South Island Stroke Webinar 2021
The 2021 South Island Stroke Study has been cancelled due to COVID restrictions and replaced with a one-hour webinar.
Click the flyer image below for more information and the video link to join on the day:
Supporting dementia community to get involved
Being involved in the community is an important part of leading a fulfilling life following a dementia diagnosis, says Darral Campbell, of Dementia Canterbury. “The most common feedback from the dementia community is that they don’t feel useful anymore, and that they want to give back to the community in some way. They also want to take part in the activities they are interested in, but they don’t feel safe or comfortable to do them anymore.”
A new toolkit has been developed to support a more dementia-friendly community and give those living with dementia the confidence to participate in activities they enjoy. Community Activity Groups for People Living with Dementia: A Guide to Getting Started was designed to encourage dementia NGOs across the South Island to partner with community-based organisations to provide dementia-friendly activities in normalised environments.
Dementia Canterbury began developing dementia specific community social programmes many years ago, by partnering with community-based organisations such as art galleries, museums, libraries, botanical gardens and theatre groups. These social activity groups not only helped people living with dementia enjoy meaningful activities in normal social settings, but also helped support care partners, by giving them a break.
The number of community organisations working in partnership with Dementia Canterbury increased over the years and in March 2019, the Health of Older People’s Service Level Alliance (HOPSLA) decided a ‘how-to’ toolkit was needed to support other Dementia NGOs across the South Island to partner with community organisations.
The toolkit consists of helpful tips, interviews, information and videos on how to get started, as well as a gallery of programme examples. “People with dementia are anywhere and everywhere and community-based organisations need to be responsive in the way they deliver their services,” says Darral. “And the diversity of the programme means looking at our own communities and what might work, given that different things work in different districts.”
While the venue and facilitator are provided by the community organisations, Dementia Canterbury provides the activities coordinator, the volunteers, as well as training. Darral says one of the benefits of working in partnership means no money changes hands. “We really encourage the partnership model, because we can do so much more in partnership than we can do on our own.”
One of those partnerships is with Christchurch Art Gallery, for Artzeimers – an art group for people living with dementia. Lana Coles, Education and Public Programmes Team Leader, created the group after realising seniors was one group in the community they didn’t have engagement with. She was also motivated for personal reasons. “My mum had dementia. I really wish something like these groups was available when mum was alive. Not just for her but also for my father and myself, who struggled with no support.”
Lana says the benefits for the gallery are “tremendous” and they couldn’t run the group without Dementia Canterbury. “They provide the people that come to the sessions, they do a wonderful job of promoting the service, contacting them for reminders and at each session there are social workers and volunteers to help. They also provided training for us on how to deal with the unexpected.
“It’s an equal partnership where each entity contributes what they want to and what they can. The attendees love it, the volunteers love it and it’s also helped our staff to become more accepting and inclusive of older people. The sessions are the same as public sessions, the only thing we had to do was slow it down a little bit.”
Susan Gee, Lead Researcher for the Psychiatry of Old Age Academic Unit, Canterbury DHB, helped put the toolkit together. She says it can be easy for people to become isolated after they receive a dementia diagnosis. “It’s not just about being in your home, it’s about being in your community. So, this is a chance to do things that connect people with the lives they’ve lived, the hobbies they’re interested in, reconnecting with who you are, in places that are familiar to you, and your place out there in the community.
“We know that being engaged in meaningful activities is good in many ways, like keeping your brain stimulated, giving a boost to your mood, being connected with things you love and places you love. For example, if you’re an art lover and you go along to the Dementia Canterbury buildings to do something related to art, versus going to the art gallery in the middle of town in that fantastic building, you can imagine how great that would feel.”
Read more information about the toolkit:
Community Activity Groups for People Living with Dementia: A Guide to Getting Started.
Spait Chair Carol Atmore Steps Down
News
28 Jul 2020
Dr Carol Atmore
Dr Carol Atmore has resigned as chair of SPaIT, after five years in the role. She has been a member of SPaIT since 2012 and has made an enormous contribution to the Alliance, bringing a strong primary care focus to our regional focus.
Carol, a practising GP, has recently taken up a role as Head of Department, in the Department of General Practice and Rural Health within Otago Medical School at the University of Otago in Dunedin. She has a doctorate in rural health and was also chair of Alliance South (Southern DHB’s local alliance) up until late last year.
“I have really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the work of the South Island Alliance. I have had the pleasure to work with many fantastic people throughout the South Island in this role.” Carol says. “I strongly believe in the kaupapa of a single South Island health system and hope to support this work as the opportunity arises from within my other roles.”
South Island Alliance chair Jenny Black says Carol’s extensive knowledge of the South Island, due to her time in the different DHBs, made her contribution invaluable. “She understood rural and remote South Island as well as urban, she had a great balance of primary vs secondary clinical issues and she knew the importance of strategic thinking and planning ahead. We’ll miss her enormous contribution and thank her sincerely for it – and we wish her well for her next challenge.”
Anna Wheeler, Associate Director Nursing and Midwifery, South Canterbury DHB, has replaced Carol as the new chair of SPaIT.
