Employment Opportunities
(recent additions)
Select any to find out more
| Physiotherapists, Greymouth & Buller |
| Associate Director of Nursing: Clinical Practice Development |
| Maintenance Fitter, Greymouth |
Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings
(July)
| Date | Meeting | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wed, 8 July | DSAC | 10.00 AM | Boardroom, Corporate Office |
| Thu, 9 July | CPHAC | 1.00 PM | Boardroom, Corporate Office |
| Fri, 10 July | HAC | 10.00 AM | Boardroom, Corporate Office |
| Fri, 24 July | Board | 10.00 AM | Boardroom, Corporate Office |
>>More
Hot Off the Press
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Thursday, 2 July 2009
West Coast DHB and CPIT combine forces for new nursing initiative
Prospective students in the greater Canterbury and West Coast regions wanting to study CPIT's Bachelor of Nursing off-site, can now do so thanks to a new blended-delivery training scheme initiated by CPIT and the West Coast District Health Board.
A collaborative project for CPIT and the West Coast DHB, the pilot scheme offers students unable to commit to onsite study at CPIT in Christchurch, the opportunity to attend study blocks in Christchurch supported by periods of online learning. Most clinical placements can be arranged to be completed near their home base.
Dr Cathy Andrew, CPIT's Head of Nursing, says the pilot scheme will create future employment opportunities for those living in rural areas in the greater Canterbury and West Coast regions.
"The new blended-delivery programme enables us to work effectively with healthcare providers, by helping develop their future staffing needs. The scheme also helps students unable to commit to full-time, onsite study to successfully complete our Bachelor of Nursing programme," she says.
>>More
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Thursday, 2 July 2009
Swine Flu Update 16
The numbers of people diagnosed with swine influenza A(H1N1) on the West Coast continues to rise with six confirmed cases from both urban and rural areas. Today there are two people in the Buller District, three in the Grey District and one in the Westland District. This is the total number of people who have had the swine influenza A(H1N1) confirmed by laboratory testing. There are likely to be many more people who have contracted influenza and are following the recommended procedure of staying at home and keeping warm and hydrated.
If you are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms and feel that you need to see a doctor it is important that you phone the surgery, clinic or hospital first. If you are unsure whether you should see a doctor or not, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 or the clinic itself.
Please do not turn up at the surgery, clinic or hospital unannounced. All medical facilities have plans regarding how best to attend to the needs of patients suffering from the flu. By following the instructions you will be given over the phone you will be helping to safeguard other patients and staff from infection.
>>More
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Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Progress on DHB Collaboration
Collaboration between the West Coast and Nelson Marlborough District Health Boards could now extend to include Canterbury District Health Board.
This follows the announcement in early May 2009 that Nelson Marlborough and West Coast DHBs were seeking greater levels of collaboration both to effect cost savings and to support clinical delivery.
"Investigations undertaken by independent consultants have reached a preliminary conclusion that there are limited gains to be made in the sharing of non-clinical management and operational functions. The benefits are to some extent offset by the tyranny of distance. However, there are more fruitful opportunities in the clinical area," says Suzanne Win, chair, Nelson Marlborough DHB.
Canterbury and West Coast DHBs have had a long term clinical relationship and Nelson Marlborough has had the same with both Canterbury and Wellington DHBs. The preliminary discussions and investigations have indicated further opportunities that could conceivably extend between the three DHBs.
"What has become obvious is that time and care needs to be taken to identify the opportunities and structure programmes and relationships that derive tangible benefits. Much of the success will come from familiarity and trust relationships between the people involved. This is as important, if not more important than systems and processes" said Rex Williams, Chair of West Coast DHB.
>>More
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Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Swine Flu Update 15
Currently on the West Coast we have had one confirmed case and four probable cases of swine influenza A(H1N1) in the Westport area and one confirmed case and one probable cases in the Greymouth area.
If you are feeling unwell with flu-like symptoms and feel that you need to see a doctor it is important that you phone the surgery, clinic or hospital first. If you are unsure whether you should see a doctor or not, phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 or the clinic itself.
Please do not turn up at the surgery, clinic or hospital unannounced. All medical facilities have plans regarding how best to attend to the needs of patients suffering from the flu. By following the instructions you will be given over the phone you will be helping to safeguard other patients and staff from infection.
