Additional phone lines are being installed in the new combined Grey Medical Centre to alleviate current issues with delays some people are experiencing getting through to the Practice.
As part of an ongoing improvement of services, the West Coast District Health Board has been looking at better phone access during busy periods in the Grey Medical Centre which incorporates the former Rural Academic General Practice.
“Some people may be experiencing difficulty having their calls answered or delays waiting to hear back from the general practice after leaving their details. We know that's frustrating. If people can be as patient as possible, we will phone them back as soon as we can,” West Coast DHB Lead Practice Manager Deb McCarthy says.
“There are appointments available – the waiting time to see a GP is averaging within a couple of days.
“As always, if your health situation is an emergency, phone 111 for an ambulance.”
Patient portal is now available for patients to register which will enable people wanting to make a routine/non-urgent appointment or repeat prescriptions to do this on line. Patients can discuss registration for Patient Portal with their GP at the next appointment.
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Philip Wheble has this week been announced as the new general manager for the West Coast District Health Board.
DHB Chief Executive David Meates says this the new general manager position is an important Coast-based senior leadership role, responsible for working with clinical and operational leaders to enable and support teams to deliver and sustain the broadest range of high quality health services for the whole of the West Coast.
“More than 30 applications from across New Zealand and Australia were received for the role. Phil's appointment follows an interview process involving senior doctors from Greymouth and Westport and nursing, Māori health and allied health leaders from both the West Coast and Canterbury,” Mr Meates says.
Phil and his family moved to the West Coast three and a half years ago, where he was initially appointed DHB Planning and Funding team leader and then Acting General Manager Grey / Westland Health Services. Before working in health, Phil undertook leadership roles in the energy, utilities and service industries.
“It is an exciting time for health services on the Coast. New facilities are well underway in Greymouth and planned for Westport, and new models of care and ways of working are being brought to life. It is in this context that Phil will work with clinical and operational leaders across the West Coast health system to ensure services are integrated and connected to each other – locally and Coast-wide – and that they are as relevant, responsive and accessible to our communities as they can be,” Mr Meates says.
Phil takes up this new position immediately.
Further work would now be undertaken to determine what other changes might be needed to best support the delivery of integrated healthcare services for the Coast. This would include working with teams in Buller, Grey and South Westland to determine local leadership arrangements that ensure the distinctive needs of all of Coast communities were met in a connected and joined-up way.
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In anticipation of the new Grey Integrated Family Health Centre opening next year, two of Greymouth's general practices will merge at the start of July.
The Rural Academic General Practice (RAGP) based on the Grey Base Hospital campus will close and operate out of the Grey Medical Centre on Tainui St.
The West Coast DHB's Interim General Manager Grey / Westland Philip Wheble says apart from turning up to a different building, patients of the RAGP will have better parking, and for patients of both general practices, increased hours.
The combined Grey Medical Centre will be open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, including access to appointments over the lunchtime period.
All current staff will transfer to the combined Grey Medical Centre facility. RAGP practitioner Dr Greville Wood is looking forward to the merger.
“It gives us an opportunity to work together and iron out any difference in the way we operate before we move into the new IFHC. We're looking forward to working closely with our Grey Medical Centre colleagues,” he says.
Patients of both practices can continue to use the phone numbers they are used to. The Grey Medical Centre's phone number is (03) 769 9300.
“It's probably useful for RAGP patients to notify before 1 July the likes of their employers and insurance companies about the change, as their general practice will now be called Grey Medical Centre,” Mr Wheble says.
Patients of both general practices should receive a letter about the merger within the next few days.
More information is available here on the West Coast DHB website:
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In an effort to reduce the number of falls experienced by people on the West Coast, a programme of community awareness events is being produced for “April Falls Month”.
A Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) New Zealand report showed eight incidents on the West Coast in the year to the end of June 2016, five of which were falls-related.
The West Coast health system has traditionally marked April Falls month with posters and information around the DHB's hospital and general practices. This year Falls Prevention Advisor Celia Smith is working with community representatives and businesses in Buller to highlight what people can do to prevent falls.
