwyn had previous experienceworking in Middlemore Hospital’srehabilitation and surgicalwards. But after completing theprogramme she decided to lookat different options and is nowworking at Chalmers Rest Home.“In the rest home I get to knowthe residents, listen to their storiesand learn about their lives. I feelprivileged,” Delwyn said.Nurse Helen Leppard also successfullycompleted the programme and isShe said working as a nurse againwas scary and she still had tocheck herself. “There is differentequipment and procedures butyour instincts are still the same andpatient’s needs are still the same,”she said.Helen said patients seemed to besicker in hospital now as simplehealth problems were dealt with inthe community.“The best change in the wardsis there is much more of a teamapproach between doctors,pharmacists, specialist nurses andnurses. In the old days a nursewould never speak to a consultant– those days have gone and it is amuch better atmosphere,” she said.Both nurses said they enjoyeda change while bringing uptheir families, but the NursingReconnect Programme was thenudge they needed to rememberhow passionate they were aboutnursing.8// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

Keeping Safe OverseasJody Neville-LambJody Neville-Lamb is combining hernursing background with a love oftravelling to help people be safeoverseas.She has completed a PostgraduateCertificate in Travel Medicine andnow runs Carefirst Medical Centre’sTravel Clinic with Dr Alison Gadsby.The clinic offers vaccinations anda wide range of advice on howto stay safe and healthy whileoverseas.Praise for NursesJody was a practice nurse atCAREfirst before studying travelmedicine. Most of the people onher course were GPs, with just a fewother nurses.A keen traveller herself, she enjoysfinding out about people’s overseasplans and advising them on whatthey can do to keep safe. “It’s reallyinteresting, and I get to see peoplewho are doing cool things.”Jody says her own overseasexperiences give her an insight intowhat people may be in store for. “Ifyou’re doing travel medicine, it’sreally good to travel.”Every country, continent andenvironment is unique and requiresdifferent precautions to betaken. Jody needs to know exactdestinations, timeframes, activitiesand types of accommodation toidentify any risks.The consultations, which can lastup to an hour, cover everythingfrom vaccines and antimalarials toadvice on safe sex and credit cardfraud.Medication is prescribed for peoplewho might suffer ailments such asaltitude sickness or stomach bugswhile they’re away.Jody’s travel tips• Always have travel insurance - younever know when you may findyourself in need of urgent medicalattention.• Rabies is 100% fatal if you don’t getmedical treatment. If you’ve been bittenor scratched by an animal seek urgentmedical attention. There’s also a vaccineavailable for rabies.• Watch what you eat and drink inEgypt - 80% of travellers end up withdiarrhoea from the food and waterthere.• Keep photocopies of your passport ina safe place, it’ll make the applicationprocess to get a new one a lot easier ifyou lose the original.• If you return from a malariaaffected country with a temperatureseek medical attention early andtell your health professional whereyou’ve been.• Protect yourself from malariamosquitoes at night, that’s when theyfeed. Dengue mosquitoes bite during theday.• If you think you need vaccinesbefore you travel, arrange this early.Some vaccines require a series ofinjections. Yellow fever vaccine iscompulsory for entry into manycountries throughout South Americaand Africa.• Make sure someone knows where youare at all times.Here are just of a few of thecomments made by patientsthanking nurses for the care theyprovide. The comments are fromthe Patient Satisfaction Surveys.“The ward nurses were great -went out of their way to ensurecomfort and kept me up-to-date onhappenings.” (Ward 2)“Impressed by the nurses’ expertiseand attention at all times.” (Ward 4)“Night nurse excellent.” (Ward 3)“Male nurse was excellent - kind,quiet and efficient when I felt sodreadful.” (ED)“Most staff treated me as if I waspersonally important to them - notjust a patient.” (Ward 5)“Impressed by the way nurses caredfor a very difficult patient in myroom.” (Ward 4)“The WITT trainees were excellent,very pleasant and helpful. The HCAsvery friendly and helpful.” (Ward 4)“The ED nurse was lovely, had agood sense of humour and I reallyappreciated his care.” (ED)“Helpfulness of nursing and medicalstaff made me feel so safe and wellcared for.” (Ward 5)“Wonderful discharge informationgiven to me as mum’s carer - such ahelp.” (Day Ward)“Midwives were fantastic,beautiful, caring people. Thankyou for making my experience sowonderful.” (Maternity)“Helpfulness of all neonate nursesamazing. Came home feelingconfident thanks to wonderfulteam.” (Maternity)Taranaki Together, A Healthy Community PULSE //THE9

