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December 2015

Checkup Bay of Plenty District Health Board staff news

Healthy eating this Christmas – page 8

Staff Christmas Lunch photos – page 14

Enjoying Mauao vistas Page 7

Welcome to the Healthy Living Special – page 4

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By Chief Financial Officer and General Manager Corporate Services, Letham White .

Welcome to the final Checkup of 2015. I can’t quite believe this year is nearly over, I must be getting to (or past) the age where you start to wonder where the time goes.It has been a rewarding but tough year. I have been proud of the way that the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) has continued to deliver a good quality service in the face of unprecedented demand. Achieving this is only possible with a committed workforce which deserves to be supported by a proactive approach to facilitating healthy living from their employer.

I’ve been involved with the Tauranga Hospital Staff Wellness Centre (SWEAT) since joining the BOPDHB in late 2008. During 2015 I have been fortunate enough to join the BOPDHB’s Healthy Living Team; a group of like-minded individuals committed to providing opportunities for our staff and communities to make healthy choices in everyday life. In this issue of Checkup we focus on healthy living at the BOPDHB, which is an appropriate theme as we move into Christmas with its potential for over indulgence quickly followed by perfunctory deliberations over New Years’ resolutions.

The BOPDHB’s Healthy Living wellness offerings are a feature in this issue of Checkup which includes alternative healthy recipes to consider for Christmas Day and more information on SWEAT; its history and the exciting expansion into Whakatāne. SWEAT forms an important part of the BOPDHB’s Healthy Living programme which also includes free Health Clinics, Financial Health Seminars, Mindfulness Training, access to the Employee Assistance Programme and other valuable services.

The Healthy Living Team has had a very active year (pardon the pun) and notable achievements include:

• the commitment to the introduction of dedicated breast feeding facilities for staff on both main hospital sites together with a new policy

• the removal of sugar-sweetened drinks from BOPDHB premises and introduction of more healthy food options under the umbrella of a nutrition policy

• the convening of a successful Kai Hui, attended by over 90 people from the Tauranga area - planting a seed for collaboration between local government, health workers and the community around food.

In 2016, we will continue to offer opportunities for staff and patients to maintain and improve their personal wellness through the Healthy Living programme. We plan to establish two new groups to join the programme - a Sustainability Group and a Workplace Physical Activity Group – so watch this space!

Overview Farewell from PhilBy BOPDHB CEO Phil Cammish.

They say there comes a time when you know that it is time to hand over the reins to the next leader and gently glide off into the sunset.That time came this year when I reflected on it being 10 years this coming January since I joined the DHB.

Much has changed with new buildings and services on the hospital campuses and new ways of working in tandem with the primary and community sector.

I’m often asked what will I be most proud of and what will I miss the most.

The answer is simple it is “he tangata, he tangata, he tangata” it is “the people, the people, the people”. We started on a journey 10 years ago to make this a great place for people to work and learn and one where the people of the Bay of Plenty could have confidence that they would receive compassionate and responsive care.

The journey isn’t complete but I think we are past the point of no return and it is a platform that the new CEO, can confidently build upon.

So for me at the end of January it will be “au revoir” and “auf wiedersehen” (until I see you again rather than goodbye). It will be time for me to get a little practice at getting up later and relaxing at home – although I understand my wife has a list of jobs to keep me busy.

Kia kaha and take CARE

Hello HelenSoon after Phil’s resignation as Chief Executive, the important process to find his replacement started. At the beginning of December 2015 the Bay of Plenty District Health Board Chair, Sally Webb announced that Helen Mason would be taking up the helm on Tuesday 2 February 2016.

"Helen brings with her not only strong knowledge and experience with the BOPDHB, but also her recent experience as a Harkness Fellow where she had the opportunity to expand her skill set internationally.

"Helen is no stranger to the BOPDHB having been with us for 17 years working in a number of roles, most recently as the General Manager Innovation and Special Projects and formerly as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Planning and Funding.

"The Board is excited about the future of health in the Bay of Plenty with Helen leading an executive team and staff of experienced and dedicated people. The Bay of Plenty District Health Board is well positioned to lead health developments, not only in the Bay of Plenty but also nationally," said Sally.

Dr. Gilling is known for pioneering work with Holmium Laser Prostatectomy for which he was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine by the University of Otago in 2010, and for his research involving new technologies for BPH. He was awarded the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Surgical Research Award for 2015 in recognition of his international standing as a surgeon scientist. Most recently Dr Gilling received a prestigious award from the Society of International Urology; the 2015 Distinguished Career Award which was presented to him at the international conference in Melbourne in October 2015.

Associate Professor Peter Gilling Distinguished Career Award

Dr Peter Gilling at the award ceremony in Melbourne recently. He received the 2015 Distinguished Career Award from the Society of International Urology.

By Bay of Plenty Clinical School, Clinical Trials Unit Research Assistant, Linda Pattison.

In 2015 Tauranga Hospital had 15 students in the Year Six cohort. All 15 of the University of Auckland students received their Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) on 16 November 2015. Cayley Ingham received a special mention and was awarded distinction.

A Qualified SuccessAssociate Professor Peter Gilling, Head of the Bay of Plenty Clinical School, attended the Qualifying Ceremony in Auckland and was among the first to congratulate our Tauranga cohort.

The students have spoken warmly about their time in Tauranga, and so many of them wanted to come back that there are eight of them currently employed as new House Officers; six in Tauranga and two in Whakatāne.

Auckland University Students from left to right: Jessica Trollip, Laura Cosgrave, Cayley Ingham, Kaitlin Greenway, Caitlin Bodian, Ella Aspell, Leonie Alley (Placement Co-ordinator), Cameron Bell and Asti Grard

Auckland University Students not present for the photo: Ezra Nordstrom, Jordan Mann, Andrew Lane, Susanne Dykgraaf, Rachael Bentall, Nicholas Dalkie and Aidan Ward

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The BOPDHB provides a number of Healthy Living programmes for you to access to help you maintain this dynamic balance.

By Employee Health and Safety Service Manager, Ted Harper.

Healthy Living is all about life balance. This balance is between four main aspects of your life.1. Enjoying your work and being at work2. Financial management3. Leisure time 4. General Health – Physical and Mental wellbeing

A major part of your life is spent at work therefore enjoying the work you do and finding this meaningful along with enjoying being at work is vital if you want to be healthy.

Financial management is a real challenge for most of us and if this is not managed well it can create major stressors in your life. So, it’s really important you understand how to budget the money you earn in a responsible manner so you can provide for what is needed and still be able to work toward saving goals for the important purchases including a home, cars, travel and becoming financially independent.

Leisure time is also important for your health. This is the time you spend doing those things you find enjoyable away from work including time for yourself, family and friends, and time for sports recreation and hobbies.

Welcome to the Healthy Living Special

All three aspects covered are all dependent on you being healthy. When you become sick you can’t work or earn money nor can you enjoy your

leisure time. But what a lot of people don’t realise is that the three aspects covered above are vital for being healthy so all four aspects are therefore totally interdependent. You cannot have one of the aspects without the support of the other three. Hence, there is a dynamic balance between all four aspects for a person to be holistically healthy.

The BOPDHB provides a number of Healthy Living programmes for you to access to help you maintain this dynamic balance. This month’s Checkup is devoted to providing information on all of these programmes and how you can access them on OnePlace.

Enjoy reading about all the programmes provided and check out the OnePlace pages devoted entirely to keeping your life in balance and ensuring you are both physically and mentally healthy.

If you haven’t already started accessing and using these programmes please do - they are there just for you!!

M

H

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MeaningfulWork

Healthy &Free from Harm

Life Balance

AdequateIncome

Leisure &Family Time

Introducing the Healthy Living TeamBy Employee Health and Safety Service Manager, Ted Harper.The Healthy Living Team's vision is aligned to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s (BOPDHB’s) vision; to have Healthy Thriving Communities. Areas covered under the Healthy Living programme include nutrition, breastfeeding, physical activity, mental wellbeing, smokefree, sun safety, alcohol and communicable disease. Read on to learn more about the team and their efforts in each of these areas.