Regional Outcomes And Equity Report 201819
The Regional Outcomes and Equity Report 2018/19 is now available. It brings together a range of data from various sources to measure performance against our South Island Alliance Outcomes Framework and priority focus areas (2018–21).
The intention of the report is to establish a baseline dataset for regular reporting and update at regional level across a wide range of health specialties. It is also intended to assist with defining strategies and activities to address future activity and challenges, particularly in achieving equity.
Data highlights that progress is being made in many areas. However, there is much more we could do, particularly to address inequity for Māori across the South Island.
We trust this report will initiate the generation of new ideas, innovation and problem-solving as together we seek to address challenges, with a strong focus on improving equity for Māori.
This report brings together a range of data from various sources to measure performance against our South Island Alliance Outcomes Framework and priority focus areas (2018–21).
The intention of the report is to establish a baseline dataset for regular reporting and update at regional level across a wide range of health specialties. It is also intended to assist with defining strategies and activities to address future activity and challenges, particularly in achieving equity.
Data highlights that progress is being made in many areas. However, there is much more we could do, particularly to address inequity for Māori across the South Island.
We trust this report will initiate the generation of new ideas, innovation and problem-solving as together we seek to address challenges, with a strong focus on improving equity for Māori.
Click here to access the report.
Microsoft Teams The New Solution For Alliance Meetings
Organising meetings for more than 80 Alliance work groups across the South Island is no small feat. Over the course of a year, that’s hundreds of meetings for over 1000 people – consumers, clinicians, health professionals and leaders across the South Island health and social system.
Alliance meetings are held virtually and face-to face, using a variety of digital solutions to accommodate our broad and widespread membership. During the Covid-19 response, as the SIAPO team switched to working from home, we also needed to switch to a single virtual meeting solution – to avoid confusion, provide better support and enable better online collaboration.
As part of the regional roll out of Office 365, Microsoft Teams became available for us all to use and has since been adopted as the single solution for all our Alliance meetings.
While we still accommodate other technologies where required, Teams is our preferred option. It has simplified our job of hosting meetings immensely and enhanced the way we work together across the South Island health system. We would like to thank all our colleagues who joined us in this transition.
During the pandemic response period, within Canterbury DHB:
Here are some of the benefits our team has found:
When we’re back in the office, we’re also expecting Teams to spell the end of manoeuvring bulky video conferencing equipment between rooms and floors of our building, hunting for missing cables and controls, and begging for tech support.
- Alliance group members experiencing issues with Teams or wanting more information should contact the relevant group facilitator.
New Look South Island Alliance Board Appointed
News
23 May 2020
The South Island Alliance hosted the South Island Board induction day in Christchurch, on 13 March. Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health, and John Whaanga, Deputy Director-General Māori Health, met with new and existing South Island DHB members.
Following district health board (DHB) elections last year, the new-look South Island Alliance Board welcomes three new members. The Board is made up of the five South Island DHB Chairs; Jenny Black (Chair) of Nelson Marlborough DHB, Ron Luxton of South Canterbury DHB, and new members – Sir John Hansen of Canterbury DHB, David Cull of Southern DHB, and Hon Rick Baker of West Coast DHB.
Jenny Black says she has seen a lot of progress during her time chairing the Board over the past seven years. “While we have a long way to go yet, there have been many achievements to celebrate along the way. The five DHBs are now much more connected, as we continue to collaborate and ensure the delivery of a more sustainable and equitable service for all South Islanders – regardless of rurality, age or culture.”
In terms of regional planning, she says it’s essential that the whole South Island health system is connected – especially important in the new post-COVID-19 health environment. “It must work for everyone. And with three new faces on the Board for 2020, I look forward to working with them, to see how much harder and faster we can go.”Ron Luxton, who has been a member of the South Island Alliance Board since 2016, says that their vision is for a strong public health system for all South Islanders.
“We are constantly working towards a strong patient-centred public health system, where regional services are provided with adequate workforce and care as close to home as possible. This is an excellent opportunity to focus on integration of South Island IT services and providing a truly regional perspective on our future health learning.”
The South Island Alliance hosted the South Island Board induction day in Christchurch, on 13 March. Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director-General of Health, and John Whaanga, Deputy Director-General Māori Health, met with new and existing South Island DHB members, as they listened and learned about Ministry of Health expectations and our region’s alliancing approach.Jenny would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions from outgoing board members, Dr John Wood, Canterbury DHB, and Kathy Grant, Southern DHB.
South Island Alliance Board
Jenny Black (Chair), Nelson Marlborough DHB
Jenny started her career as a dietitian in 1982 and gained her understanding of the ‘healthy to illness’ health care spectrum during her professional practice. Jenny believes in keeping people well and providing care as close to home as possible. She has been Chair of Nelson Marlborough DHB since 2011.
Ron Luxton, South Canterbury DHB
Ron is a retired pharmacist, who owned and operated a community pharmacy in Temuka for 34 years. He is a member of many boards and committees, including chair of the Aoraki MRI Charitable Trust and director of the South Canterbury Eye Clinic. Ron has been part of South Canterbury DHB Board for the past 19 years, including 12 years as Vice Chair and three years as Chair.