Libraries and Mitre 10 outlets across the Coast, along with retail store “Headspace” in Westport will have displays and information people can pick up; a series of tai chi “flashmobs” will take place in Buller; and the DHB website and WCDHB Careers Facebook page will feature a short patient story about preventing falls.
“We want to highlight the things people can do in their own lives and homes to try and stay safe,” Celia says.
Tai Chi tutor Sylvia James says her team of tai chi enthusiasts are looking forward to supporting this awareness-raising month.
“We will appear when least expected,” she says. “People might have been a bit shy when I first mooted the idea, but now they're looking forward to showing how beneficial low impact physical activities like tai chi can be, and how much fun,” Sylvia says.
Maori health provider Poutini Waiora Buller Kaitakawaenga/Team Leader Rehia McDonald says she is very keen for kaumatua to hear about how important it is to stay physically active and to ensure their homes are trip-safe.
“Our kaumatua are very precious to us. We know that once people have a fall, their health can be compromised in other ways too – and if they're stuck at home they are in danger of becoming socially isolated. These are things we can all do to look after ourselves and our families. It's important that we inform ourselves,” Rehia says.
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ACC's How safe is your home? Fall Prevention checklist (Click here to download).
Steel works, concrete pouring, kerbing, scaffolding… it's all go!
Free public wifi internet access is now available at Te Nīkau, Grey Hospital & Health Centre (Note that the name of facility in this news item has been updated 28 July 2020).
West Coast DHB Chief Information Officer Miles Roper says the service has been initiated with the help of supplier 2 Degrees.
“It's great to be able to provide this service for our patients and their visitors. It's a small thing we can do to make people feel more comfortable and help them keep in touch with loved ones,” Mr Roper says.
When people turn on the wifi on their mobile device or laptop computer, they will be able to select DHB Public Wifi from the list of options. This will allow patients and their visitors to browse the internet and access emails.
“Most of the Grey Base Hospital campus – in-patient wards, and the corporate services area have the free public Wi-Fi. We are working on making it available also in the Kahurangi dementia unit,” Mr Roper says.
Staff will be looking into the possibility of introducing the service in other West Coast DHB locations over coming months.
More information about the service is available here.
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While some progress has been made with improvements to its processes, the West Coast DHB would still like to understand why some patients do not turn up for appointments.
Nurse Manager Clinical Services Julie Lucas says there's been an increase in missed appointments over the last six months and as part of the ongoing focus on improving services, the DHB will be contacting those patients to check why.
“We need our patients to help us out here. We need to find out if these patients have received their appointment letters in a timely manner, have they received text reminders, or maybe we have incorrect contact details for them,” she says.
“We want to make sure these patients have the best chance of making appointments that may be critical to their ongoing health and wellbeing. In many cases, early diagnosis can improve outcomes substantially for patients.”
Patients unable to attend an appointment time sent to them are encouraged to phone the hospital on 03 769 7400 to set up an alternative time.
“As well as ensuring people are seen at a time that better suits, this means the original appointment time can be scheduled for another patient.”
If travel or transport is an issue for people, the DHB might be able to offer some suggestions. Red Cross runs a service from Buller to Greymouth and St John runs a shuttle from Hokitika and the Grey Valley to Greymouth. Maori health provider Poutini Waiora provides assistance for Maori patients as well.
Where people have changed phone numbers or moved recently, they should contact their general practice team, who will record changes on the shared patient database.
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The West Coast DHB has confirmed that no staff will lose their jobs immediately as a result of the recent Laundry Service change proposal.
The recent consultation proposed the disestablishment of the West Coast District Health Board on-site laundry service. That included:
Canterbury and West Coast District Health Board Support Services Manager Rachel Cadle says the changes were mooted in anticipation of operating a new a roll-on| roll off linen service in the new Grey health facility. The agreed new service will improve health and safety for WCDHB staff with a reduction in heavy lifting and improve infection control measures with a reduction in double handling.
Patient clothing will continue to be laundered on site as now, with laundry staff undertaking those duties.
