1. Healthcare

Your
Community Health
Newsletter
FEBRUARY 2015
Waitakere Health Link is working to connect communities of interest in the
West. Join us at our upcoming Open Day and NGO Forum on Medications.
‘Medications’ Forum
The Changing Landscape of Health Treatments
TUES DAY 3R D MARCH 20 15 , 11 AM TO 1PM
Waitakere Health Link is hosting a forum for the
community to learn about medications.
From the Consumer Perspective: A unique
opportunity for everyone to learn more about the
key issues. Covering cost, changing brands,
availability ease of access (internet).
The role of Pharmac: what is its role, how does it
work, what are the benefits, concerns from
pharmaceutical companies TPP trade agreements
etc.
A full agenda will be out soon.
‘Open Day’
In conjunction with a ‘WDHB Patient Experience’ Focus
WEDNES DAY 25 TH M ARCH 2015
Waitakere Health Link continues the ‘Open Days’
this year, connecting hospital staff with health
services in the community. Hosting two Hospital
Open Days each year enable Waitakere Hospital
staff to meet and network with organisations who
provide health services to patients leaving hospital
and support them to stay well in the community.
The Open Days are well attended, attracting new
organisations each time.
Non Government Organisations (NGOs) are not-forprofit and provide support and services in the
community.
Come along and find out about the health services and support available you and
your family in the community.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THESE EVENTS
For more information phone 839 0512 or email [email protected]
Waitakere Health Link is a community driven
organisation committed to improving health in West
Auckland by promoting community participation in
healthcare decision making and fostering collaborative
relationships between healthcare providers and the
West Auckland community.
THE ISSUE BRINGS YOU:
· Medications Forum
· NGO Open Day
· Waitemata DHB Updates
· Change Day—11 March
· Diabetes Breakthrough
Toddler
Day Out
Sat 7th March
10am—3.30pm
It is always a welcoming and
wonderful event, and some
of what was so magical last
year was the village theme,
where different cultures and
services created an area of
interaction, activities and
conversation. There are always lots of great things for
families with children under
the age of five to do …
learning and play activities,
art, dance, exploration of
everything from healthy diet
to imaginative places to
play in. Mums and Dads
have a great time too…
Check out the facebook
page ‘Toddler Day Out –
West Auckland’ for more
information if you are
thinking of coming!
Please contact Kay Lindley
[email protected]
Waitemata DHB Updates
F R E E H I G H - S P E E D WI F I T O F U R T H E R I M P R O V E T H E P A T I E N T E X P E R I E N C E
The first stage of a project giving Waitemata DHB patients and their whanau access to free high speed wifi has been rolled out.
More than 400 access points
are being installed around
the DHB’s campuses,
allowing one hour of free
wifi per day as part of a $1
million investment in further
improving the patient
experience.
Chief Executive Dr Dale
Bramley said the initiative
was in response to feedback
from patients and would
help keep people in the
DHB’s care connected with
the outside world. “Little
things like wifi can make a
big difference to patient
morale – just being able to
keep in touch with people via
social media or read what’s
been happening in the news
can make health challenges
seem more manageable and
help ease any sense of social
isolation,” Dr Bramley said.
“We take our role as a
provider of healthcare very
seriously. But, in addition,
we also have an obligation to
do what we reasonably can
to make the patient journey
welcoming and ‘user‐
friendly’.
Wifi is just another way of
supporting our patients and
their whanau while in
hospital.
“This is also a perfect fit with
our organisational values of
‘connected’ and ‘everyone
matters’.”
Once the rollout is complete
by March 2015, Waitemata
will be the first of the
Auckland metropolitan DHBs
to offer full wifi coverage to
its patients. The first stage,
due for completion over
coming days, will see North
Shore Hospital’s Emergency
Department, Assessment
and Diagnostic Unit, Elective
Surgery Centre, renal unit
and three haematology
wards connected.
At Waitakere Hospital, the
installation of access points
has been completed in all
inpatient wards, with only
Rangatira children’s ward
and the maternity ward yet
to be connected.