Members of the Healthy Living Team • Ted Harper – Employee Health and Safety Manager (WorkWell

Leader/Chair)• Letham White – Chief Financial Officer• Kate McCarthy – Communications Advisor• Karen Cruikshank – Senior Health Improvement Advisor

(Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service and WorkWell Advisor)• Mel Arnold - Health Improvement Advisor (Toi Te Ora - Public

Health Service)• Karyn Borman – Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator • Jude Ebbett – Careers Advisor• Lucy van der Linden – Employee Health and Safety

Specialty Nurse• Karen Palmer – Senior Lactation Consultant• Chris Angus – Manager Mental Health Advisor, TBC• Marcus Vercoe – SWEAT Gym owner/manager

Healthy Living SubgroupsDue to the scope and technical expertise required in of many of the health and wellbeing areas, separate subgroups have been established to help develop, implement, co-ordinate, and monitor specific initiatives within these areas.

Nutrition Group• Ted Harper – Employee Health and Safety Manger • Lucy van der Linden – Employee Health and Safety

Specialty Nurse • Phil Shoemack – Medical Officer of Health• Mel Arnold – Health Improvement Advisor (Toi Te Ora – Public

Health Service)• Sue Dean – Dietician Team Leader• Rudi Johnson – Principal Dental Officer• Greg Oliver – Area Manager – Medirest (Food Service)• Beverly Middendorf – Contracts Manger

Breastfeeding Group• Ted Harper – Employee Health and Safety Manger • Karen Palmer – Senior Lactation Consultant• Angela Wadsworth – HR Advisor• Mel Arnold – Health Improvement Advisor (Toi Te Ora – Public

Health Service)• Lucy van der Linden – Employee Health and Safety

Specialty Nurse • Carol Bramley – Social Worker• Sharon Taylor – TBC

Groups to be set up in the New Year:• Physical Activity Group • Communicable Disease / Immunisation Group

Call it quits!By Smoking Cessation Co-ordinator, Karyn Borman.

October 2015 marked the second year of the national ‘Stoptober’ campaign, encouraging people who smoke to remain smokefree for the 31 days of October. A number of communications were sent out to remind staff of the campaign and during that time I received enquiries from six Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) staff wanting to make changes to their smoking. Since only a small percentage of people tend to take up the offer of support it is likely that many more have either participated in the Stoptober challenge or have encouraged their friends, family or clients to do so.

Since I started the smoking cessation role in October 2014, a total of 17 staff have been in touch wanting help regarding stopping smoking. Some staff members just want a Quit Card

for nicotine replacement therapy, some want to try Champix and others are looking for help for family members who smoke. It is not uncommon for someone to start out keen to quit and lose motivation along the way. Having worked in smoking cessation for many years I am quite used to this and the main thing that I want people to know is that support is always there if someone decides that they want to try again.

Something else that I would like all staff to know is that accepting ongoing support really does make a difference to quit success. Going ‘cold turkey’ has about a 5% success rate; using Nicotine Replacement Therapy, Champix or another stop smoking medication has about a 10-15% chance of success, whereas combining any of these products with follow up support has a success rate of around 30%. What these figures also show is that no matter how much support someone has, it can still take several attempts to successfully stop. It can help to think of each unsuccessful attempt as a ‘practice run’ and be prepared to keep trying.

So why is stopping smoking so difficult? Tobacco addiction can be broken down into three categories; physical, habitual and emotional. Physical addiction leads to withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, irritability and restlessness. Stop smoking medications, such as nicotine replacement therapy, are designed to ease these symptoms. Smoking habits strengthen over time and common habits include having a cigarette with a coffee, after meals, while driving or while on the phone. One of the main things that ongoing support can do is to help someone plan ahead so that they don’t get caught out when an old habit pops up to tempt them to smoke. The emotional aspect is probably the most tricky, as it can be harder to recognise and to plan for. Emotions that are commonly linked to smoking include stress, boredom, relaxation, socialising and celebration. Part of stopping smoking successfully is learning how to manage these emotions in other ways. Many people who successfully stop smoking find that the new strategies that they have learned are much better at managing their emotions than smoking ever was (and much cheaper too!).

There are many things that people can do to make stopping smoking easier. If you would like advice or support for stopping smoking for yourself, a family member, or to better support patients and clients who smoke, you can contact Karyn at smokefree@bopdhb.ogvt.nz or on x 8476.

Accepting ongoing support really does make a difference to quit success.

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By Career and Development Advisor, Jude Ebbett.

Engagement with our work and our sense of purpose in working, contributes to an overall sense of wellbeing and to good health. Misalignment of career goals and values, disengagement and a loss of purpose all contribute to creating stress within an individual. When what we do is aligned with our values, meaning is created. Meaningful work supports our overall wellbeing.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) staff are encouraged to reflect on their career as part of ongoing development. The BOPDHB offers a service to support this reflection which is free, confidential and personalised.

The Career Development Service is available to all staff by self-selection or recommendation. Staff who have accessed the service found it to be supportive in a variety of situations including when making decisions about career development opportunities, re-engagement with their current role, Curriculum Vitae review and interview coaching. A consequence

Work in Life and Life in Work

A consequence of this service often involves re-framing, re-engagement and re-assessment for individuals.

Working in a large organisation, especially in healthcare, can be challenging and stressful so it’s important for the carers to be cared for.

of this service often involves re-framing, re-engagement and re-assessment for individuals. Clients report a shift in perception and identify ways to move forward, which in turn reduces the sense of disempowerment and increases the sense of wellbeing.

As career development is a continuing process many staff have benefitted from access to the service on a periodic ongoing basis. If you are ready to give yourself the gift of reflection, the supported time and space to examine where you are now and where you want to be, simply contact me to make an appointment:– jude.ebbett@bopdhb.govt .nz or ring ext 8870.

Possible gains for you include:• Self/context understanding• Identification of strengths and preferences• Work/learning exploration/alignment• Identification of themes/meaning/combinations• Work/personal/relationship balance• Decision-making• Goal setting• Action planning• Specific opportunities information/research• Self-marketing techniques• Progress review

Employee Health and Safety Speciality Clinical Nurse, Cathy Haxell outside the Health Living Clinic on Tauranga Hospital campus.

By Employee Health and Safety Speciality Clinical Nurse, Cathy Haxell

Confidential ‘Health WOF’ checks are being offered by nurses Cathy Haxell and Liz Necklen in Tauranga and Janine Barr in Whakatāne.The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has always offered this service but in Tauranga it has become more regular and a clinic room has been set up away from the main hospital building. The location initially proved difficult to find for some staff but with orienteering hats on and a sense of adventure this challenge has been overcome. The feedback is positive with staff saying they like the clinic’s location in a quiet, less busy area in the hospital grounds.

Appointments for a ‘Health WOF’ check at Healthy Living clinics in Tauranga are available most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays but can be arranged at days and times to suit. Already the service is being utilised by staff from all areas and we encourage everyone to take advantage of this service.

In Whakatāne health checks are offered weekly but the days of the week vary. The clinics are advertised each week on OnePlace or you can contact Janine Barr directly to arrange an appointment on ext 4711.

Free Health WOF ChecksWorking in a large organisation, especially in healthcare, can be challenging and stressful so it’s important for the carers to be cared for. The clinics are a support service for hospital employees. While they are entirely confidential, I encourage attendees to consent for their ‘Health WOF’ check results to be sent through to their GP practices. It is important that the GP (as the Health Provider) is kept up-to-date and that services are not duplicated.

The emphasis today in primary care is to encourage healthy living so this, and what this means to an individual, is discussed. We stress the importance of having balance in our lives; not just by making healthy eating choices but ensuring psychological well-being as well.

Feel free to email: HealthyLiving.Clinic@bopdhb.govt.nz or phone with any queries and to make appointments.

(In Tauranga the Healthy Living clinic is located in Building 58 next to the Renal Unit…take back door of main hospital and follow the path to Property Services. We are off to the left and are signposted.)

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After we’ve addressed our own food and beverage environment at the BOPDHB, we’ll be working alongside the community to support it to adopt healthier environments too.

Walking GroupThis is a recent initiative and everyone is welcome to come along, including partners, family and friends. Walkers meet at Pilot Bay at 1730 on Thursdays and decide at this point whether they wish to go up Mount Maunganui or around it. There is no minimum fitness level required; wearing Lycra is not encouraged and there is no regular commitment…just an enthusiasm for getting active. New staff are especially welcome.

Email the Healthy Living Clinic in Tauranga Hospital for further details. HealthyLiving.Clinic@bopdhb.govt.nz

…and more on VaccinationsThe best way to protect our patients is to vaccinate ourselves.