When the new facility opens, there will be a new role at that time to undertake residual laundry service tasks such as laundering patient clothing. Current laundry staff will be able to apply for that role, or offered redeployment options.
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The West Coast DHB has appointed a Temporary Manager at Greymouth's Granger House (incorporating Richard Seddon Hospital) aged residential care facility.
Carolyn Gullery, General Manager, Planning, Funding & Decision Support for Canterbury and West Coast DHBs says the Temporary Manager, Mary Pecekajus, has started this week.
“Mary is a registered nurse with expertise in aged residential care facility management. She has been appointed to lead and support improvements at the Kiwiannia Care Ltd aged residential care service to address some issues around care of residents and management of the facility,” Ms Gullery says.
The Temporary Manager's role is to work with and assist the owner of Kiwiannia Care Ltd and the DHB as the funder of services, to understand the areas of good service quality and also to identify and act on the areas that require improvement. The DHB will be monitoring and supporting this quality improvement process as required.
“Mary knows what is required to ensure quality care of frail elderly people in residential services. She understands HealthCERT and what is needed to rectify the high risk findings identified in the recent audit.”
There are no anticipated changes to usual routines and visiting for residents and their families while the Temporary Manager is in place.
Should residents or their families have any concerns or questions, they are able to contact Alison Young, Project Specialist, Planning and Funding, Canterbury DHB, phone 0800 778 226.
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Greymouth rest home Kowhai Manor will close by 31 March, as the Ministry of Health has withdrawn certification following a recent audit.
Kowhai Manor is currently home to 24 residents.
Canterbury and West Coast DHB General Manager Planning and Funding Carolyn Gullery says most importantly these residents need to be looked after according to their needs and the immediate focus is on working with residents and their families to find new homes.
Because of limited aged residential care bed availability on the West Coast, the West Coast DHB will manage a fair and transparent process to prioritise where residents can go.
A meeting is being held tonight with residents of Kowhai Manor and their families, to provide important information about the process of finding a new home for each resident.
Representatives from Kiwiannia Care Ltd and the DHB will be present.
Any residents or family members with queries regarding the assessment or moving to a new facility, contact Diane Brockbank, Manager Complex Clinical Care Network, phone 03 768 0477 or 0800 778 226.
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Update: This video (Still available on request) was removed from this website: 7 April 2025.)
Minister Steven Joyce visits new Grey Base health facilities site.
Construction within the Grey Base Hospital grounds continues and the ‘Temporary Car Park' on Water Walk Road will be closed from 23 January until 29 January.
Following that closure, nine of the Temporary Car Parks will be permanently closed to allow for the construction of the generator slab for the new facility. Site fencing will be erected in the locations outlined in the maps below.
View map: Closure 23 January 2017
View map: Closure 27 January 2017
Update: This video (Still available on request) was removed from this website: 7 April 2025.)
West Coast Health new facilities in Greymouth
The West Coast District Health Boards wants to reassure patients that the Grey and Westport sexual health clinics continue to operate as usual.
A recent article about the pending closure of the Greymouth Family Planning Clinic has caused some confusion, Grey / Westland Interim General Manager Philip Wheble says.
“The DHB's sexual health clinics are a separate free and confidential service available to all New Zealanders. The clinics offer assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and other sexual health conditions, and also provide pregnancy testing, advice and referrals (including abortion referrals),” Mr Wheble says.
“Smears (if due) are done as part of the STI screen and the only contraception provision available is the emergency contraceptive pill and condoms. The sexual health service can also provide off-site education and screening as required.”
Sexual health clinic details:
The Link Clinic, 1st Floor, Grey Hospital, GREYMOUTH.
Monday: 2.30 – 6 pm drop in clinic (need to be there by 5.30pm) Ph (03) 769 7400 ext 2874 (clinic hours only).
Outpatients, Buller Hospital
WEDNESDAY 10.30 – 11.30 am appointments, then drop in clinic till 4.30pm (last appointment 4pm). Ph (03) 788 9030 ext 8756 (clinic hours only).