Patients and members of the
public are able to access one
hour of free high‐speed wifi
per day. For those requiring
more internet access, a small
fee will be charged.
WA I T E M A T A H E A L T H E X C E L L E N C E A WA R D S
The annual sharing of knowledge gained from research is on in March 2015.
These annual awards are an
opportunity for individuals,
teams, and collaborative
groups of health workers in
our district to showcase their
achievements.
This event promotes a
sharing of knowledge gained
from research and projects
that improve practice,
develop and support the
workforce, encourage
community cooperation,
compassionate healthcare
and equitable access to
health solutions.
The preliminary round of
presentations take place on
Change Day - 11 March
HE LP CHANGE HE ALT HCAR E FOR T HE BETTE R
The countdown is on for New Zealanders to help change
healthcare for the better and become a part of what is set
to be the biggest single day of action in the New Zealand
healthcare history.
Change Day, taking place on March 11, is a movement
designed for all healthcare professionals – from frontline
staff to large organisations, to action a change that they
believe will improve the quality of healthcare.
The concept is simple – get involved by finding something
you can action to improve the healthcare quality and
pledge it to the website. On March 11, every person
actions their pledge – creating a mass movement of grassroots healthcare improvement in New Zealand.
Pledges are already being made by people in all areas of
healthcare, from disability sectors to harm reduction staff,
mental health services and aged care.
The concept began as a true grass-roots movement, with a
twitter conversation between young improvement leaders
on ways to improve the health service. The movement
itself retained its grass-roots ethos with those in the frontline being major players in fostering change and
betterment in health care services.
While this is the first time that New Zealand has officially
taken part in the movement.
To make a pledge and to see current pledges, visit the
Change Day website at www.changeday.kiwi
Tuesday 17 March at
Waitakere Hospital and
Thursday 19 March at North
Shore Hospital.
A list of the presentations
and a timetable will be
published once finalised at
www.awhinahealthcampus.co
.nz
A gallery of the poster
entries to the awards will
also be available on the
Awhina website from 9th
March 2015.
This is an opportunity for
everyone to view all the
posters and to vote for the
People’s Choice Award.
Auckland Regional
Dental Service
O R A L H E A LT H I S P A R T O F G E N E R A L H E A LT H
The Auckland Regional Dental Service works hard to make
sure young people get the oral care they need.
School Dental Service
Provides free dental care for
pre-school children that
continues on when your
child begins school (Years 18). If your child starts school
and is not already enrolled
with ARDS, you will receive
an enrolment form as part of
the school process.
Adolescent Dental Care
Free dental continues for
your child when they move
to secondary school (Year 9
onwards), right up until your
child turns 18. To receive
free treatment your child is
required to enrol with a
dentist who holds a contract
with the DHB in your area.
Mobile providers
Mobile services are provided
to some schools and
colleges by contracting
dentists Lumino Dental,
Mighty Mouth and the West
Auckland Dental Service. The
service is provided from a
mobile dental surgery on the
school grounds. You can
view a list of schools where
the mobile service operates.
To enrol your child, ask questions or find a contracting dentist
near you, please call 0800 TALK TEETH (0800 825583).
For the list of contracting dentists visit: http://
www.waitematadhb.govt.nz/PatientsVisitors/
DentalandOralhealth.aspx.
WAITAKERE
HEALTH
LINK -
Scientists Transform
Stem Cells into Insulin
Producing Beta Cells
The hunt for a cure for type
1 diabetes has recently taken
a "tremendous step forward",
scientists have said.
The disease is caused by the
immune system destroying
the cells that control blood
sugar levels.
A team at Harvard University
used stem cells to produce
hundreds of millions of the
cells in the laboratory.
Tests on mice showed the
cells could treat the disease,
which experts described as
"potentially a major medical
breakthrough".
Beta cells in the pancreas
pump out insulin to bring
down blood sugar levels.
But the body's own immune
system can turn against the
beta cells, destroying them
and leaving people with a
potentially fatal disease
because they cannot regulate
their blood sugar levels.
It is different to the far more
common type 2 diabetes
which is largely due to an
unhealthy lifestyle.