As part of the Employee Health and Safety Service, staff are offered a number of free vaccinations. The main one is the annual Influenza vaccination which is usually offered in March/April when it first arrives in the country.

For most of us the thought of needles isn’t pleasant (some of us might be good at giving them but receiving them is another story!) However, as healthcare workers, we have a duty of care to protect our patients and those vulnerable to the complications of influenza illness. Robust science tells us that immunisation is the most effective protection we have in preventing the spread of disease.

Other vaccinations available to staff all year round are: Hepatitis B, Boostrix (whooping cough, tetanus, diptheria), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), Hepatitis A (to a specified group of staff) and Zostavax(shingles) which is not free but price reduced.

For all enquiries about any of these vaccinations and if you are based in Tauranga please call Cathy or Liz on 027 705 9353 or email the Healthy Living Clinic: HealthyLiving.Clinic@bopdhb.govt.nz. If you are based at Whakatāne please contact Janine on 07 306 0711 or email janine.barr@bopdhb.govt.nz.

Last year we had 71% staff coverage for the Influenza campaign which was a big improvement from 64% in 2014. Let’s see if we can do even better this coming year.

Sweet AsBy Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service Health Improvement Advisor, Mel Arnold.

You may have started to notice healthier food and drink more available around the place. It only makes sense that a health organisation – with a primary focus on promoting health – would have an environment that makes the healthy choice the easy choice. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. The Healthy Living Nutrition Team has been very busy of late working on a plan, to make healthy foods and beverages more accessible, not only for staff and visitors at the Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB), but in the community (it’s a very big plan!).

We started with the beverages. Any beverage that contains added sugar has been phased out and you would have noticed an increase in availability of water, plain milk, and no-added-sugar fruit juice. The next step is to address packaged foods.

Don’t worry! There will still be some ‘occasional’ or what you might refer to as ‘treat foods’ available, however they may be available in lesser quantities and portions. The good news is you’ll see an increase in healthier packaged food items. That’s all there is time for this year. Next year we will look at recipes and meals and see what we can do to make them healthier. So we’re not setting out to remove your good old favourites, which may happen to be laden with fat, salt and sugar but we will look into what we can do to tweak a few things to reduce the fat, salt and sugar.

After we’ve addressed our own food and beverage environment at the BOPDHB, we’ll be working alongside the community to support it to adopt healthier environments too. Much of this work has already, and is already happening. Many local workplaces and organisations have already started on their healthy eating journey by making positive healthy changes to their food and beverage environments.

If you have any questions about the food and beverage environment at the BOPDHB, check out the Nutrition pages on OnePlace under Healthy Living –or email the team at: healthylivingteam@bopdhb.govt.nz

Employee Health and Safety Service Specialty Nurse Cathy Haxell explains the Boostrix vaccine benefits to Tauranga Hospital RMO Sam Toner, one week before he became a father for the first time.

Enjoying Mauao vistas from left to right are BOPDHB Health Living staff Lucy van der Linden, Cathy Haxell and friend Jennie Fredrickson.

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Healthy eating this ChristmasBy Community Dental Services Oral Health Promoter, Stephen Cameron.

Christmas fare doesn’t always have to be rich and calorie ridden. Here are some alternative healthy options that are not only nutritious but also delicious as tested out by the Communications Team (dessert only). The following recipes have been designed by Stephen Cameron and Sharon McKoy-Thomas of the Dental Team.

Grilled Salmon and Avocado SalsaThere are two ways to prepare this salmon dish. You can grill the salmon as a whole side then serve as a side of salmon on a platter with the salsa in a side bowl. Or you can grill the salmon as portion pieces that are cut to size first, plate the pieces and then dress with salsa.

Ingredients – Salmon Salmon – 100 grams each personKikkoman’s low salt soya sauce – 2 tablespoons each person Honey – 1 teaspoon each person

Method – Salmon 1. Place the salmon on the chopping board and run your hand

over the salmon across the grain, this will expose the salmon pin bones.

2. Run the back of your knife across the pin bones lifting them up.3. Remove the salmon pin bones with clean and sterilized

tweezers. 4. Place the salmon on a tray and rub in Kikkoman soya sauce.5. Rub the honey into the salmon and marinate in the fridge for

no more than twenty minutes.6. Place the salmon on grill tray.7. Grill the salmon in the middle of the oven for eight to ten

minutes until just cooked, watching the salmon does not burn. 8. When grilled salmon is golden brown remove from oven.9. If not eating salmon after cooking, cool to room temperature,

refrigerate until you are ready to prepare and eat.

Ingredients & Method – Salsa for 5 servings

Place into a bowl:

Avocado – 1 dicedRed onion – 1 dicedCapsicum – 1 dicedTomato – 1 dicedCucumber (optional) – ½ cup with seeds scoped out

& and then dicedMint or parsley – 2 tablespoon chopped

Dressing for Salsa Dress with:

Lime or lemon juice – 4 tablespoonsSweet chili sauce – 1 level tablespoon only (optional) Mustard – 1 tablespoonGood NZ olive oil – 3 tablespoons

Then gently mix dressing with everything well, taking care not to mash avocado up too much.

Plating up 1. Place cos lettuce leaves on centre of your plate. 2. Place your salmon on top and then some salsa on top of the

salmon.

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Christmas Icecream Cake This recipe has the option of being dairy-free; nut free and most definitely is a refined sugar-free dessert option. If made the day before it takes the pressure off the Big Day.

Contributed by Dental Services Manager, Sharon McKoy-Thomas

Ingredients for Icecream Cake – Base

Shredded coconut – 3/4 cupMedjool dates – 7Macadamia nuts or sunflower seeds – 1/3 cupMelted butter or coconut oil – 1/4 cup

Method for - Base1. Grease and line the bottom and sides of a 20cm spring form

cake tin with baking paper.2. Place Base ingredients in food processor and blitz until well

combined and the mix forms a slightly sticky dough. 3. Press the mix into the prepared cake tin and place in the

freezer while you make the filling.

Ingredients for - FillingMixed berries frozen – 500 gramsMaple syrup (pure) – 3 TablespoonsCream or coconut cream – 3 cupsEgg whites – 2

Method for - Filling 1. Place the frozen berries in food processor and blitz until

crumbly.2. Add the maple syrup and cream or coconut cream and

continue to blitz until the mix is the consistency of ice cream.3. Add the egg whites and continue to blitz for 1-2 minutes more.

The mix will become light and fluffy.4. Spoon the mix on top of the base and roughly smooth out the

top. Return to the freezer and leave overnight.

Plating up for Christmas Day 1. Ten minutes before serving the sweet remove from the freezer

and stand at room temperature to slightly thaw. 2. Slice a portion, place on to plate and garnish with the season’s

fresh berries and a sprig of mint.

Vegetable Stuffing for Roast MeatsThis recipe makes the most flavoursome stuffing. Add healthy, tasty vegetables to your bread stuffing, bringing flavour into your roast meats with tasty vegetables and zingy fresh herbs. This stuffing is great for that Christmas roast turkey, chicken, lamb leg, or rolled pork.

Ingredients – Stuffing

Oil – 3 tablespoonsOnion – 1 large diced Garlic – 5 fresh cloves crushed or chopped Bread – 5 slices wholegrain crumbed Carrot grated – ½ cupKumara grated – ½ cupPumpkin grated – ½ cupCourgette grated – ½ cup Salt & pepper – good pinch (optional)A selection of mixed fresh herbs – 8 tablespoons If using dried herbs instead of a selection of fresh herbs –

1 tablespoon dried mixed herbs onlyEgg – 1

Method – Stuffing 1. Grate the vegetables; chop the onions, garlic and herbs. Then

crumb the 5 slices of bread. 2. Cook the onions and garlic with the 3 tablespoons of oil in

a saucepan at medium heat, until transparent, for about 4 minutes. Or you can cook the same ingredients in the microwave until transparent for about 2 minutes.

3. Then remove from heat.4. Add all the grated vegetables and crumbed bread. 5. Add 1 egg and mix well. 6. Add the stuffing into the cavity of the meat.7. Place about 30 cm of grease proof paper on the bench.8. Then place all the leftover stuffing mix into a sausage shape

along the greaseproof paper.9. Roll the mix in the paper, screw the ends so the roll is nice and

tight.10. Place the stuffing roll in the oven roasting tray for the last 60

minutes of cooking the meal.