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The number of falls experienced by patients of the West Coast health system shows there is more preventative work to be done in this area, West Coast DHB Chief Executive David Meates says.
A Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) New Zealand report ‘Making Our Hospitals Safer' released today shows eight incidents in the year to the end of June 2016, five of which were falls-related. Two other events were due to errors around clinical process, and the remaining event was a surgical injury that occurred during a procedure.
“We can see that even though we have several initiatives around preventing falls, we have some work to do. Falls can be very serious for those whose health is fragile. Over the past few months we've introduced a new Falls Prevention Service, more training and education, more published information for patients and their families and clinicians. We absolutely need to continue to focus our efforts on reducing patient falls both in health facilities and in the community,” Mr Meates says.
He says it was important staff continued to report any event where patient safety and health was compromised.
“Preventing adverse events relies on our continued efforts to review and learn from mistakes when they happen. It's important staff feel supported to speak up for us to improve what we're doing, or learn from what went wrong.
“Ensuring we remain transparent and have an open reporting culture is key to us being able to make the necessary changes to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again.”
Mr Meates says when harm does occur, it's never easy for those involved.
“Our staff come to work every day with the aim of improving people's health. If a patient's condition deteriorates unexpectedly and suddenly, it can have a devastating effect,” he says. “We have an obligation to our patients, their family and whanau to be open and transparent and be honest about the care we've provided – even if it hasn't gone to plan.”
The HQSC report can be accessed via the Health Quality and Safety Commission website.. The report on the West Coast DHB's serious adverse events can be viewed here.
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This latest issue covers the topics of Getting started, security and noise, Keep track of us, milestones and more.
Redevelopment Update Newsletter
West Coasters are being urged to follow some simple steps in order to avoid getting a serious illness linked to gardening.
Dr Cheryl Brunton, West Coast Medical Officer of Health, says at this time of year we begin to see increases in Legionnaires' disease.
“In spring every year the number of people with Legionnaires' disease begins to climb. This seasonal surge is mostly linked to gardeners catching Legionnaires' disease from potting mix or compost.
“After a long winter it's great to get back in the garden and make the most of the longer, warmer days, but please make sure you avoid inhaling the dust from potting mix or compost as this can be dangerous,” she says.
She said you can catch the disease, which is a form of pneumonia, by inhaling airborne droplets or particles that contain the Legionella bacteria.
Symptoms normally include coughing, high fever, chills, shortness of breath, chest pains, headaches, nausea, abdominal pain and excessive sweating. Dr Brunton said anyone who experiences these symptoms should see their general practice team immediately and also let them know if they have been handling potting mix or compost.
It is important gardeners follow five simple steps to avoid catching Legionnaires' disease from potting mix or compost:
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In an effort to ensure parks are available when patients and visitors need them, the West Coast DHB is now limiting patient and visitor parks to four hours.
Work being carried out on the site for the new hospital has meant a handful of car parks are no longer accessible.
Grey Westland General Manager Mark Newsome says the priority remains being able to provide spaces for patients.
“To help achieve this, we've marked out 78 car parks that are allocated just for patients and their visitors, with four hour time limits. A further 173 car parks are available for general use, along with 11 parks for people with accessibility issues.
“The DHB will undertake its own monitoring of the parks, and will consider towing offending vehicles,”Mr Newsome says.
Later this month the DHB will need to temporarily close 19 car parks outside of the Corporate Services building to allow for the installation of new stormwater and sewer manholes in the car park. This area will be blocked off for a minimum of four days, but this will not affect the patient and visitor parking, just general parking areas.
“We appreciate people's patience during this construction phase. If any patients or visitors are ever struggling to find a park, it would be helpful to let our staff know. We believe we've got the balance about right for now and into the future.”
To view a map indicating the different Grey Hospital parking areas, click here.
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Update: This video (Still available on request) was removed from this website: 7 April 2025.)
A new Grey Hospital and Integrated Family Health Centre are being built in Greymouth. This is an update on how it's going.
The West Coast health system is doing well in its planning and implementation for Māori health, the Ministry of Health has said in approving the area's Māori Health Plan.