Sir John Hansen, Canterbury DHB
Sir John is a retired judge of the High Court of New Zealand and a member of the Courts of Appeal in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. Formerly a member of the Hong Kong Judiciary; Board of New Zealand Cricket; Chair of Forsyth Barr Stadium, Sir John also held a number of post-earthquake roles in Christchurch.
Dave Cull, Southern DHB
Dave became the 57th Mayor of Dunedin in October 2010 and was re-elected in both the 2013 and 2016 mayoral elections. Before politics, he was a presenter for Television New Zealand and an author. David was appointed chair of Southern DHB in 2019.
Hon Rick Barker, West Coast DHB
Rick was raised on the West Coast and was an MP for 18 years and a Cabinet Minister for six. He was elected to the regional council in 2013, representing the Hastings constituency, and was appointed Deputy Chair three years later. Rick was appointed chair of West Coast DHB in 2019.
Collaborative Response Enables Urgent Dental Care
Dr Lester Settle, chair of the South Island Alliance’s Hospital Oral Health Workstream.
Measures taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 have dramatically changed how emergency dental care is being delivered across the South Island, with dentists and DHBs working collaboratively to provide the essential service.
There has been some uncertainty around dental care as it was initially not considered an essential service, says Dr Lester Settle, chair of the South Island Alliance’s Hospital Oral Health Workstream. “Dentistry is particularly difficult as it often sits outside of mainstream health, yet unresolved dental infection can still be life threatening, so it’s really important to seek help if you have any dental concerns.”
To ensure safety for both the patient and dentist, procedures have been put in place, so dental care is available for those who need it. Dentistry is one of the highest risk professions for transmitting viruses such as COVID-19, due to its close range and most dental procedures generating aerosols – tiny droplets that stay suspended in the air for up to an hour, harbouring the virus. For this reason, options for safe dentistry are limited to urgent care. “Toothache, for example, doesn’t necessarily meet guidelines for acute/urgent care, as it is not considered life threatening. But it’s incredibly hard to control with just pain relief at home, so we would encourage people with toothache – or any other dental issues – to contact us.”
The New Zealand Dental Council (NZDC) set regulatory standards for dentists to comply with during level 4, and level 3, including a higher level of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, PPE proved difficult to source by general dentists working in the community.To deal with the challenges of providing a safe service, DHBs worked together to find local solutions.
In Canterbury, the local New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) branch, Community Dental Service (CDS) and Hospital Dental Service (HDS), joined forces to set up a coordinated call centre response for patients with acute dental needs.After basic data is collected, this is then directed to CDS or a general dentist for a free telehealth consultation. If the problem is not deferable, then the patient is directed to a community-based dental practice or the DHB, says Dr Settle. “DHBs have been able to provide emergency practices with small amounts of vital PPE to enable care for those patients presenting through the DHB pathways.”
To enable wider access, Canterbury DHB also redirected funding to increase its subsidy to Community Services Card holders. The call centre currently receives about 80 calls a day during the week, with approximately 160 calls on the first day of the week. Dr Settle says the level of co-ordination and speed to enable the service was unprecedented. “The coordinated response between what are traditionally disparate groups has been inspiring.”
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Alt Key Messages February 2020
2019 South Island Alliance Achievements
Moving Care Out Of The Clinic And Closer To Home
Paediatric Ketogenic Dietitian Charlene Tan-Smith (on screen) using Zoom technology (remote conferencing services using cloud computing) to communicate with Stephanie Emery
A new strategy to improve and expand telehealth services across the South Island has been agreed by the five South Island DHBs.
“Technology is at a level now where, other than a physical presence, there is very little difference between a virtual consultation and a face-to-face appointment,” explains Dr Saxon Connor, a specialist surgeon at Christchurch Hospital.“
Before a consultation, all the assessments have been done so the meeting is about the conversation. In my experience, a nurse or GP is always present with the patient, so I am comfortable that the patient is being supported.”
Smart device technology is already being used across a wide range of services in the South Island to connect clinicians and their patients who are not in the same physical location. Benefits for patients include faster access to care, shorter wait times and reduced travel. Clinicians spend less time traveling and have greater control over scheduling. Telehealth also supports a closer working relationship between specialists and primary care, and a more connected South Island health system that better meets the needs of our community.
The new South Island strategy aims to increase the availability and use of telehealth to the point where it is offered to everyone who could benefit from it. The strategy focuses on six key areas:
- governance
- technology and infrastructure
- staff training and change management
- funding
- embedding into clinical practice
- monitoring and evaluation.
The first step is to appoint a regionally funded telehealth project manager.South Island examples of telehealth in action
More information
Being involved in the community is an important part of leading a fulfilling life following a dementia diagnosis, says Darral Campbell, of Dementia Canterbury. “The most common feedback from the dementia community is that they don’t feel useful anymore, and that they want to give back to the community in some way. They also want to take part in the activities they are interested in, but they don’t feel safe or comfortable to do them anymore.”