Plating up 1. Portion the roast meat and place on a platter or plates with the

stuffing next to the meat.2. Unwrap the rolled stuffing and slice the mix into thin rounds

and place on platter or plates. 3. Place your selection of vegetables next to the beautiful tasty

roast meat and finish with a tasty gravy made with the roast pan juices.

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Staff Wellness Exercise and Training – SWEATBy Staff Wellness Exercise and Training Manager, Marcus Vercoe.

SWEAT staff wellness centres are now located onsite at Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals. Funded entirely by a modest weekly membership fee, Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) staff can now register with SWEAT and attend a variety of programmes and services to help improve and maintain their health and fitness.SWEAT originally began as an addition to the Tauranga Hospital staff social club (Band Aid). Much hard work (voluntary) went into the initial set-up of the gym facility. After generating $19,000 through fundraising, to contribute towards purchasing of equipment and fit-out, the only thing left to do was decide on a name for the new gym. The committee decided a staff competition would be the best option, and the only rule was that the name had to include the word ‘Wellness’. After all entries were received a final decision was made to name the Tauranga Hospital Staff Wellness Centre ‘SWEAT’ – Staff Wellness Exercise and Training.

In 2013 a new management contract was put in place between SWEAT and Wellness Systems Group Limited (WSG). This contract effectively outsourced the management of SWEAT to accommodate the expected growth and development required to maintain and sustain it. A combined investment from SWEAT and WSG contributed to a complete refit, including a building facelift and upgrade of exercise equipment which transformed SWEAT into the state-of-the-art facility that members now enjoy bragging about!

It was always a long-term ambition to establish a second SWEAT facility in Whakatāne and the closure of the Whakatāne

Hospital Laundry in 2015 provided a perfect opportunity to do this. An initial foundation membership of 200 Whakatāne-based DHB staff demonstrates a demand for the service at a level that is sustainable and will allow for future developments. Programmes and services now have members attending daily- timetabled group fitness classes, participating in annual challenges and community events, and providing a positive contribution to the workplace.

The aim of SWEAT still continues from the outset – “To provide an affordable health and fitness facility for all BOPDHB staff, and to pursue the promise of delivering guaranteed value and great service to its members in a social setting” - a simple formula with a proven track record.

Programmes and services now have members attending daily- timetabled group fitness classes, participating in annual challenges and community events, and providing a positive contribution to the workplace.

We learnt mindfulness meditations: breath meditations, body scan meditations, kindness and compassion meditations and also meditations focusing on our thoughts.

Mindfulness = Non-Judgmental Awareness

Feedback from course participants included the following.

“It reduced my tendency to react automatically and it gave me choices of how to respond in a kind and compassionate way”

“It showed me how I can accept ‘what is’ and it enables me to think about my perspective on things”

“It developed my ability to be aware and conscious of every life experience as it happens to me”

“When we are truly mindful about ourselves and our surroundings it is amazing what we see, hear and feel”

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to attend the Mindfulness workshops, the facilitator Phil is a really interesting guy and has years of knowledge to share on this interesting topic. I have found it to be very helpful both in terms of my work life and my personal life. It is great to feel the sense of calm and acceptance that you get from practicing Mindfulness when living in this crazy world of ours.”

There will be another Mindfulness course running at both sites early 2016. To register your interest please email: philjones@woosh.co.nz

MindfulnessBy Employee Health and Safety Specialty Nurse, Lucy van der Linden.

Mindfulness is a simple method of self-discovery, where we use our awareness in the present moment, to observe what is going on inside and outside of us while it’s actually happening.Mindfulness means purposefully paying attention, in the present moment, without making any kind of judgement. It helps us to see things as they really are, rather than through the filter of past perceptions and conditioning.

Some of us found acquiring the concept of this hard at first but after a few sessions it began to evolve and it started making sense. Mindfulness invites us to watch ourselves - our mind, our environment and our emotions - without reacting to what we observe; it consequently has many mental, physical, emotional and spiritual benefits.

Our first self-funded six-week Mindfulness course has been offered at both Tauranga and Whakatāne sites. The feedback has been extremely positive and we have learnt much about our thoughts, reactions and we became our own observers!

Mindfulness means purposefully paying attention, in the present moment, without making any kind of judgement.

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A professional therapeutic massage service is designed to assist you with pain relief, to reduce everyday stress and to support you to cope with the high demands of everyday life.

Benefits of MassageBy Employee Health and Safety Specialty Nurses, Colleen Mead and Lucy van der Linden. The Collins Dictionary defines Massage as:

1. The kneading or rubbing of parts of the body to reduce pain or stiffness or help with relaxation.

The massage service was set up in 2014 as part of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board’s Healthy Living Programme at Tauranga. A professional therapeutic massage service is designed to assist you with pain relief, to reduce everyday stress and to support you to cope with the high demands of everyday life.

Massages at Tauranga: These are booked through our Healthy Living page on OnePlace. An easy online booking system has been set up for staff through clicking on the massage icon. Massages in Tauranga are held in the West Wing of Outpatients on the ground floor of the hospital on Tuesday and Friday afternoons.

Massages at Whakatāne: A mirimiri service is available at Regional Māori Health Services; these are also advertised on OnePlace.

Masseuse Renee Whipp discusses the treatment plan with Employee Health and Safety Service Specialty Nurse Lucy van der Linden before starting a massage.

Massage therapy is more than relaxing ‘me-time’. Studies continue to prove the physical and emotional benefits of massage. Here are a few of them. Stress Relief: Stress relief is a significant key to achieving a healthier lifestyle. Even a single massage session can significantly lower heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels – all of which help reduce daily stress.

Encourages Relaxation: Relax. Reset. Repeat. Massage has been shown to help the body enter a relaxing rest-and-recovery mode: and an affect that lingers long after the massage is over.

Improves Posture: Unlike other bad habits, correcting poor posture can be relaxing. Massage helps reinforce healthy and natural movements, which can get your posture back on track.

Improves Circulation: The pressure created by massage therapy moves blood through congested areas. This causes new blood to flow in, resulting in improved body function.

Lower Blood Pressure: High blood pressure has more misconceptions than nearly any other medical condition. But one effective way to stave off high blood pressure naturally is massage therapy.

Relaxes Muscles: Got neck, back or muscle pain? Odds are that sitting all day at the office is the culprit. Massage gets to the

root of persistent pain by relaxing tense muscles.

Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion: As we age, joints tend to tighten, making the range of motion more restricted. Massage helps keep joints more fluid, making you more flexible and less prone to injury.

Promotes Deeper and Easier Breathing: One of the tell-tale signs of anxiety and stress is constricted breathing. Massage can play an important role in reliving respiratory issues and training the body how to relax.

Relieves Headaches: Many thousands of people suffer from chronic headaches and migraines. Massage helps ease the pressure and pain, which can also reduce the chance and frequency of headaches.

Strengthens the Immune System: Studies indicate that regular massage can naturally increase the immune system’s cytotoxic capacity – the activity level of the body’s natural ‘killer cells’.

Enhances Post-Operative Rehabilitation: Massage helps the body pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. This makes massage therapy a great supplement to post-operative rehabilitation.

Improves Rehabilitation After Injury: Rehabilitation can be frustrating. A continual massage programme can accelerate the recovery process as well as help you relax and stay motivated.

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Breastfeeding in the WorkplaceBy Senior Lactation Consultant, Karen Palmer.

One of the goals this year for the Healthy Living Team was to develop a protocol for Breastfeeding in the Workplace. The BOPDHB is in an ideal position to role model healthy living practices for its staff, one of these being to provide support for breastfeeding mothers returning to work.

A new Breastfeeding in the Workplace protocol will mean more babies like Mia will be able keep breastfeeding during their mother’s return to work.

Research shows the benefits of supporting staff returning to work are:

• less sick leave due to reduced infant illness• retaining skills of employees• reducing costs of upskilling new staff• loyalty to employer.

The protocol will guide employees, managers and other staff on how support can be offered to mothers returning to the workplace who are breastfeeding. An example might be:

Jane rushes to work to be on time but only managed to give her baby one side before needing to leave the house. After taking handover, Jane notices she has one uncomfortable breast! Her colleagues watch her bells while Jane goes off to express her breastmilk so she is comfortable to keep working. This only takes 15 minutes. Her colleagues know Jane will need to do this later in the morning too, but understand babies are only little for such a short time and breastfeeding is important for both mother and baby.

The BOPDHB recognises it will need to provide specific rooms for infant feeding for both staff and visitors. Discussions on this will take place soon and hopefully we can announce progress with this initiative.