Expert Shares KnowledgeDr Michael BirdCaring for people with dementiacan be rewarding and challenging– especially when behaviouralproblems appear.Finding the causes of behaviouralproblems can be particularlydifficult but is a vital key tomaintaining quality care, says anexpert in the field.Dr Michael Bird was in NewZealand to run a workshop at thePsychology of Older Age meetingin Auckland in April. He also spenttwo days in Taranaki, where he gavepresentations on the behaviouraland psychological symptoms ofdementia.Dr Bird is a consultant (senior)clinical psychologist for olderpeople in Australia. He is currentlythe Director of the Aged CareEvaluation Unit in Canberra. He hasa special interest in dementia andassociated problems such as anxietyand depression.He said behaviours associatedwith dementia include repetitivequestions, screaming, violence,resistance to care and wandering.Finding the cause of the problemhelps determine which treatmentis most suitable for each client, hesays. “Talking to families helps geta picture of how the person usedto be.” For example someone whowas a shift worker may find itdifficult sleeping at night when ina rest home.Dr Bird says anti-psychoticmedication isn’t always theanswer. A common senseapproach, such as talking quietlyto a distressed client, reassuringthem or giving them spacecould be a better alternative. It’simportant that staff looking afterdementia sufferers take a lead incoming up with interventions, headded.He said working with people withdementia can be stressful. “Thereare some amazingly dedicatedpeople out there.”TDHB Clinical Psychologist JohnGlass and Aged ResidentialCare Nurse Consultant BronwenPepperell organised for Dr Bird tocome to Taranaki. The workshopswere a big hit with the DHB andrest home staff who attended.Manager Heads to AustraliaPaula HakesleyPaula Hakesley has left her job asMental Health Service Manager for anew role across the ditch.She said she had spent five fabulousyears at the DHB. “The staff arefantastic and the services are great.”She especially liked working onprojects that raised the MentalHealth Service’s profile locally andnationally. “I have a passion for jointventures and working with the NGOsector.”Paula thanked the DHB forsupporting her to growprofessionally. “The DHB providesgood grounds for people to getexperience and take on newchallenges.”Her colleagues were sad to seeher go, and paid tribute to thecontribution she had made to themental health sector in Taranaki.“I’ve just loved working with Paula,”Hospital Services General ManagerJoy Farley said. “She is practical,sensible and got on with the job. Forthat, we’ll always be grateful.”Several people, representing a rangeof departments and organisations,spoke at Paula’s farewell held inBarretts Lounge.Mental Health Clinical Director DrSamir Heble said he had enjoyedworking with Paula, and creditedher for strengthening networks inTaranaki.10// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

Elephant Represents an Obvious TruthThere’s an elephant in the room andit’s too big to ignore - smoking.Smoking is a serious addiction. Morethan half of all smokers can’t quitwithout help and about half ofeveryone who smokes dies from asmoking-related disease. On average,smokers lose 15 years of their lives.Hospitalisation provides a goodopportunity to initiate and support aquit attempt, not only for patients butalso parents and other whanauof hospitalised children and youngpeople.The ABC approach for smokingcessation is based on the New ZealandSmoking Cessation Guidelines, whichprompts and provides support forall health workers to Ask all patientsif they smoke, give Brief advice toquit to all smokers and to provideevidence-based Cessation support.The average smoker can take about 14attempts before quitting successfullylong term. Health professionals havea duty of care and play an importantrole in helping smokers to quit.The key is to encourage and supportanother quit attempt as soon aspossible.One of the Government’s new healthtargets is Better Help for Smokersto Quit. The target is for 80% ofhospitalised smokers to be providedwith advice and help to quit by July2010.To help clinical staff document thiswe have introduced a simple tick boxSmoking Cessation/Referral Form:; http://tdhbintranet/Forms/Clinical/All medical and nursing staff arerequired to complete the form forevery patient admitted to hospital,including those staying in ED longerthan three hours.Mā te rongo, kamōhioMā te mōhio, kamāramaMā te mārama, kamātauMā te mātau, ka oraThrough resonancecomes cognisance;Through cognisancecomes understanding;Through understandingcomes knowledge;Through knowledgecomes life and wellbeingStratford Health Centre BlessingA blessing of the Stratford HealthCentre site was held in April, beforethe building work started.Members of the Stratford HealthTrust, along with representativesfrom Taranaki DHB, Stratford DistrictCouncil and the WhakaahurangiMarae took part in the blessing.The Stratford Health Trust hascompleted a tender process withFletcher Construction being awardedthe contract. Construction has begunto develop the facilities on theexisting Stratford Health Centre site.The expanded health centre willaccommodate general practice,physiotherapy, community midwifery,audiology services and current DHBservices.Due to the impacts of noise anddisturbance on some patients,alternative rooms have been foundat 88 Miranda St for the clinicalservices most affected.The blessing ceremony at the Stratford Health Centre.However, DHB funded physiotherapyoutpatients will have the choice ofreceiving treatment at the StratfordPhysiotherapy Clinic, 88 Celia St,or at Base or Hawera HospitalPhysiotherapy Departments.ACC clients who meet TaranakiDHB entry criteria for outpatientphysiotherapy are able to receive thistreatment at Base or Hawera Hospitalat no cost. Patients also have theoption to receive treatment privatelyin Stratford, or elsewhere, and pay aco-payment.The aim is to establish a communitycentered health service offeringan extensive range of primary andsecondary health services from asingle location for the people ofStratford.Taranaki Together, A Healthy Community PULSE //THE11