The team at Harvard was led
by Prof Doug Melton who
began the search for a cure
when his son was diagnosed
23 years ago. He then had a
daughter who also
developed type 1.
He is attempting to replace
the approximately 150
million missing beta cells,
using stem cell technology.
He found the perfect cocktail
of chemicals to transform
embryonic stem cells into
functioning beta cells.
Tests on mice with type 1
diabetes, published in the
journal Cell, showed that the
lab-made cells could produce
insulin and control blood
sugar levels for several
months.
Dr Melton said: "It was
gratifying to know that we
could do something that we
always thought was possible.
"We are now just one preclinical step away from the
finish line."
However, his children were
not quite so impressed: "I
think, like all kids, they
always assumed that if I said
I'd do this, I'd do it."
If the beta cells were injected
into a person they would still
face an immune assault and
ultimately would be
destroyed. More research is
needed before this could
become a cure.
Sarah Johnson, from the
charity JDRF which funded
the study, told the BBC: "This
isn't a cure, it is a great
move along the path. It is a
tremendous step forward.
"Replacing the cells that
produce insulin as well as
turning off the immune
response that causes type 1
diabetes is the long-term
goal."
Prof Chris Mason, a stem cell
scientist at University
College London, said: "A
scientific breakthrough is to
make functional cells that
cure a diabetic mouse, but a
major medical breakthrough
is to be able to manufacture
at large enough scale the
functional cells to treat all
diabetics. "This research is
therefore a scientific and
potentially a major medical
breakthrough. "If this
scalable technology is
proven to work, the impact
on the treatment of diabetes
will be a medical gamechanger on a par with
antibiotics and bacterial
infections."
Diabetes Support Groups
Diabetes NZ Auckland Branch
run support groups to
provide ongoing education
and support for those living
with Diabetes.
Support Group Coordinators
are trained by Diabetes NZ
Auckland Branch and receive
regular updates. The nurse
and dietician each visit the
support groups separately to
provide one update session.
West Auckland:
· New Lynn During the Day: 2nd Monday in month,
9.45am-12. Ph Rebecca: 827 6858 or 021 189 6194.
· Te Atatu Peninsula Evening Group: 2nd Wednesday in
month, 7.30pm-9pm. Ph Mary 834 4554.
Helensville:
· Day Group: 1st Monday in month, 10am to 12, Ph
Shirley 09 420 6501
· Evening Group: 7pm-9pm, Ph Shirley 09 420 6501.
Support groups operate in other areas of Auckland, please
contact Diabetes NZ for more information.
YOUR COMMUNITY
HEALTH
NEWS
Events in your
Community
CANCER SOCIETY
RELAY FOR LIFE
14/15 Feb
Kumeu Showgrounds
Every day 60 families face
the challenge of a cancer
diagnosis, and Relay For
Life is a time when we
acknowledge the impact
cancer has and fundraise to
make the work of the
Cancer Society possible.
Funds raised provide
Supportive Care and
information for people
going through cancer and
vital research into more
effective cancer treatments.
Ph 308 0177
D IS A B ILIT Y R IGHT S
N Z LA W WO R K S HO P
Fri 30 Jan, 9.30am-12.30pm
In Royal Oak. For disabled
people and their family who
want to better understand
their rights. Ph 950 5672
FREE BLINDNESS
A WA R E N E S S F O R
PACIFIC PEOPLE
Programmes cover:
common causes of
preventable blindness,
symptoms to be aware of,
tips and resources available
Ph 281 6507
WE L L WO M E N S ME AR S
19 Feb in Henderson
25 Feb in Glen Eden
27 Feb in New Lynn
Ph 846 7886
D IA B ET E S S E LF
M A N A GE ME NT
C LA S S E S
Presented by nurses,
dieticians and health
psychologist. Courses start:
28 Jan, 1 Apr, 3 Jun, 15 Jul
Ph 415 1091
T ER M 1 — PAR E NT IN G
E DU CA T IO N
Lifewise: Early Years,
Middle Years, Tweens and
Teens, Building Awesome
Whanau Ph 818 6834
Plunket: Your New Baby,
Your Growing Baby, Your
Moving Baby, Your Active
Toddler, Your Curious
Young Child Ph 476 0705
STAMP
TO:
Ensuring the community voice is heard in healthcare decision making.