Personal story……..Mel Arnold was able to return to work part time at Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service when her daughter was six months old. The transition back to work was made much easier by the support her workplace offered, including allowing her to have flexible break times and access to a private area to express breastmilk.

“It was reassuring to know that I could return to work and not have to stop breastfeeding my daughter,” says Mel. With the ongoing support from her workplace, she was able to continue breastfeeding for a further nine months until her daughter naturally weaned herself at 15 months old. “While it meant I had to be a little more organised

each day - continuing to breastfeed while working was a lot easier than I thought. It just became part of my daily routine”.

The protocol will guide employees, managers and other staff on how support can be offered to mothers returning to the workplace who are breastfeeding.

Self-Care in Health Care TrainingBy Health and Safety Employee Manager, Ted Harper.

Healthy Living is a balancing act between enjoying the work you do, enjoying being at work, making enough money to make ends meet and having some left over, while having time for family, friends, sports and hobbies, as well as maintaining your health.The Self-Care in Health Care one-day course is about providing you with the knowledge and skills needed to make sure all these vital areas of your like are in balance and that you remain healthy.

At the end of the course you will end up with a Healthy Living plan on how to maintain this balance.

The Healthy Living framework for BOPDHB employees will include:

• why do healthcare workers need to be mindful about self-care?• self-awareness – how are things

now?• strategies to put in place.

To enrol in the course go to OnePlace and click on the Healthy Living icon on the right hand side of your screen.

13

Free Westpac Financial SeminarsBy Employee Health and Safety Specialty Nurse, Lucy van der Linden.

I found the Westpac Managing Your Money workshops light hearted, fun and interactive. The workshops are designed to help us develop tools to make smarter decisions when it comes to our money.There are four seminars covering many aspects of financial planning.

Financial Health Workshop 1 – Budgeting

Financial Health Workshop 2 - First and Subsequent Home Buyers

Financial Health Workshop 3 - Managing Home Loans

Financial Health Workshop 4 - Longer Term Financial Planning, Relationship Property and Trusts

I especially enjoyed the expert advice from both the Westpac private bankers and Holland and Beckett lawyers. Some of the seminars have a legal section which is very informative, with loads of interesting facts on legal issues relating to co-ownership of property, Trusts, Trust structure and relationship property laws.

Other interesting information was shared on investments, saving accounts, Kiwi Saver, how to go about buying your first home, and the importance of good financial advice.

Everyone who attends receives a pack with up-to-date information, seminar PowerPoint print out a pen and best of all a packet of Jaffas! To book for these free seminar go to OnePlace Healthy

Living and click on the Westpac Icon.

Employee Health and Safety Specialty Nurse, Lucy van der Linden found the Westpac financial workshops to be ‘light hearted, fun and interactive’.

WorkwellThe Healthy Living Programme falls under the WorkWell initiative delivered by Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service. WorkWell is a free workplace wellbeing initiative which supports workplaces to ‘work better through wellbeing’. With step-by-step support and mentoring from an assigned WorkWell Advisor, easy to use resources, workshops, networking opportunities and recognition through accreditation, WorkWell can help create a happier, healthier and more productive workplace.

To date the BOPDHB has achieved WorkWell Silver accreditation and, with the direction of the Healthy Living Team, is currently working towards Gold accreditation. The Healthy Living Team consists of passionate BOPDHB employees who oversee the priority wellbeing areas of nutrition, breastfeeding, physical activity, mental wellbeing, smokefree, sun safety, alcohol and communicable disease.

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15

16

Hip and Knee Replacement Education Classes – Improving the journey of our patientsBy Service Improvement Programme Manager, Jen Boryer.

As part of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme of work, a multidisciplinary team has been working on the delivery of an education class for patients about to undergo hip and knee joint replacement surgery. The class provides information to patients about what to expect during their stay in hospital and afterwards, once they go home. It also offers an opportunity for nurses and occupational therapists to assess each patient for equipment needs and to give advice on medications/eating and drinking before surgery. Initially the class was delivered fortnightly by a team including physiotherapists, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists. Feedback from patients was that the class was invaluable in terms of allowing patients to prepare for their operation.

The numbers booked for the class started to increase making it difficult for the nurses and occupational therapists to undertake their assessments. Another challenge was that some patients

were not able to attend the fortnightly class due to availability prior to surgery dates.

A proposed solution was to begin providing weekly classes, which challenged the team in providing enough staff to cover the increased number of classes. So the team tested the delivery of some parts of the class in an interdisciplinary manner i.e. a nurse or social worker presenting parts of the class traditionally delivered by a physiotherapist.

The results have been an overwhelming success. The class size has increased and the rate of attendance has improved from as low as 57% to 88%. Feedback from the team about the interdisciplinary approach to the delivery of the class has also been very favourable.

The Education Class Team from left to right: Physiotherapist, Kirsty French; Occupational Therapist, Melissa Woodcraft; Clinical Nurse Manager Ward 4B, Ross Turner; Clinical Nurse Specialist Orthopaedics, Lesley Warner and Social Worker, Tauha Te Kani.

Record numbers of BOPDHB staff vaccinated for influenzaBy Planning and Funding Portfolio Manager, Brian Pointon.

Record numbers of Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) staff were vaccinated against influenza in 2015. A total of 2,033 staff were vaccinated by the BOPDHB’s occupational health nurses, making up 71% of all BOPDHB personnel. This ranked BOPDHB fifth out of the 20 DHBs. The average across New Zealand DHBs was 66%.

There has been a steady increase in the proportion of BOPDHB staff vaccinated from 51% in 2012 to 71% this year. This reflects the excellent work done by the Healthy Living Team over many years, supported by the BOP Influenza Group. It is now much easier for staff to be vaccinated, with many opportunities being provided in special clinics or in wards and departments during the day, in evenings or weekends. It is also pleasing to see that staff are seeing the benefits of the vaccination, both to protect themselves and their families, and to reduce the chance of infecting patients and clients.

This reflects the excellent work done by the Healthy Living Team over many years, supported by the BOP Influenza Group.

The results have been an overwhelming success. The class size has increased and the rate of attendance has improved from as low as 57% to 88%.

There is still wide variation amongst different occupational groups. Groups as shown in the box below.

Admin and support 86%Doctors 78%Allied Health 66%Nurses 65%Midwives 42%

In addition, 313 volunteers, students, contractors and staff from other organisations working alongside BOPDHB staff and in patient areas were vaccinated.

Planning has already started for the 2016 winter in order to improve vaccination rates further. Two DHBs exceeded 80% in 2015, so there is still scope for increasing coverage to protect patients, DHB staff and their families.

17

By Clinical Nurse Specialist Tissue Viability, Dawn French.

Hot on the heels of World STOP Pressure Injury Day celebrated on 19 November, a new pressure relieving equipment service was made available in both Whakatāne and Tauranga hospitals from 1 December 2015. Essential Helpcare is the new provider of the pressure relieving equipment service which involves direct delivery and installation of pressure relieving equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This new service has the following attributes:

• Timely placements of equipment when it’s required. Installation to bed within a maximum of 4 hours in Tauranga and Whakatāne

• Installation onto bed by an Essential Helpcare technician ensuring effective application of equipment and saving nurses’ time

• Streamlined ordering system and internal processes

• Access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year as required (clinical assessment will consider timely application)

• Reduction of risk in infection control with the company installer removing equipment from site (no need for Orderly to be the middle man)

Pressure damage is not exclusive to the elderly and it can occur at any age to anyone who has a prolonged period of enforced rest; reduced mobility, incontinence, wearing a cast or orthosis, confined to a wheelchair, plaster casts rubbing, oxygen

masks, nasal tubing or intravenous cannulas.

Prevention is far better than cure and eliminating pressure, shear and friction, reducing moisture and considering the role of nutrition and hydration, all have a part to play in prevention.

Tauranga Hospital Registered Nurse, Lauren Nichols learns about the pressure relieving equipment service from Essential Helpcare representative, Ezre Bishop.

Prevention is far better than cure and eliminating pressure, shear and friction, reducing moisture and considering the role of nutrition and hydration, all have a part to play in prevention.

By Communicable Disease Nurse, Toi Te Ora - Public Health Service, Lindsay Lowe.Bright, colourful bags are being delivered to children in throat swabbing programmes in the Bay of Plenty following a collaborative project between Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance (EBPHA), Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service and the Rheumatic Fever Sector Group. The bags are branded with the ‘Stop Sore Throats Hurting Hearts’ logo and aimed at increasing awareness of the importance of sore throats and the link to RheumaticFever.

