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

Welcome to Tauranga's newest comprehensive gastro clinic