COMMUNICATIONS

Media Releases from the Canterbury DHB - 2010

23/12/10
Call your general practice if you need health advice during the holiday break

Canterbury health providers are reminding the public to telephone their general practice in the first instance (unless it is an emergency) if they need health advice during the Christmas and New Year period.
 

23/12/10

Health Warning – Algal Bloom in Selwyn River

Canterbury health authorities have issued a warning after potentially toxic blue-green algae (benthic cyanobacteria) was found in the Selwyn River/Waikirikiri at Glentunnel camp site.
 

21/12/10
Canterbury primary care teams recognised for outstanding performance on the Immunisation Health Targets

Canterbury primary care teams have received special recognition from Health Minister Tony Ryall today (Tuesday, December 21, 2010) for their outstanding performance on the Immunisation Health Target.
 

15/12/10
Mothers wanted to attend Maternity Workshop

Listening to what parents and whānau feel about maternity services in the region will be the focus of a workshop the Canterbury District Health Board is planning for early next year.
 

14/12/10
Canterbury virologist Dr Lance Jennings receives double international recognition

World renowned clinical virologist Lance Jennings has received double international recognition for his life-time contribution to science relating to pathology.
 

13/12/10
Fresh Future cheque presentation

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB)’s Children’s Health division has gratefully received a cheque for $75,000 as their share of this year’s Fresh Future Appeal funds.
 

10/12/10
Health Warning – Algal Bloom in Ashley and Waipara Rivers

Canterbury health authorities have issued a warning after water surveys of the Ashley and Waipara Rivers this week found high levels of potentially toxic blue-green algae (benthic cyanobacteria).
 

9/12/10
Rangiora Hospital Open Afternoon

Rangiora Hospital’s open afternoon yesterday attracted mothers, fathers, grandparents and several curious locals from around north Canterbury.
 

6/12/10
Fresh Future funds being presented to Christchurch Hospital

Christchurch Hospital will receive a cheque from the Fresh Future Appeal on Friday 10 December as its share of the 2010 appeal funds.
 

3/12/10
Community and Public Health Warning Following Spike in Legionnaires Cases and Death of Elderly Woman

Gardeners are being warned to take care when handling potting mix and compost this summer with 10 cases of Legionnaires’ disease being notified last month.
 

2/12/10
Rangiora Hospital Open Afternoon

Rangiora Hospital is holding an open afternoon next week to promote its recently refurbished primary birthing unit – that’s been made possible thanks to Canterbury District Health Board and community funders.
 

1/12/10

Hillmorton Dental Clinic opens

Canterbury’s largest new community dental clinic was officially opened today (Wednesday 1 December) at Hillmorton.
 

1/12/10
From cooking skills to life – the Great Little Cookbook

A cookbook incorporating healthy budgeting and lifestyle advice as well as tasty, nutritious recipes was named winner of the inaugural People’s Choice Award at the Canterbury District Health Board’s Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards this month.
 

29/11/10
Largest  new community dental clinic opens

Canterbury’s largest new community dental clinic will be officially opened on Wednesday 1 December at Hillmorton. This clinic is part of a nationwide upgrade of oral health services for New Zealand communities.
 

26/11/10
Canterbury DHB Health Target Results Stunning – Chief Executive

Amid the impact of Canterbury’s September 4 earthquake on health staff and services, the Canterbury District Health Board (Canterbury DHB) has once again performed exceptionally against the national health targets.
 

24/11/10
Christchurch Hospital boilers to be replaced

Canterbury District Health Board has started replacing its aging boilers to help reduce emissions and provide better heating to its hospitals.
 

22/11/10
Canterbury DHB appointments announced

Today the Health Minister, Tony Ryall announced the appointment of Bruce Matheson as the new Chair of the Canterbury District Health Board, replacing Alister James.
 

18/11/10

Burwood spinal patients benefiting from new high-tech cycle

Patients at Burwood Hospital’s spinal unit are benefiting from a new high-tech cycle which not only helps them get fitter and stronger but also recover as much as possible from their injuries – thanks to the generosity of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union (NZRFU) Foundation Board.
 

17/11/10

Serious and Sentinel Events 2009/2010 - Making New Zealand Hospitals Safer

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) chief executive, David Meates says “the increase in serious and sentinel events reported at the CDHB from the 08/09 to the 09/10 year reflects the focus the organisation has on open disclosure and reporting processes.
 