Waitakere Health Link, PO Box 21 852, Henderson 0650. Telephone: 839 0512.
Website: www.waitakerehealthlink.org.nz Email: [email protected]
WHATS ON / FIND A SERVICE
INTEGRATED NEUROLOGICAL
REHABILITATION Rehab service for
AD/HD, ASD PARENT SUPPORT GROUP neurological disorders Ph 836 6830
1st Wed, 3rd Mon 7.30-9.30pm, last Fri
LA LECHE LEAGUE Support group for
10-12pmPh 836 1941
mothers in Kelston Ph 838 9362
ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT GROUPS Mthly
PARKINSONS SUPPORT GROUP Home
mtgs in Te Atatu, Massey, Henderson &
visits, info and support. Ph 278 6918
Kelston. Ph 835 2387
POST NATAL DISTRESS SUPPORT
AMITABHA HOSPICE free practical &
NETWORK Every Mon 10-12am Te Atatu
spiritual support the elderly with life
South Ph 836 6967.
limiting illness. Ph 828 3321
POST NATAL PSYCHOSIS SUPPORT
ARTHRITIS NZ for info and support ph
GROUP Support for families of Post Natal
0800 663 463
Psychosis. Ph: 449 1011
BARNARDOS Family Support Services Ph RESPIRATORY PHYSIOTHERAPY
Sharyn 625 3675, Supervised Contact Ph Exercise, breathing techniques & coping,
Alistair 625 3704
for quality of life. Ph 921 9155.
BEREAVED PARENTS GROUP support
STROKE FOUNDATION Support groups
for parents who have lost children. Meet in Massey, New Lynn & Glen Eden, hydro
2nd Wed of month 6-8pm. Ph 486 1688 therapy. Ph 475 0070
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
TOUGHLOVE Support groups for parents
meets 3rd Tue, 7pm, Henderson. Ph
for teenage behaviour Ph 624 4363.
0800 273 222
TE ATA educational courses and social
CANCER INFORMATION HELPLINE info support to mental health consumers. Ph
and support phone Cancer Society on
837 0671
0800 CANCER (226 237)
WAITAKERE ABUSE & TRAUMA
CANCER GROUP (PACIFIC) patients ph
COUNSELLING services. Ph 837 2491
839 7486
WOMEN’S CENTRE WAITAKERE
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY
Counselling, wellbeing courses,
DISEASE 1st Thur 1-3pm, Glen Eden
information, support. Ph 838 6381
Comm Hall. Ph 630 2293
WOMEN’S MENTAL WELLNESS Support
DIABETES SUPPORT GROUPS Avondale: group meets Weds Ph 818 3723
1st Mon in mth Ph 827-8315.
Blockhouse Bay: 2nd Mon in the mth Ph
626-2711. Akl West: 2nd Wed in mth Ph Information and Courses
834 4554. Chinese: Ph 626-2711
AGE CONCERN Information for older
MAORI DIABETES GROUP Last Sat of
people, 1st Wed of month. Ph 820 0184
month 9.30-12. Te Puna Manawa 18
BARNARDOS SUPERVISED CONTACT Ph
Lincoln Rd Ph 963 7581
625 3672
EPILEPSY NZ Info and support. Social
BRAINWAVE TRUST info & seminars on
group meets monthly. Ph 0800 202122
babies brain development Ph 528 3981
GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRAND
BUDGETING ADVICE Free, confidential
CHILDREN 3rd Thur mth, 10am,
Ph 834 6480
Greenview Village Hall. Ph 818 7828
CARE WAITAKERE COUNSELLING
GROUP FOR PREMATURE & HIGH RISK
courses, children, relationship, family,
BABIES For babies from NICU or SCBU.