In a letter to the DHB Chief Executive David Meates and Board Chair Peter Ballantyne, the Ministry has applauded the DHB particularly for exceeding two of the Māori health indicator targets around breast screening and immunisation. The DHB exceeded the target (70%) for Māori women breast screened between March 2015 and March 2016. The West Coast screening rate was 73%.
The DHB also exceeded the target (95%) for immunisation – 100% of eight month-old West Coast Māori babies were fully immunised at March 2016.
“Your DHB has achieved the highest coverage rate across all DHBs,” the Ministry's letter said.
General Manager Maori Health Gary Coghlan says the plan is collectively owned by all those delivering health services on the West Coast, including Māori health provider Poutini Waiora, the West Coast Primary Health Organisation, and Community and Public Health, along with pharmacies and other health providers.
“The West Coast Māori Health Action Plan maps clear and defined pathways that enable the delivery of accessible and appropriate health services for all Māori who live on Te Tai Poutini. In line with its responsibility the DHB is using this Action Plan to challenge its performance and also that of its providers, in relation to Māori health,” Mr Coghlan says.
“The statistics for Māori health on the Coast paint a sobering picture. We must improve those and be held accountable for doing so.
“Of course we are proud of increasing breast screening for our Māori wahine, and reaching 100% immunisation for our Māori babies. There's other targets we need to focus on, around reducing the number of Māori smoking, ensuring more Māori are getting heart and diabetes checks, and also making sure Māori are connecting with health services when they have a need.”
Full information on the West Coast DHB's Māori Health Plan can be found on this website.
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A 140-year-old footbridge over railway lines linking Cowper St to the current Grey Base Hospital has been closed following an engineering assessment.
On Friday the West Coast DHB received a preliminary engineering report outlining potential concerns about the safety of the footbridge.
Before 5pm the footbridge was roped off and staff advised that access was no longer safe.
West Coast DHB General Manager Mark Newsome says plans have been found for the bridge that date the original structure to around 1875, with alterations from a road bridge to a foot/cycle bridge around 1968.
“There have been additions and repairs over time, however it was timely to do a thorough assessment of the structure. We have acted rapidly to mitigate any risk to users whilst we await the final report.”
The DHB would make a decision about the future of the footbridge when that report was received.
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How do you connect with nature? And how does it make you feel?
A Buller group organising an event from 10 – 16 October to support wellbeing for this year's Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is looking for input from locals.
Buller MHAW coordinator Ade Holland says she would love locals to send her their ideas, to be used as part of a display in the Westport Clocktower Building on Wednesday 12 October.
“We know there's all sorts of ways people ‘Connect with Nature' – gardening, fishing, tramping, star-gazing, swimming, walking on the beach or in the bush, even just being outdoors. We want people to send us 20 words on how they ‘Connect with Nature', and also tell us how it makes them feel. We're going to print these and put them around the walls in the venue for this year's Buller MHAW event,” Ade says.
The organisers are looking for local groups and individuals who might want to be involved on the day, participating in activities or perhaps offering demonstrations or teaching something to do with the theme.
“We've got a few things sorted already, but the more the merrier. Groups can just contact me at Buller Health, (03) 788-9234, if they want to be part of the day. And anyone can send me their 20 words on how they ‘Connect with Nature', plus how it makes them feel. They can either put their name to it, or be anonymous. We're hoping people who drop in during the day will be inspired by reading about how others ‘Connect with Nature.'”
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Update: This video (Still available on request) was removed from this website: 7 April 2025.)
Piling begins on new Grey Base Hospital site.
Update: This video (Still available on request) was removed from this website: 7 April 2025.)
What's underway and what's about to be started on the new Grey Base Hospital and Integrated Family Health Centre site
Fees for routine consultations with your own West Coast District Health Board general practice increase by 50 cents with the new fee schedule being introduced next month.
People can pick up the new West Coast DHB fee schedule at their general practices, or view it right here on this website (click here).
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A new endoscopy tower at the Grey Base Hospital means surgeons can see more clearly when they need to carry out gastroscopies and colonoscopies.
