Community Mental Health Staff Shortages in the Eastern Bay

Morena to everyone,
This is to let you know we are continuing to experience critical staffing shortages daily in our Eastern Bay teams, sector and acute care teams and currently have no consult liaison nurse available. We are working to address solutions and to minimise the impact this may have on our service delivery but there may be changes to how we can respond to service need. Due to these shortages some staff will be working outside of their usual roles. I am asking for your understanding at this time for the staffing team who are working very hard to provide response to the community and to all of our stakeholders. If the person is currently case managed within Adult Community Mental Health services, please contact administration who can put you directly through to the appropriate person. If the person is under 18 and during working hours, please contact Whakatāne Voyagers (age <18) - 0800 486 947 – After hours for under 18 please contact 0800774545. If you need to contact us for acute support from the adult team (e.g., in a crisis) please contact our Mental Health line i.e. 0800 774 545. We appreciate your support at this time. Carly Sudlow Service Manager, Community Mental Health 

Update from Adult Community Mental Health and Addictions Service (ACMHAS) - WBOP only

Radiology Reporting Delays

Radiology Reporting from Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty - Health New Zealand Outpatient Services are currently at 72% of reports dispatched within 48 hours (as from 1 July 2024). The delays in reporting are due to unexpected staff leave and unfilled positions, which have placed significant pressure on the service.
The GP liaison team is seeking further information on expected timeline improvements.  In the meantime, please exercise additional caution with safety netting for patients requiring time-sensitive imaging, as some reports are taking longer than 48 hours.

Complex Chronic Illness Support

World Hepatitis Day promotional information

Praxis on Seventh Medical Practice for sale

Praxis on Seventh https://praxisonseventh.co.nz/ is a long-established psychology and psychiatry centre in Tauranga located at 56 Seventh Avenue in what has recently become a quiet cul-de-sac and is situated a few minutes from the hospital and the CBD. The building contains six consulting rooms, a waiting area, and a garage for storage that has the potential to be converted into more consulting rooms.
 
The centre has a PABX phone system with voicemail facility and fibre internet. All rooms have heat pumps. There are ample parking spaces for those working in the centre and a few spaces for clients with additional parking in adjacent streets. There is one parking space for the disabled and wheelchair access at the rear of the building.
 
Due to the retirement of one and the imminent retirement of a second of the five owners the business is up for sale.
 
It has Council resource consent to operate as a medical centre and some years ago it was one, Avenue Seventh Health. If you are looking at moving into private practice this is an excellent opportunity.
 
If you want to know more or arrange a visit please contact John Vickers johnvick2@gmail.com.

Due to scheduled CT maintenance, Tauranga Hospital only has use of 1 CT scanner until Friday 21st June. The radiology service is managing the clinical risk by utilising the Whakatāne CT and outsourcing to third party providers where necessary.

At present, waiting times are as follows:

• Priority 3 – 10 weeks
• Priority 2 – 9 weeks
• Priority 1 and urgent – within 1 week
• Oncology follow-ups – within usual timeframes

Please contact the GP Liaison team with any queries at baynav@bopdhb.govt.nz. Dr Dan Jackson, Dr Katrina Sandford, and Dr Paula Taylor

Sleep clinic waiting times

The sleep service has recruited a second sleep physiologist in WBOP and a part-time sleep physiological in EBOP. As such, waiting times have reduced to approximately 3 months.

Hospital-based infusion medications

If referring for day stay hospital infusions e.g., iron, please do not send the patient with a community pharmacy prescription. Hospital stock must be used.

Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Radiology External Referrer's Feedback Survey

We are interested in knowing how satisfied you are with the service you receive from Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Radiology Services. Please help us by completing this survey (this will take only a few minutes): https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/57KC6V6 We value your opinion and will treat the information we receive as confidential. Your answers to these questions will assist us in making improvements to the service.

Complex Chronic Illness Support (CCIS)

Support for people impacted by Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), Post-Viral Syndrome (PVS), Long-Covid, Fibromyalgia and POTS. Website: www.ccisupport.org.nz We are a not-for-profit Incorporated Society. Our members (clients) pay $40 annually for services (or $1 per week), we also have hardship funds to cover some memberships. We also have family rates - $40 first person and each other person is $20. We provide support to their family/Whanau for free, if we are supporting the unwell person. Also – MSD have indicated that they are willing to pay the membership fees under the Disability Allowance or Temporary additional support as it is an annual ongoing fee. The rest of our funding comes from grants – https://ccisupport.org.nz/supporters/ For the $40 clients get the following (many services are available by telehealth to conserve energy):

• One-to-One Support: Personalised assistance to address individual needs and concerns.
• Social and Support Groups: Facilitated groups providing peer support and shared experiences.
• Mindfulness Meditation Workshops: Techniques to enhance mental clarity and reduce stress.
• Restorative Movement Workshops: Gentle exercises designed to promote physical well-being.
• Towards Wellness Programmes: Comprehensive courses to guide participants through their health journey.
• Support Persons Workshops: Training and resources for caregivers and support persons.
• Written Resources: Informative materials covering various aspects of ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long COVID.
• Newsletters: Regular updates and information on relevant topics and upcoming events.
• Care Kits: Packages with essential items and information to support well-being.
• Networking and Advocacy: Building connections and advocating for the needs of our community.
• Counselling: Required for people coming to terms with their condition.

Towards Wellness Programme – online:

Our flagship Towards Wellness Programme shares foundational principles to assist participants in skilfully navigating their journey with ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long COVID. The programme empowers individuals to create personalized wellness plans. It is divided into two series: Towards Wellness - Series One:

• Understanding the Condition: Insight into ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, and Long COVID.
• Systems & Stages: Understanding the progression and management of symptoms.
• Pacing – Balancing Activity & Rest: Strategies to manage energy levels effectively.
• Stress Management – Calming a Maladaptive Stress Response: Techniques to reduce and manage stress.
• The Journey of Acceptance: Embracing the condition and finding ways to cope.
• Sleep: Improving sleep quality and addressing sleep disorders.
• Nutrition / Gut Health: Dietary recommendations to support overall health.
• Restorative Movement: Gentle exercises to enhance physical recovery.
• Pain – A GP's Perspective: Insights into managing chronic pain from a medical professional.
• Building Your Support Networks: Developing a strong support system.

Towards Wellness - Series Two:

• Mind-Emotion Connection: Understanding the link between mental and emotional health.
• Moving into a Healing State: Techniques to promote healing and well-being.
• Resting as a Strength: The importance of rest in the recovery process.
• Expressing Your Needs: Effective communication skills for expressing needs.
• Moving Forward: Strategies for making progress and setting goals.

Public Health Alert - Pertussis (Whooping Cough) awareness

Reference Links

• National Public Health Service - www.rph.org.nz
• ESR Dashboard Reporting - https://www.esr.cri.nz/digital-library/pertussis-dashboard/
• Pertussis information - Health NZ https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/communicable-disease-control-manual/pertussis
• IMAC - http://www.immune.org.nz/diseases/pertussis
• KidsHealth - http://www.kidshealth.org.nz/whooping-cough
• Dropbox - National Immunisation Programme - vaccine resources
• HealthEd – https://healthed.govt.nz/collections/all/topic-vaccinations-and-immunisations.
• Bluestar portal - https://portal.bluestar.co.nz/login/moh_vaccine

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