individuals. Ph 834 6480
Ph 307 4949 ext 25469
DAYSPRING TRUST programmes &
educational courses for all, free crèche,
Support Groups
all welcome Ph 827 6321
FAMILY WORKS Parenting programmes,
counselling for children and family
support. Ph 835 1288
GRIEF CENTRE Provides counselling,
support groups, information, resources,
ph 418 1457
HOME HEALTHCARE EQUIPMENT
Mobility aids, bathroom, kitchen and
bedroom aids. Ph 627 6241
HOSPICE WEST AUCKLAND Free
palliative care for patients and support
people. Ph 834 9755
KIDNEY SOCIETY Provide support and
information on kidney failure and their
families. Ph 278 1321
MAN ALIVE Courses for men. Ph 835
0509
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINS spiritual support,
Waitakere & Nth Shore Ph 358 0825.
OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS Addresses
issues of abuse, addiction and
overeating. Ph 486 8900.
PARENT AID free help to parents with
new baby, stress. Ph 836 4122.
PARENT TRUST Practical help for
parents Ph 376 0400
PARENTING COURSES Lifewise Family
Services Ph 818 0204
PHOENIX HOUSE COUNSELLING &
psychotherapy, supervision Ph 837 1797
PREGNANCY HELP For more info Ph 373
2599.
SENIORLINE free info service for older
people. Ph:375 4395
QIGONG FOR HEALTH 7pm Tues.
www.meetup.com
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES support for
family/whanau to thrive. Ph 835 1288 or
027 2747 130
TE ATATU PENINSULA COMMUNITY
HOUSE Courses for all ages, Diabetes
Clinic, Plunket. Ph 834 5827
TE WHANAU O WAIPAREIRA
PREGNANCY AND PARENT SUPPORT
Tamariki Ora, Family/Whanau Support,
Gratitude Expressed to Waitakere Hospital Staff
Parents as First Teachers, Incredible
Years, Strengthening Families. Email:
[email protected]
THRIVE TEEN PARENT SUPPORT In
pregnancy, parenting classes, coffee
groups Ph 551 4367
VISIONWEST COUNSELLING CENTRE
counselling for children, families and
individuals. Ph 818 0760
WAITAKERE FAMILY START home
based support for families with new
babies and high needs Ph 837 3517
WEST AKL PARENTS CENTRE provide
childbirth education, parenting courses
Ph 837 8481
WOMEN’S HEALTH CHECKS Free smears
for Maori, Pacific and Asian women. For
appt ph 846 7886
WEST LINKS FAMILY SERVICES support
families with invisible disabilities eg: AD/
HD, ASD ph 836 1941
WESTSIDE COUNSELLING professional
support for all ages Ph 833 3107
For Your Health
ACTIVE CHOICE EXERCISE 2 hour
sessions with physiotherapist and info.
Ph 027 227 9501
KELSTON WALKING GROUP Ph Rhonda
838 4711 or email
[email protected]
ORGANICALLY SPEAKING Ph 298 8693.
MOVE 4 HEALTH Low to medium fitness
to music, Fri 1-2pm, Ranui Ph 833 6280.
SIT FIT EXERCISE CLASS Seated
exercise to music for women. Tues 12pm, New Lynn Ph 817 7228.
TAI CHI FOR HEALTH Weds 2pm.
Massey Comm House. Ph 833 9220.
THE FONO exercise classes Ph 838 0741
TITIRANGI WALKING GROUP Ph John
817 7212.
ZUMBA CLASSES Glen Eden ph 827
7142, Titirangi ph 021 116 0439, Te
Atatu ph 836 3563. Ranui Ph 832 3640.
I assume that people are quick to complain so I am here to compliment. On Wednesday night I went to the emergency
department at Waitakere Hospital with severe nausea. I have never felt so sick in my life. I only had to sit (lie down) in the
waiting room for about 30 seconds before I was sent through, seen by a nurse and given medication. My nurse was so
competent and very friendly. She even gave my poor partner a blanket. The doctor was also very efficient and made sure
that I would be OK once I was released. Anyway, I couldn’t have wished for better treatment.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of Waitakere Health Link.