The bags are proving very popular with the children, according to Sandra Ball, EBPHA Rheumatic Fever Clinical Lead Co-ordinator. “Everybody wanted one; the children couldn’t wait! They whipped them out of the packets and popped them onto their backs.” They are also appreciated by parents and whānau. “Mums love them, they are really useful for togs and sports gear,” says Sandra.

Nita Walker, Rheumatic Fever Community Health Worker from Whakatohea Iwi Social and Health Services (WISH), says the bags and logo match the purple T-Shirts worn by the Rheumatic Fever sector teams and reinforce the messages and education provided by the teams. “The youth team also thought that the bags were really cool and handy, especially for swimming,” says Nikita.

Rheumatic Fever often starts with a sore throat (a streptococcal

Stop Sore Throats Hurting Hearts - Rheumatic Fever Bags

infection). Those most at risk of developing Rheumatic Fever are Māori children aged 4 -19 years. Fortunately, Rheumatic Fever is preventable, provided sore throats are treated correctly. For further information visit: http://www.ttophs.govt.nz/rheumaticfever

Rapid Response Rheumatic Fever Community Health Worker, Stevie-Lee Hiroki with the bright colourful bags being delivered to children participating in throat swabbing programmes.

New Pressure Relieving Equipment now available

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By Whakatāne Hospital Registered Social Worker, Gwenda Ruegg.

Whakatāne Organisational Grand Round has had a successful year evidenced by an increase in attendance and the professions wishing to participate. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen understanding of the varied roles and functions across the health system, and create an environment where we can work together to improve the health of our community.

Guest speakers reflect the relationship within the community of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board. It is an environment where information can be shared and questions can be asked away from the hustle and bustle within the wards and administration of the hospital.

This year (2015) has seen a varied programme covering such topics as Mindfulness with Grant Rix, Legal Issues in Health Care with Gail Bingham and Medical Errors – To err is human with Simon Raimes. The team is really grateful for the sharing of expertise and experience from those presenters who filled our 2015 programme, particularly as there is no budget

for these sessions, limiting the option of having external speakers.

Open to all staff, Whakatāne Organisational Grand Round is held on the first Thursday of each month between 12pm -1pm at the Clinical School. The key focus is on the importance of exchanging knowledge, experience and ideas in a multidisciplinary environment.

Next year (2016) is promising to provide an eclectic mix of speakers. In February, Helen Mason is speaking on the Harkness Fellowship. In May Sue Mackersey will be speaking on suicide. In September the presentation is about obesity and the November topic is euthanasia. The team are excited with the content of the 2016 programme and look forward to sharing the variety of speakers with our wider hospital community.

Some of the Grand Round Team at Whakatāne from left to right: Elsie Van der Merwe, Helen Dudley, Carol Charters, Gwenda Rüegg and Sharon Muru. Absent: Nikki O’ Rourke and Cheryl Shearer. Photo acknowledgement: Tracey Kingi.

Exciting programme for Whakatāne Grand Rounds 2016

Open to all staff, Whakatāne Organisational Grand Round is held on the first Thursday of each month between 12pm -1pm at the Clinical School.

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By Staff Engagement Leader, Maxine Griffiths.

Initial Feedback on 2015 Pulse SurveyOur 2015 Pulse Staff Survey closed online on 16 November after 1691 employees took the opportunity to take part, compared to 1574 last time. Work now begins on reviewing survey data and the initial picture looks favourable. The organisational overview is showing the highest scoring response to be that our employees believe in what the organisation is trying to accomplish. Overwhelmingly, the most supported comment on the thing that is best about the BOPDHB is around the people/colleagues – the camaraderie, support, friendliness.

When you put the two together, you have the recipe for success and innovation at BOPDHB. All thanks to you, our employees who work tirelessly, together with the leadership at Board and Executive levels, in trying to provide the best health services possible to the population of the Bay of Plenty.

This is not to say that we are perfect, not at all. We are constantly on a journey to improve, both as an employer and a provider of health services. The very reason we carry out Pulse every couple of years is to gather information that guides us in that process. Things to improve, which came through the survey, were Management (not entirely per se, but intrinsically linked to such things as listening, communication, recognition), Communication and Teamwork/Collaboration.

Where to from here?We will continue to review and analyse the results from the survey to enable an organisational summary to be finalised early in the New Year. Reports for all areas of the organisation will be

compiled and reviewed and then discussed by the relevant services and teams. Action Plans will be formulated to determine a way forward to address the things shown to need improvement, as well as continuing and advancing the things that are being done well.

The best opportunity of clarifying the improvements identified as Communication or Management is within those discussions which can then feedback at organisational level through the Action Plans. In the meantime, here is a sneak peek into the themes coming out of the comments section of the survey.

When you put the two together with the above belief, you have the recipe for success and innovation at BOPDHB.

listening to the heart of our workforce

38%

16%

11%

6%

4%

4%

3%

3%

3%

2%2%

2%

1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

One Thing Makes it a Great Place to Work One Thing You'd Like to Change

18%

11%

8%

8%

8%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%2%

2%2%

1%1%

1%1%1%

1%

1%1%

Management

Communication

Teamwork/ collaboration

Staffing Levels

Recognition/Respect / Valued

Pay

Leadership

Listen

Bullying

Equipment/Resources

Career Dev/ L&D

Decision making

Staff /Relationships

Culture

Medical Staff

Parking

Service Delivery

Staff Benefits/Flexibility

Work Environment

Funding

Structure

Politics/Bureacracy

Allied Health

HR

Meetings

Accountability

18%

11%

8%

8%

8%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%2%

2%2%

1%1%

1%1%1%

1%

1%1%

Management

Communication

Teamwork/ collaboration

Staffing Levels

Recognition/Respect / Valued

Pay

Leadership

Listen

Bullying

Equipment/Resources

Career Dev/ L&D

Decision making

Staff /Relationships

Culture

Medical Staff

Parking

Service Delivery

Staff Benefits/Flexibility

Work Environment

Funding

Structure

Politics/Bureacracy

Allied Health

HR

Meetings

Accountability

18%

11%

8%

8%

8%

5%

5%

4%

4%

4%

3%

3%

2%

2%

2%2%

2%2%

1%1%

1%1%1%

1%

1%1%

Management

Communication

Teamwork/ collaboration

Staffing Levels

Recognition/Respect / Valued

Pay

Leadership

Listen

Bullying

Equipment/Resources

Career Dev/ L&D

Decision making

Staff /Relationships

Culture

Medical Staff

Parking

Service Delivery

Staff Benefits/Flexibility

Work Environment

Funding

Structure

Politics/Bureacracy

Allied Health

HR

Meetings

Accountability

38%

16%

11%

6%

4%

4%

3%

3%

3%

2%2%

2%

1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

People/staff

Team/Team Work

Patients/Community

Our DHB/ CARE values

Management

Staff Benefits/Flexibility

Location

Support

Career / L&D

Role Satsifaction / Security

Work environment

Friendly

Pay

Innovation

Leadership

Recognition / Valued /Respect

Communication

Other - Culture/Parking/Volunteers

38%

16%

11%

6%

4%

4%

3%

3%

3%

2%2%

2%

1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%

People/staff

Team/Team Work

Patients/Community

Our DHB/ CARE values

Management

Staff Benefits/Flexibility

Location

Support

Career / L&D

Role Satsifaction / Security

Work environment

Friendly

Pay

Innovation

Leadership

Recognition / Valued /Respect

Communication

Other - Culture/Parking/Volunteers

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By Mental Health Services for Older People Community Outreach Service Occupational Therapist, Cilla Kuzmanov and Health In Ageing Community Response Team Occupational Therapist, Gill Ebbing.

‘Doing well together’ was the theme of the Asia Pacific Occupational Therapy Conference hosted in Rotorua last month. Around 700 delegates gathered from across the Asia Pacific region and we felt honoured to be part of such an inspirational group. With this theme it was fitting that our poster presentation highlighted collaboration of physical and mental health to improve safety of our older people in their homes here in the Bay. ‘Safe at Home’ is an educational eight-week practical based course for the older person, also accessible to carers, and held in the Community Outreach Service Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP).