The equipment replaces technology that was about eight years old. It is used to visualise areas of the stomach and bowel to look for potential health problems
Grey Base Hospital Clinical Nurse Manager Wendy Stuart says along with the new endoscopy tower, a new gastroscope and colonoscope have been obtained, and further scopes will be ordered annually, as older technology is retired.
“On an average day, we would do maybe four colonoscopies in the morning and four in the afternoon. On a day when we are just doing gastroscopes we can do between 10 and 12. These special scopes are rotated through a complex cleaning cycle after each use. We have been incredibly efficient at looking after our equipment, so the most recent scope that became unrepairable is 13 years old. Generally they have a lifespan of between five and eight years,” Wendy says.
The new tower, gastroscope and colonoscope will assist in detecting illnesses such as bowel cancer, which is the most commonly reported cancer in New Zealand, with approximately 3000 cases and 1200 deaths each year.
On the days when these colonoscopy and gastroscopy procedures are arranged, it is important that people attend their appointments. If patients cannot attend, it is preferable that they let the hospital know (03 769 7400) several days beforehand, so another patient might be able to use that appointment time. As much notice as possible is helpful as our patients are required to prepare for procedures with a special diet and medication in advance.
People who are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and receive treatment when it is at an early stage, have a 90 percent chance of long term survival. If there is a delay in diagnosis and treatment, and the cancer may become more advanced, it is harder to cure. This is where the new DHB equipment comes in as it provides better tools to detect the likes of bowel cancer early on.
Common signs and symptoms of bowel cancer include:
Although these symptoms are often caused by other conditions, it is important to get them checked by your doctor.
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The car park outside corporate offices will be closed from Monday morning 11 July, however, a new temporary car park has been built for all to use off Waterwalk Rd.
Please remember, it's not safe to park on the Waterwalk Rd verge as it restricts the view of drivers leaving the Waterwalk Rd car park and could be hazardous, especially with the increased traffic into the construction site.
Overall increases in community need, challenges in recruitment and retention of workers, viability of services, and the need for co-ordination are key themes in the Buller Community Profile released this week.
Launching the report yesterday to the Buller Interagency Forum which commissioned the profile, West Coast Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton said, “many of the indicators discussed in this Profile show concerning trends, however, the considerable human, natural and organisational capital available within the Buller should not be underestimated.”
Dr Brunton was impressed at the commitment of the staff of agencies who took part in more than 80 interviews to provide information for the Profile.
“It is a snapshot of a community with many challenges. Job losses, decline in traditional industries, old housing stock, changing population dynamics and difficulties in recruiting and retaining specialist staff are all factors putting pressure on Buller communities and their health, education and social service providers.”
Buller Interagency Forum Chair and West Coast DHB General Manager Buller Kathleen Gavigan says the Profile pulls together great information and an analysis of what's going on in Buller.
“The launch of the Buller Community Profile is a celebration of agencies working together to strengthen the Buller community. It enables the Buller Interagency Forum to focus on what we can do to reduce the load currently being experienced by agencies and people in our communities.” Ms Gavigan says.
Buller Mayor Garry Howard welcomed the Profile, saying it painted a clear picture of the situation in Buller.
“The Profile confirms the reality of our challenges, and provides us with information that will help us plan for the future together more strategically. We all want a brighter future for our residents. We now have a benchmark and can work with Government and non-Government agencies to enhance services. What's next is that all the agencies will get together and start working on those plans.”
The report acknowledges the contribution of Buller REAP in the collection of data and providing invaluable local knowledge contributing to the final report. Pete Howard, in his role as Buller Community Development Facilitator, assisted in interviewing representatives of local agencies.
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Update: This video (Still available on request) was removed from this website: 7 April 2025.)
View our video that introduces Fletchers' Sam who talks about a new path (now completed), and fencing
The Ministry of Health has offered a contract to Community and Public Health to deliver the new West Coast Stop Smoking Service replacing the existing Aukati KaiPaipa service for Maori.
West Coast Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton says the team is pleased to be working with Healthy West Coast Alliance partners to provide a new smoking cessation model to meet the needs of all smokers in the West Coast District.