16/11/10

Still not safe to go whitebaiting

Despite water quality in earthquake affected rivers and estuaries returning to  pre-earthquake levels, Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health says it is still not safe to go whitebaiting or swimming as contamination levels would still be dangerous to anyone who ingested the water.  This is particularly important as a component of this contamination is human (leaking from cracked sewers), rather than simply animal contamination.
 

15/11/10

CDHB and partners celebrate innovation at annual awards

A lifestyle programme that has benefited over 2,000 Canterbury women, a GAP year application for students that’s solving a skills shortage and a project that’s resulted in a 100% reduction in complaints were the winners in this year’s Canterbury District Health Board’s Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards.
 

10/11/10
South Island neurosurgery services

Commenting on the decision released today by the Acting Director-General of Health, Andrew Bridgman re the structure of the South Island neurosurgery services, Canterbury District Health Board chief executive, David Meates says, “we are pleased to see a focus on South Island neurosurgery and the commitment to longer term planning and investment which includes Canterbury.
 

26/10/10
Notice of Intended  Industrial Action

On 19 October, the day Canterbury experienced a 5.0 aftershock, the New Zealand Medical Laboratory Workers Union (NZMLWU) advised the Canterbury District Health Board that they will take industrial action from 8:00am November 3 to 8:00am November 9.
 

01/10/10
Medical Officer Advises Against Water Sports in Northern Part of Estuary

Following the latest water quality testing undertaken by Environment Canterbury, Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health division advises residents that no water sports should be undertaken at anytime in the northern part of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai north of the line from Sandy Point across to Plover Street at any time.
 

21/09/10

Walk to raise mental health awareness

People are being invited to take part in Walk 4 Wellbeing is an event planned for the last day of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (3-10 October).
 

21/09/10
New DVDs available for Children and their parents  going to Christchurch hospital

Children and their parents attending Christchurch Hospital now have an updated website to access information about what to expect during their treatment.
 

03/09/10

No Routine X-rays in CDHB Hospitals Next Tuesday

Routine X-ray services will not be available in CDHB hospitals from 7am on Tuesday 7 September until 7am on Wednesday 8 September due to industrial action by Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) belonging to the APEX union.
 

27/08/10
CDHB Performing Well on Health Targets

Improved Access to Elective Surgery is one of the areas in which Canterbury District Health Board has excelled in the 2009/10 End of Year Health Target results.
 

26/08/10
Hornby community dental clinic opens

A new community dental clinic opened in Hornby’s Hei Hei Road this week.
 

24/08/10
Changes to Christchurch Hospital increase number of beds

A new Urology Unit at the Christchurch Hospital campus was officially opened today. The unit is one of the solutions in addressing a shortage of General Medicine beds at Christchurch Hospital.
 

19/08/10
Canterbury Activates 2010 Flu Strategy

The Canterbury health system is activating its 2010 influenza strategy following a rapid rise in the number of cases of Pandemic Influenza H1N1 (swine flu) in Canterbury in the last three weeks.
 

18/08/10
Dismissed off-licence appeal seen as trigger for alcohol action

The recent High Court decision to dismiss Victoria Night ‘n’ Day’s appeal to have its off-licence renewed is being celebrated by Healthy Christchurch Champions. It’s also being seen as a trigger for Cantabrians to more strongly voice their concerns around alcohol harm to central government.
 

16/08/10
Watchhouse funding approved

Experienced mental health nurses from the Canterbury District Health Board will continue to work at Christchurch Central Police station’s watchhouse for a further two years following funding approval from the Ministry of Health.
 

09/08/10
Christchurch woman with H1N1 swine flu dies

Last night, a 44 year old Christchurch woman, who tested positive for H1N1 pandemic influenza (swine flu), sadly died in Christchurch Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
 

05/08/10
Fresh Future Appeal 2010 Launched At Christchurch Hospital

Staff from Progressive Enterprises handed out gift bags, sang and played guitar to children in one of Christchurch Hospital’s Paediatric Wards today.
 

04/08/10

Call Your General Practice Early if You Have Flu – Canterbury doctors

With Swine H1N1 Influenza now present in the Canterbury community, local doctors are urging people who think they may have the flu to call their General Practice promptly, so that antiviral medicines can be prescribed if necessary.
 

27/07/10
Fresh Future Appeal Launch

Kids in hospital will benefit from the 4th Fresh Future Appeal which is being launched next week.
 