Golf Day Full of FunThe Taranaki DHB annual golftournament was a big hit with staff.Participants were treated to awonderful sunny day and fantasticviews of the mountain as they played.The golf was pretty good also withcompetitive scores posted.Congratulations to the winners:Supreme Award for Best OverallTeamEquinus Contracture (Orthopaedics/Theatre)2nd Best Overall teamBusy Hands (Physio)3rd Best Overall TeamHIQ Hackers (IT)Best Dressed TeamThe DisorderliesMen’s Longest DriveColin ShotterWomen’s Longest DriveFiona TaylorMen’s Closest to the PinChris HenwoodWomen’s Closest to the PinVal YoungPlayers were given a starterpack containing goodies beforeembarking on a round of golf, withBBQ sausages and refreshments onthe way. Everyone won a prize, andthis year some got more than one.The tournament and prizes couldnot happen without the generoussupport of our sponsors, which areacknowledged on:;http://www.tdhb.org.nz/news/latest_news.shtml12// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

Clinical BoardPlanning and Funding ClinicalLeadership GroupPlanning, Funding and PopulationGM Sandra Boardman providedinformation and answered questionsabout the role and current activityof this group, which is an advisorygroup to Planning and Fundingmade up of hospital and communityclinicians.The group is working alongside theClinical Board with a specific focuson funding.The group is currently looking at threeprojects:• Reducing community pharmacyexpenditure• Interface between primaryand secondary sectors aroundosteoarthritis and joint replacement• Urgent but non emergency access toservices after hoursVagal Nerve StimulationTherapyThe Clinical Board approved totake part in a pilot project thatwill establish the viability of thisas a treatment modality for severeintractable epilepsy, where epilepsysurgery is not an option.Clinical Ethics Advisory GroupThe establishment of a clinicalethics advisory group is supportedunanimously by the Clinical Board.Dr Gail Riccitelli, Psychiatrist, willbe the group champion for theDHB. The next step is to requestexpressions of interest from allclinical staff to develop a coregroup for this project.If you are interested in being partof the group please contact GailRiccitelli (Gail.Riccitelli@tdhb.org.nz,ext 8572) or Honor Lymburn (Honor.Lymburn@tdhb.org.nz, ext 8982).Blue Coat Brigade BlossomsInfection Control Committee -Annual Report 2009This report highlighted the increasedflu vaccine uptake and reducedstream infection in renal patients.The committee is always looking forinterested staff to play a role.CommunicationA synopsis of the Clinical Boardminutes from each meeting willgo on the intranet. The ClinicalBoard intranet page will haveinformation including details fromthe Dashboard of Clinical Indicators.;http://tdhbintranet/AboutUs/Clinical+Board/Next MeetingThe next Clinical Board meeting willbe held on Thursday, 27 May 2010.Blue Coats are gracing our corridorsin force, sending lost looking visitors,staff and patients off in the rightdirection.The number of meet and greetvolunteers, who are distinctive intheir bright blue coats, has grown to23.The concept started with just oneperson, but a recent call out for morevolunteers resulted in a flood of callsto Volunteering New Plymouth.The volunteers received training andwere given a comprehensive tour ofBase Hospital in preparation for theirduties.TDHB’s Robyn Harvey (far right) with some of the newly recruited meet andgreet volunteers.Blue Coat Supervisor Lyn Kretschmarorganises the roster, which is splitinto morning and afternoon shifts.The meet and greet volunteersare based at main reception andcorporate reception.Robyn Harvey, of Human Resources,says the Blue Coats come from arange of backgrounds.From young mothers to retirees,they’re all keen to help out. “Wereally appreciate it.”The service is in its infancy and thereare plans to grow it in the future.A special thanks to La NuovaDrycleaners for supporting theinitiative.Taranaki Together, A Healthy Community PULSE //THE13