“The new service provides an opportunity to have a more integrated, coordinated and cohesive stop smoking service for the West Coast. The model has a patient-centred approach aimed to get the best cessation outcomes for the individual,” Dr Brunton says.
Key partners are Poutini Waiora, West Coast DHB and the West Coast PHO, all members of the Healthy West Coast governance group.
Dr Brunton says the new service is more flexible, aimed at meeting individual needs and circumstances and recognising that not one size fits all. The free service will include free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), along with a mixture of face-to-face and other support such as group sessions.
The new Stop Smoking Service will be available for all people who want help to quit but with a priority on increased access for Maori, Pacific and pregnant women.
Other West Coast services which offer smoking cessation advice are continuing.
For referrals and more information, please contact 0800 456 121.
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The West Coast DHB Consumer Council is looking for more representatives to provide advice to the West Coast health system.
The Consumer Council was established in 2014 as a way for consumers to have a strong voice in planning, designing and delivering services on the West Coast.
The Consumer Council is invited to participate in, and comment on, many of the West Coast DHB initiatives to enhance a patient's experience.
The council is made up of a range of people, with diverse backgrounds and areas of interest. Their brief includes:
The Consumer Council meets approximately two-monthly in Greymouth, generally for around two hours. Council members are appointed for two years, and need to have a general understanding of West Coast health issues. A young person with an interest in health issues would be particularly welcome, Chair Barbara Holland says.
“Consumer Council members are now routinely asked to participate in working groups. That way we can ensure real feedback for DHB planners and other staff in terms of what is working well, as well as what could do with improvements, from a patient point of view,” she says.
Expressions of interest should be sent to
Consumer Council Admin Support, Julie Bell
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West Coast District Health Board Chair Peter Ballantyne has applauded the Government's commitment to the health of West Coasters with today's announcement of extra funding to allow the new Grey Base facilities to proceed.
After preferred contractor Fletchers Construction conducted a full tender of sub-trades and detailed design work to refine costs and reduce risks, the Minister of Health has approved an extra $9.7 million to build what is now a $77.8 million new Grey Base Hospital and Integrated Family Health Centre.
“The project team, led by West Coast clinicians, will be much relieved that the Government is going to ensure these much needed facilities get built. Thousands of hours of West Coast time has been put into researching, analysing and developing the best facility possible to meet the needs of Coasters. We are thrilled to hear construction will start next week,” Mr Ballantyne says.
He said everyone involved appreciated that the facilities will proceed with no reduction in scope.
The 8,500 square metre facility adjacent to the current Grey Base Hospital includes 56 in-patient beds, three operating theatres, and an integrated family health centre to support the delivery of primary healthcare services. It will also house and support the delivery of other clinical services including a 24/7 emergency department, critical care unit, acute and planned medical and surgical services, maternity services, and outpatient care.
He also welcomed the news that the new hospital was expected to open in the first quarter of 2018.
“We can now start planning around the new opening dates and it will be a huge relief to the people of the Coast that there will be no further foreseeable delays in getting their new base hospital.
“The Minister of Health has also confirmed that the Hospitals Redevelopment Partnership Group will assume oversight of the Buller IFHC development.”
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All DHB clinics are running as normal in South Westland today. If any patients are unable to make it to their appointments, it would be useful to ring their local clinic and let them know, and alternative appointments can be arranged.
If you feel ill, seek assistance or advice. Contact your GP in the first instance.
If it's an emergency dial 111.
The Red Cross has set up a welfare centre in the Franz Josef Town Hall for those who have been displaced due to flooding.
Boil or treat all water from taps before drinking, brushing teeth or using in food preparation.
Bringing water to the boil is sufficient to kill bugs. Water needs to be boiled even if the smell or taste of chlorine is present. If you cannot boil water, treat it by adding 1 teaspoon of household bleach per 10 litres of water and leave for 30 minutes.
The Council and Public Health are working together to test water supplies in the region and will update this advice as soon as we have a clear idea of how the water supply has been impacted by the flooding.