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation in people aged 75 years and over and for older community dwelling people with mental illness such as anxiety, dementia or cognitive decline, this risk is even higher. Recognising our common needs and treatment interventions for clients needing guidance to better manage the risk of falls and other hazards at home we came together to develop the course. Using our combined experience as Occupational Therapists in both the Mental Health Community Outreach Service and the Health In Ageing (HIA) Community Response Team, we developed a group-based programme that includes hazard awareness, well-being, specialist information sessions and exercise.

Evidence-based research was used in the development of the Safe at Home course and continues to feature. This includes the Otago Exercise programme and the Australian ‘Stepping On’ programme, a multifaceted falls-prevention programme for community-residing elderly developed by Professor Lindy Clemson.

We are very grateful for the support from our respective teams in MHSOP Community Outreach Service, and the HIA Community Response Team who are passionate advocates for the well-being

Occupational Therapists initiate ‘Safe at Home’ course

of older people in the Bay of Plenty. They have contributed to the success of the programme fulfilling its aims and becoming a well-established part of the models of care in MHSOP and HIA Community Response Team. We continue to refine referral processes for participants, review the content of sessions, liaise with Ministry of Health, and listen and learn from our participants and carers as to what ‘makes sense and is working for us’.

Mental Health Services for Older People Community Outreach Service Occupational Therapist, Cilla Kuzmanov and Health In Ageing Community Response Team Occupational Therapist, Gill Ebbing with their poster.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalisation in people aged 75 years and over and for older community dwelling people with mental illness such as anxiety, dementia or cognitive decline, this risk is even higher.

Announcing - 2016 Clinical Research AwardsThe Bay of Plenty Clinical School Clinical Research Awards will take place in October 2016. The Clinical School encourages all health professionals who are engaged in research projects to consider submitting an application. The research may be quantitative or qualitative and includes all branches of health including public health, health services, basic, applied and clinical research, or health-related technology research.

Bay of Plenty Clinical School Education Team will be calling for applications from June 2016.

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Summer Students provide invaluable supportBy Bay of Plenty Clinical School Clinical School Business Leader, Sarah Strong.

Fifteen summer students started with the Bay of Plenty District Health Board in November and December 2015, with most students completing a 10 week summer studentship research projects. The services who have the medical students this year include Mental Health, Surgical Services, Health in Ageing, Public Health, Urology, Cardiology, Palliative Care, General Medicine as well as Planning and Funding.

We are grateful for the funding and sponsorship received to support the students. This year generous sponsorship has been received from Quality and Risk, the Provider Arm, Planning and Funding, Bay of Plenty Medical Research Trust, Priority One, Venturo, Bay of Plenty Clinical School and the University of Auckland.

Summer students Louise Daly (left) and Kate Porter. Louise Daly will be a student working in Whakatāne on a Fractured Ankle project supervised by Bron Anstis and Kate Porter is working on Aged Residential Care in Tauranga supervised by Joe Bourne.

Support for secondary students to get a Health Career

The transition from secondary school to university can be challenging and many students are apprehensive and unprepared for what to expect.The Bay of Plenty Clinical School is facilitating a one-day training programme to assist students who wish to study Health Sciences. The programme is delivered by a fourth year medical student and includes the following topics:

• Preparing for university study• What to expect in Health Sciences

A special Grand Round will be held in Tauranga on Tuesday, 26 January 2016 for the students to present their synopsis.

• How to best prepare for the UMAT exam

The programme costs $90 to register and this includes lunch.

Date: Tuesday 21 January 2016 Time: 9am – 4pm Venue: Clinical School, Pohutukawa House, Tauranga Hospital.

Any students who may be interested can contact Linda Pattison at the Bay of Plenty Clinical School for further information:

Linda.pattison@bopdhb.govt.nz or (07) 579 8565

22

These boots were made for walking

The diversity of requests was mind boggling; from a large bag of ice to Maternity please; blood products from the lab to the ward, to collection and transport of a patient over to the care of Te Whare Maiangiangi-Acute Inpatient Unit.

By Rehabilitation Assistant Community Response Team, Frith Bartlett.I recently picked up the gauntlet thrown down by Orderly Services to be an ‘Orderly for a Day’. I duly arrived at the appointed time, ready to be initiated into the mysteries of ‘The Lodge’. It brought to mind images of secret societies and people in funny aprons but nothing could have been further from the truth. After a crash course in tuning my ear to the Scottish dialect at speed (no offence Ewan) I was given a tour of the surrounding environs, like the body storage facility, the viewing room, radiology and the linen service.

We then returned to the control centre which is at the heart of Orderlies Lodge. Each job for each team member is lodged on a database with locations and start and completion times. Calls are logged and allocated by the control desk co-ordinator. No call goes unanswered. There is mail to be sorted, a multitude of things to be collected or delivered, patients to move hither and yon and waste to be collected and dealt with. No two days are the same.

Contrary to popular belief that Orderly staff sit around sipping tea, the Lodge was a hive of activity with ‘walkie-talkies’ crackling and requests coming in, which sent Orderlies in a multitude of directions.

The diversity of requests was mind boggling; from a large bag of ice to Maternity please; blood products from the lab to the ward, to collection and transport of a patient over to the care of Te Whare Maiangiangi-Acute Inpatient Unit. Orderlies are called on to assist security staff, transport the deceased and attend to the helicopter.

My companions throughout the day gave me a huge amount of information and I got to sample many tasks. I had to get to grips with the nuances of the golf cart (there is a lot to be said for electric vehicles) as I transported a patient from the Cancer Centre back to the main building taking care over speed humps so as not to jolt him. Then I was attending the Waikato helicopter

crew as we transported equipment to the Emergency Department and then later a critical patient to the waiting chopper. We all think being part of the helicopter crew must be a glamorous and exciting adrenalin rush of a job. What we don’t see is the result of a turbulent flight over the Kaimai Ranges with the crew exiting the chopper and staggering to the grass verge, gasping for air and on threat of losing their lunch!

A call over to Path Lab to collect or deliver samples yields a view of another world with people in white lab coats studiously bent over their work. A multitude of machines spin, hum and process mysterious liquids, with the biggest machine bristling with robotic arms performing a synchronised waltz with test tubes. ‘Great when it is running’ quipped one of the lab technicians.

I think the team were a little surprised to see me back, bright eyed and bushy tailed after lunch, as I got the feeling bets were on to see if I would last the distance. Did I mention on an average day an orderly walks over 10 km! As I was handed from orderly to orderly like a human baton I was able to observe first-hand how dedicated, cheerful and professional the team is (no bribes were entered into in the writing of this article). I thought I knew the hospital campus pretty well but found myself in places I didn’t know existed wondering how the hell I would find my way out if it wasn’t for my trusted guide in these foreign shores.

I ended my day with my legs worn down to stubs but with a new appreciation of the valuable work these guys do and the enduring thought of ‘wow, who knew?’ And they said this was not one of their busiest days! As is often the way, teams such as the Orderlies quietly get on with the job and are not noticed nor often appreciated because things are miraculously just done or materialise out of thin air. Thanks guys for showing me the inner workings of ‘the machine’ and allowing me to sample a slice of your world. I really appreciate it. By the way the golf cart rocks!

FRIDAY MARCH 2016 11 th DOORS OPEN 6.30pm SHOW STARTS 7pm

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It was also exciting to learn that we have become members of a college - College Of Aeromedical, Surface Transport Nurses (COASTN). This is a huge leap for us as we will now have a voice in New Zealand within the media and government.

By Clinical Nurse Co-ordinator Patient Transport, Dianna Keys.

The National Flight Nurse Symposium held at Trinity Wharf at the beginning of November was a great success. It was hosted by the Tauranga Flight Nursing Team, which was established in 2000. The team comprises six nurses who have completed flight nurse training. Five of the nurses come from within the Intensive Care Unit and the other is from the Emergency Department. Some of the team have extended their knowledge by completing post-graduate study.

Fortunately the Bay of Plenty turned on a stunning day and our room looked out over the harbour beyond the swimming pool. The delegates came from all corners of the country and were suitably impressed. We had flight nurses from Dunedin to Whangarei and a great representation from all the main centres.

The first speakers of the day presented a case study. It was a combined effort by a flight nurse from NZ Air Ambulance who retrieved a patient with sepsis from the Islands to Tauranga, and a Tauranga flight nurse who cared for the patient while in the Intensive Care Unit.