Kaumatua DayThis year’s Kaumatua Wellbeing Dayat Waitara was again a great success,attracting more than 150 older peoplefrom as far away as Parihaka and Patea.The annual event was one of a seriesof Wellbeing Days organised by NewPlymouth injury Safe, in partnershipOn AlertTaranaki DHB took part in a recentTaranaki Civil Defence EmergencyManagement exercise to test responseplans in the event of a tsunami threat.It was a table top exercise, using arealistic scenario based on the 2009Samoan earthquake. The exercisefocussed on the functions andrelationships within the Emergencywith Mahia Mai A Whai Tara, to raiseawareness of health and wellbeingissues among Kaumatua in Taranaki.The Kaumatua Wellbeing Day was heldin April at Owae Marae and promotedactivities such as dancing, waiata,raranga (weaving), Tai Chi, mirimiriOperations Centre at the TaranakiEmergency Management Office.Several organisations were representedin the various roles, including TDHBEmergency Management CoordinatorMike Broker as Health Liaison, andCommunications Advisor Krysti Wettonin the Public Information ManagementTeam.(massage), free health checks and theopportunity to have a free flu jab.More than 20 organisations, includingthe DHB, were represented on theday, providing information to raiseawareness of health, wellbeing andsafety issues.Mike found the day useful and says healthis now well recognised and integratedinto Taranaki’s Civil Defence EmergencyManagement planning, response andrecovery. “It was great to see continuedimprovement in the function of theEmergency Operations Centre as a resultof the ongoing training and exercises wehave been involved in.”The most interesting part of the dayfor Mike was seeing the New PlymouthDistrict Council’s geographic informationsystem for modelling the probable tsunamiwave surge inland along our coast. Itidentified high-risk areas and populations,allowing relevant warnings and resourcesto be focussed in the right places.Coming up in October will be anational tsunami exercise, involving allGovernment departments. Taranaki DHBwill take part in some capacity and Mikewill be in touch with the relevant peoplewith more details.14// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHE

LaboratoryCosts• Did you know that full blood count tests cost the DHB on average $42,725 amonth? That’s for 3712 tests.• For the 3804 urea tests taken on average each month the cost is $12,667.• It costs $26,586.00 for 3798 tests for electrolytes, and $5,064 for 1521 glucosetests.• To carry out 1509 liver function tests a month the cost is $32,066.Here are some more interesting figures, taken as an average over a month.Test Number Total CostCoag screen464 $9,242Troponin TCRPUrineBlood gasBlood group and holdBlood culture1161 $15,9172071 $13,399783 $13,624352 $7,634403 $6,443224 $6,435Taranaki Together, A Healthy Community PULSE //THE15

In BriefHealth Education ResourcesThe new catalogue of the Ministry of Health’s free health education resources is now available and has been distributedto TDHB departments and external organisations. To view and order MoH Health Education Resources online go to:;www.healthed.govt.nzThe resources are available to order from the Public Health Unit’s Resource Room at no charge. To order, visit theResource Room Public Health Unit or email resource.room@tdhb.org.nz. Along with the many Ministry of Healthresources the centre also stocks material from other organisations.An Essential DonationThe Taranaki Masonic Lodge’s Ladies Committee has donatedhundreds of toiletry packs for our patients over the last 10years. The committee members buy essential items such astoothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, pens and tissues and put theminto packs for patients who suddenly find themselves admittedto Base or Hawera hospitals.Hospital Operations Manager Steve Berendsen said the packswere much appreciated by patients. Pictured are committeemembers Rosemary Harvie, Lorraine Yateman and MargaretThompson with DHB staff Jenny Mackrell, Steve Berendsen,Raechel Goodhue, Janet Gibson and Sue Williamson.Dental Therapist RetiresThe School Dental Service recently celebrated the retirement ofDental Therapist Jacqui Wickham at the Nice Hotel.Photographed is Jacqui (centre) with colleagues LoisHarrop, from Stratford, and Sue Armstrong who came fromWhangamata for the occasion. Jacqui, Lois and Sue previouslyworked together at the Inglewood School Dental Clinic andwere known as the “Inglewood Trifecta”.ED Farewells FriendThe ED team gave Receptionist Michelle Ruakere a send offshe won’t forget in a hurry. Sad to see her going, they took herhostage in an attempt to persuade her to stay. Michelle is movingto Australia, after working at the DHB for 21 years.16// PULSETaranaki Whanui He Rohe OrangaTHEThe Pulse - Taranaki District Health BoardPrivate Bag 2016, New Plymouth 4342