09/07/10
Canterbury Doctors Encourage Flu Vaccination

Canterbury doctors are urging all Canterbury people who are at risk of complications from influenza to have a vaccination, following the identification of swine flu in 10 people in South Canterbury and four in the Canterbury town of Rakaia.
 

02/07/10
Canterbury Newborn Hearing Screening Extended To Rural Areas

More babies born in or transferred to rural areas are now able to have their hearing screened in the region in which they live.
 

17/06/10
Men Encouraged To Get Regular Health Checks

Rolleston man Robert Webb is grateful that high cholesterol was picked up at his regular health check.
 

09/06/10

New CDHB Premises Opened in St Asaph Street

Around 40 staff who work in the CDHB Social
Work Services team, Child Protection Service
and Child and Youth Mortality Review Group
have moved to new premises.

 

02/06/10

Community Agencies Selected to Support Mental Health Consumers

Canterbury District Health Board is delighted to announce that Comcare Trust and Step Ahead Trust have been selected to provide Employment Support and Activity Services for people experiencing mental health issues.
 
31/05/10
Keep Emergency Department for emergencies

A combination of seasonal illness and wintry weather has led to the Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital becoming extremely busy during the past week.
 

28/05/10
Focus on ABC Cessation programme for World Smokefree Day

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is supporting World Smokefree Day on 31 May by further reinforcing the ABC Cessation programme which is already being implemented by its staff.
 

27/05/10
Canterbury Mental Health Services Go Fully Smokefree

From Thursday 1 July 2010, Canterbury District Health Board’s Specialist Mental Health Services, including all inpatient and outpatient units, will become completely smokefree.
 

26/05/10
CDHB funds alternative providers of women’s mental health respite services

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) understands the importance of women’s only mental health respite services and has been working with providers to ensure this type of service continues to be available, following the sudden announcement that Newell House is closing on 28 May.
 

23/05/10

Statement from Duncan and Emma Woods

Duncan and Emma Woods would like to pay
tribute to their four year old son Nayan, who
tragically died after being hit by a car on
Linwood Avenue, Christchurch late Friday
afternoon.

 

05/05/10

Canterbury Midwives Celebrate International Midwives Day

Canterbury midwives are joining their colleagues
 in New Zealand and around the world today to
celebrate International Midwives Day.
 

30/04/10

Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment Consultation To End Next Week

A public consultation on the proposed Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment will end on Tuesday 4 May – and Canterbury people are encouraged to have their say before then.
 

30/04/10

Health warning regarding cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom in Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere removed

Medical Officer of Health Dr Ramon Pink has removed a health warning regarding Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere because concentrations of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have decreased.
 

27/04/10

CDHB to Provide Chief Executive Services to the West Coast

Collaboration between the West Coast and Canterbury District Health Boards has moved a step closer with an agreement between both organisations to share a Chief Executive from 1 July.
 

23/04/10

Alcohol and Christchurch: The ripple effects

Christchurch organisations who deal with alcohol related issues will next week meet with local Members of Parliament and other interested parties to discuss the impact alcohol is having on their staff and services. 
 

21/04/10 Kaiapoi and Rangiora community dental clinics open

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) opened new community dental clinics in Kaiapoi and Rangiora today (21 April).
 

15/04/10 Healthy Christchurch Champions support call to lower blood alcohol consumption limit

The response comes in light of the release last month of the Ministry of Transport’s Safer Journey’s strategy, to improve safety on New Zealand roads. Included in the strategy is a proposition to lower the blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) in adults from 80 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood (0.08) to 50mg per 100ml (0.05).
 

15/04/10

Sharing test results for better patient care

A new Canterbury District Health Board initiative to make laboratory test results more readily available to doctors and nurses will lead to improved clinical care for patients.
 

09/04/10

CDHB Surprised by Newell House Announcement

Canterbury District Health Board was notified today that Newell House Trust will be closing on 28 May 2010.
 

31/03/10

Consultation on Redevelopment of Christchurch Hospital Begins

The Canterbury District Health Board and Christchurch City Council have begun a joint consultation which gives Canterbury people the chance to give their views on the proposed Christchurch Hospital Redevelopment.
 

25/03/10

Incorrect Information About CDHB Services in Today’s The Press

Incorrect information published by The Press today is very concerning, according to Dr Alfred Dell’Ario, Clinical Director of the South Island Eating Disorders Service.
 