Employers should also make sure their staff are only consuming boiled or bottled water at work. This applies even for workplaces with self-supplied water, until testing can be completed and the supply can be cleared of risk.
Don't forget about your usual medications – talk with your general practice team about ensuring you have enough.
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Two minutes after West Coast District Health Board Rural Hospital Medicine Registrar Adele Pheasant referred a patient using the South Island Electronic Request Management System (ERMS), another doctor hit the big time.
West Coast health professionals are joining South Island colleagues in celebrating the one millionth referral using an electronic system to ensure patients get seen by the right people.
“I actually didn't know I was making the 999,999th referral,” Dr Pheasant says. “I've used the ERMS system for a few years now and it's invaluable on the Coast – it's secure, it's so much better than the old paper-based system, and I feel confident that my patients will be followed up by the right people.”
“Development of the South Island Electronic Request Management System (ERMS) began in Canterbury in 2009. Through collaboration between district health boards, the system was implemented across the entire South Island, effectively enabling referrals across DHB boundaries anywhere in the South Island, and offering a faster, smoother health journey to over a million people.
Using ERMS, general practice teams make a referral or request for specialist advice via an electronic form, which is submitted directly to a secure database. From there, requests are delivered automatically to any one of over 700 South Island community and hospital services, both public and private.
“ERMS is infinitely more efficient than the old paper-based referral system,” South Island Information Services Service Level Alliance Chair Andrew Bowers says. “GPs and other referrers can select the most appropriate and convenient specialist provider and will be able to track their referrals, which provides certainty, clarity and transparency across the system.
“It's been really positive witnessing how the five South Island DHBs have worked together to reach this point. We now have one system across the whole region, which means more than a million people now have better access to high quality care when they need it.”
Canterbury and West Coast District Health Boards Chief Executive David Meates was proud the South Island health system had reached this significant milestone.
“More than a million everyday successes add up to one very significant one. ERMS makes sure a request gets a response, helps protect patient privacy, and cuts waste out of the system but saving everyone's time,” Mr Meates says.
A Dunedin GP Dr Jan Cottle made the one millionth referral last Friday.
Ends
A new service offering greater access to booking general practice appointments in South Westland will become operational on Monday 21 March when a three month trial begins.
People sometimes struggle to contact services in South Westland to book appointments at a time convenient for them. South Westland area staff receive thousands of phone calls a year, and sometimes have to deal with multiple callouts at night and on during the weekend, for health matters that are non-urgent.
The West Coast District Health Board has contracted tele-triage services provider Homecare Medical to support local staff and communities.
“It's important we look after both patients and staff,” DHB General Manager Grey/Westland Mark Newsome says.
“The Homecare Medical virtual medical receptionist phone service will mean greater access for our community to book appointments, and reduce the after-hours burden on our staff,” Mr Newsome says.
“How it will work is that people will continue to ring their local clinic number or 0800 SWHealth (0800 7943 2584), which will now be answered by Homecare Medical receptionists who will be able to book appointments. This service will be offered Monday to Saturday from 8.30am to 6pm.
Homecare Medical registered nurses will continue to provide support outside those hours and, when appropriate, transfer the call through to one of our South Westland nurses. During the trial we will be assessing the possibility of further extending the time when people can book appointments,” he says.
“Of course people should ring 111 if they have a medical emergency.”
Members of the communities in the following areas are welcome to drop in and meet new DHB staff based in South Westland and Homecare Medical representatives at the following times/locations:
Tuesday 8 March:
Haast Clinic, 12noon
Franz Josef Clinic, 7.00pm
Wednesday 9 March:
Hari Hari Clinic, 10.15am
Mr Newsome says there will be a three month trial to ensure the expected benefits for both staff and communities are achieved.
“We will also be listening to our staff and our community during this time about their experiences of the new service.”
If people have queries about how the new system will work or want to provide feedback, they can contact (Note: email address removed, as no longer used for this purpose).
Homecare Medical is a New Zealand company with hubs in Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.
Ends
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Page last updated: 20 May 2019
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