Flight Nurses Conference Takes OffOne of our keynote speakers was an Aerospace Medicine Specialist from Melbourne, Doctor David Newman. Dr Newman has combined academic, scientific, aviation and military experience which affords him a uniquely panoramic perspective on the problems of human performance in the flight environment. He has a PhD in aviation physiology and is a pilot himself therefore has a wealth of knowledge and experience. The other keynote

speaker was Nigel Latta who gave two very dynamic presentations. Dr Troy Brown, who is the lead clinician of our flight team, gave a presentation on using high flow O2. The rest of the day was taken up by presentations from flight nurses after our AGM in the morning.

The speakers were of a very high standard and the day was enjoyed by all based on the fantastic feedback received.

It was also exciting to learn that we have become members of a college - College Of Aeromedical, Surface Transport Nurses (COASTN). This is a huge leap for us as we will now have a voice in New Zealand within the media and government.

Back row from left to right: Flight Nurses Jane Christophers, Dianna Keys, and Choinneach MacDonald. Front row from left to right: Patient Transport Lead Clinician Dr Troy Browne, Flight Nurses Gillian Robertson and Kylie Gibson, Trustpower TECT Helicopter Pilot Todd Dunham and St John Ambulance Officer Kevin Burrows.

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Hospital Chapel WeddingBy Whakatāne Hospital Registered Social Worker, Gwenda Ruegg.

Well known Whakatāne couple David and Kay Wall were married on 25 November 2015 at a very special ceremony in the Whakatāne Hospital Chapel. This couple have longed to be married for quite some years and have been busy planning for the day they could finally become Mr and Mrs Wall. David currently a patient, and his fiancée Kay, met with me and discussed their plans. Within two days the Celebrant, ceremony, cake, dress and guest list was organised and Presbyterian Minister Chris Barnard married the couple amongst friends and hospital staff in the Chapel at Whakatāne Hospital.

The bride chose the music and entered the Chapel to her favourite Elvis number, “Love Me Tender Love Me True” and they left to the beautiful voice of Andrea Bocelli.

Mr and Mrs Wall on their wedding day recently held in the Whakatāne Hospital Chapel.

Mr and Mrs Wall would like to thank the staff of Whakatāne Hospital who supported them and shared in their celebration and for sharing their wedding cake with everyone.

The bride chose the music and entered the Chapel to her favourite Elvis number, “Love Me Tender Love Me True” and they left to the beautiful voice of Andrea Bocelli.

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First Bay of Plenty Kai Hui By Toi to Ora – Public Health Communications Advisor, Debbie Phillips.

United by food, more than 80 locals recently came together in Tauranga to participate in the inaugural Bay of Plenty Kai Hui and celebrate World Food Day. The landmark event brought together passionate individuals from all walks of life to discuss innovative solutions and issues of importance in regard to all things ‘food’. The Hui built enthusiasm for a collective approach to address current food challenges such as food security, access to locally produced food and access to healthier foods.

The Hui included presentations, community panel discussions, networking and brainstorming sessions, with many potential solutions to local food concerns being shared. Most importantly, attendees reported feeling empowered to help address food issues that mattered to them. As a result, attendees gave their support for a local ‘Food Policy Council’ to be piloted in the Western Bay of Plenty region, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

A Food Policy Council is an organised group of people which includes stakeholders from across the food system, such as local businesses, local government and health. The aim is to develop a healthier local food system.

“The Food Policy Council is about bringing together influencers of the local food system to help understand how it all works and test new approaches together - multiple sectors working together for positive outcomes for our community,” says Dana Thomson, Senior Health Improvement Advisor for Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service.

At a local level, an active Food Policy Council can also help contribute to solutions to New Zealand’s increasing rate of obesity. For example, one focus could be on reducing sugary drink consumption as this is associated with the increased risk of diabetes, obesity and tooth decay.

BOPDHB Nutrition and Physical Activity Champion aka Chief Financial Officer, Letham White, addresses the audience at the Bay of Plenty Kai Hui.

Local food stakeholders at the Bay of Plenty Kai Hui brainstorm ideas on growing more food locally and on public land.

The landmark event brought together passionate individuals from all walks of life to discuss innovative solutions and issues of importance in regard to all things ‘food’.

For more information or to become involved, visit www.ttophs.govt.nz/foodsecurity or contact Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service on 0800 221 555.

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By Te Koru Therapy & Rehab Services Community Occupational Therapist Julie Mallen.

Wiel Jongmans Social Worker with the Child Development Service at Te Koru Therapy and Rehab Services, Whakatāne Hospital arrived at work to find he had to unravel sticky tape from his chair

Just goes to show we can have fun at work! and telephone and clear a way to his desk after his colleagues decorated it in a fitting manner to celebrate his 60th birthday in November. Wiel enjoyed the experience but unfortunately his efforts in waving his magic wand to turn the toad into a large Lottery win were not successful so he will be continuing as a social worker for a few years yet!

You are invited to apply for BOPDHB Learning Scholarships and Study FundingThe Bay of Plenty District Health Board (BOPDHB) is committed to supporting staff financially with study undertaken through a tertiary institution such as a university or polytechnic. The following funding options are available to staff who are permanent BOPDHB employees and work a minimum of 0.5 FTE

Learning ScholarshipsLearning Scholarships are sponsored by businesses that have a relationship with us. The scholarships are awarded at the beginning of the year for study undertaken during the next 12 months and are available to staff working in allied health, administration, maintenance, leadership and management.

Advanced Study FundThe Advanced Study fund supports staff with the cost of fees for study undertaken through an external learning institution. The fund is awarded retrospectively for study which has been completed during the calendar year.

Whakatāne Staff Study AwardThe Whakatāne Staff Study Award is granted at the beginning of the year for learning undertaken during the next 12 months. All permanent staff at Whakatāne including mental health, corporate and community services are eligible to apply.

The award supports staff to pursue an educational programme or work exchange experience that will: enhance individual career professional development, address major priorities for the organisation, conduct research, evaluation or needs analysis on issues relevant to BOPDHB.

Contact Penny Horton Penny.Horton@bopdhb.govt.nz or Colleen Lambourne colleen.lambourne@bopdhb.govt.nz for more information and application forms.

Applications close on 31 December 2015.

Note to design – this would be good to be designed as an advert as it is one really and in need of your skill and expertise. Thank you

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A huge thanks to all in the DHB who took part in Buddy DayBy Registered Social Worker, Richard Brown.

Buddy Day is organised by Child Matters, a child protection training organisation based in Hamilton. The purpose of having a buddy is to facilitate positive conversations in a fun way while delivering the important message of valuing and protecting our children across New Zealand.Buddy Day Events took place in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Whakatāne and Wellington on 13 November this year. A 2012 Ministry of Health report by the New Zealand Child and Youth Epidemiology Service was seen by Children's Commissioner Russell Wills this year.

‘843 children aged 0-14, were admitted to hospital from 2007 to 2011 with injuries arising from assault, neglect or maltreatment.’

Wills said the statistics were likely under reported because national guidelines meant officials had to be certain of an assault before it could be recorded. Attitudes about violence towards women and children had to change, he said.

For the year 1 July 2014-2015 there were:

• 45 463 Reports of Concern requiring further action by CYF• 16 472 substantiated findings of abuse (including emotional,

physical, sexual abuse & neglect) as opposed to 16 289 in 2014 and 18 595 in 2013.

Levels of concern have remained relatively consistent as Wills commented in 2014 that the drop from the previous year had related to different ways of referring child abuse by some professions.

This year in New Zealand 16 472 children with substantiated abuse have been recorded. This is 16 472 too many, who are likely to be left with psycho-social issues throughout their lives. Bay of Plenty District Health Board has child protection and family violence policies for staff to follow. Refer to:

http://docman/org/controlled/contdocs/1.6.3%20P1.pdf

http://docman/org/controlled/contdocs/1.6.3%20P2.pdf

Such policies are created to protect children. Sometimes people are hesitant to call Child Youth and Family Services for fear of harming relationships with clients/families, but how much harm are we allowing to continue if we do nothing?

Studies have found abused and neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to experience problems such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, low academic achievement, drug use and mental health (Child Matters, 2015)

If you have concerns about a child, please contact the Social Work Department at Tauranga Hospital on 579 8460 or at Whakatāne Hospital - pager 1885.

OFF ROAD 1/2 AND 1/4 MARATHON CHALLENGEContact sweat for details –

staff.wellness@bopdhb.govt.nz

Registrations Close Friday 8th January 2016