17/03/10

CDHB Statement re South Island Eating Disorders Service

South Island Eating Disorders Service patients and their families can be confident that the Service will continue to provide a high standard of clinical care despite the recent resignation of the Service’s Clinical Head.
 

15/03/10

Changes to Canterbury AOD Services Designed to Improve Access

Canterbury District Health Board says its new Alcohol and Drug framework will not exclude people involved in the justice system from specialist addiction treatment as was suggested in today’s The Press (15.3.10).
 

15/03/10

Volunteers aged 35-60 years wanted for new exercise research study

Researchers are hoping to recruit overweight people aged 35-60 who are not currently exercising for a new study that will look at the best walking-based ‘exercise prescription’ to motivate them to participate in physical activity.
 

12/03/10
CDHB Perspective on Closure of 198 Youth Health Centre
 
Canterbury District Health Board would like to make it clear that it had been working for some time with the 198 Youth Health Trust to assist it to continue providing services to young people in Christchurch.
 
12/03/10 New Report Gives Snapshot of Maori Health in Canterbury

A new report provides the first comprehensive picture into the health of Maori in Canterbury and will be used by the Canterbury District Health Board in its future health services planning.
 

10/03/10
Medical Officer of Health thanks Gardening Industry for their Help in Raising Awareness of Legionnaires' Disease
 
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey is praising the gardening industry for its help in raising awareness of the health risks associated with not taking appropriate precautions when handling potting mix.
 
10/03/10
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Canterbury
 
Parents are being reminded to prevent their children from swimming in public swimming pools within two weeks of having diarrhoea following an outbreak of cryptosporidium, a parasite which causes severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
 
10/03/10
People at Risk of Swine Flu Complications urged to have Free Vaccination this Month
 
Pregnant women, very overweight people, children aged under five (on the advice of their doctor) and people with long term medical conditions are urged to have a free seasonal influenza vaccination, which includes protection against pandemic influenza (swine flu), this month.  This is because these groups of people are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with pandemic influenza.
 
08/03/10
Child Health Services
 
South Island Children's Health Service representatives have come together to ensure services are available to children in the future, wherever they live in South Island.
 
03/03/10
ChCh Women’s Breastfeeding Support For Mothers and Babies Recognised

Christchurch Women’s Hospital has passed a “rigorous assessment” and been re-accredited as a Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) hospital for the third time – a first for a New Zealand tertiary hospital.
 

23/02/10
Health Warning re Cynobacteria at Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere

Increased concentrations of cynobacteria (blue-green algae) and potential associated toxins are making Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere unsafe for drinking or recreational use.
 

19/02/10
New Technology Reduces Treatment Times

A new machine at Christchurch Hospital’s Oncology Service will reduce treatment times for gynaecological cancers to 10 minutes and patients can again be treated in the South Island.
 

17/02/10
Road Closure at Hospital Site

A section of internal road in front of Christchurch Women’s Hospital will be closed from Monday 22 February until June 2010 to allow for construction of the extension to the second and third floors of the Hospital.  This will be similar to the road closure during the construction of the Christchurch Women’s building.
 

05/02/10
Canterbury Well Equipped With Cancer Services

Canterbury District Health Board would like to thoroughly reassure the public that there is not a crisis looming in cancer treatment in Canterbury (The Press Friday 5 February). 
 

03/02/10
Australian Health Expert Speaks to Healthy Christchurch Champions

Promoting a safer drinking culture in Christchurch will be the focus of this morning’s (Wednesday 3 February) meeting between the Healthy Christchurch Champions* and visiting Australian Professor Rob Moodie.
 

02/02/10

Teddies galore for child surgery patients

More than 500 teddy bears will arrive at Christchurch Hospital this week to be given to young children who will are about to receive surgery.
 

25/1/10

Shellfish Collecting Ban Lifted in Pegasus Bay

Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health division has today lifted the ban on collecting and eating shellfish from Pegasus Bay, the area of coast between Pigeon Bay and Leithfield Beach.
 

22/1/10
Burwood Birthing Unit Reopens

Burwood Hospital’s Birthing Unit will reopen on Monday (January 25) after it was closed for two weeks so that the bathrooms could be upgraded.
 

19/1/10
Canterbury breastfeeding mums encouraged to enter photo competition
 
Canterbury mums are being encouraged to make breastfeeding part of the scenery this summer. In a new competition, mums can submit a photo or photos of themselves breastfeeding outside the home.
 
   

 

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