Phone Healthline (0800 611 116) or your healthcare provider for health advice.
>>More
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Swine Flu Update 14
Currently on the West Coast we have had one confirmed case and four probable cases of swine influenza A(H1N1) in the Westport area and one confirmed case and two probable cases in the Greymouth area.
West Coast Medical Officer of Health, Dr Cheryl Brunton, offers some advice for those who might be contemplating Swine flu parties.
"While it may seem like a good idea to get what has been described as a mild-moderate illness now and become immune so as to be protected from later, potentially more serious waves of the disease, this logic is flawed for a couple of important reasons".
- The new strain of influenza (A/H1N1 or 'swine flu') has been described as mild-moderate, but it's still influenza, and not the common cold.People with the infection will still have several days of illness with fever, cough, muscle aches, headache and will have to stay home from work or school until they are well. Some, who are at higher risk of complications, will get seriously unwell and may need hospitalisation and a few will die. What we know from the epidemiology of the disease so far is that some of the conditions that put people at risk of serious complications form this infection are common ones, like asthma and pregnancy, and that younger people are bearing the brunt of this infection. In the case of usual seasonal influenza, it is the elderly and those with chronic diseases who are at most risk of complications and death.
- The other issue is the question of protection from a second, more serious wave of infection. We don't actually know how this pandemic will evolve and there's no guarantee that there will be a second (or more) waves of more serious disease. This might happen, or the disease might die out altogether, or it might mutate or recombine with seasonal influenza viruses and increase in virulence - we simply don't know. So, deliberately getting infected with swine flu now is a long shot to take with your health in the present to reduce an unknown risk in the future.
>>More
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Mental Health Unit to become Smokefree
After much planning and preparation, the Mental Health unit at Grey Base Hospital is becoming smokefree on 1 July 2009.
In 2004, the West Coast District Health Board declared all other facilities, grounds and car parks to be smokefree. The mental health area needed more input and support to make this change, so the smokefree coordinator has worked with management, staff and community mental health non government organizations to bring about this change.
Hecta Williams, General Manager Mental Health said, "This is a great step forward in focusing on the total health of patients and staff in Manaakitanga. The District Health Board appreciates all the work put in to enable the mental health unit to become smokefree."
Smoking addiction has a big impact on people's health. Current health statistics show the devastating impact of the high smoking rates of mental health clients, such as a significantly higher incidence of cancer, respiratory and cardiac illness. Smoking also reduces the effects of many of the medications that are used to treat mental illness resulting in clients who smoke needing to be on higher doses. This can lead to an increase in the likelihood of side effects from the medication.
>>More
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Monday, 29 June 2009
Safe Staffing and Healthy Workplaces
The West Coast District Health Board has recently been chosen to become a Safe Staffing Healthy Workplace (SSHW) national Demonstration Site.
All District Health Boards were invited to submit proposals to become a SSHW national Demonstration Site and three have been chosen; the other sites being Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Counties Manakau District Health Board
>>More
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Monday, 29 June 2009
HEHA nutrition funding benefits children on the West Coast
Healthy Eating - Healthy Action (HEHA) promotes an environment and society where individuals, families and whanau, and communities are supported to eat well, live physically active lives, and attain and maintain a healthy body weight.
>>More
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Monday, 29 June 2009
Swine Flu Update 13
A second case of swine influenza A (H1N1) has been confirmed on the West Coast with a male teenager in the Greymouth area both testing positive for the virus.
>>More
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009
A new initiative for Maori pregnant women and their whanau living on the Coast
A Matauranga Haputanga - antenatal education programme is to be established on the West Coast.
>>More
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Disruption to Elective Services
Some of the elective surgery that was planned for next week at Grey Base Hospital has had to be postponed. Those patients affected by this disruption will have been already contacted by the District Health Board.
Patients who have procedures scheduled for next week who have not received notice of any disruption should present themselves to the hospital at the already arranged time.
>>More
Upcoming Events
Board & Committee Meetings
| Committee | Date | Time | Venue | When downloadable papers become available: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board | Fri, 24 July 2009 | 10:00 am | Boardroom, Corporate Office Greymouth |
Wed, 22 July, 10:00am |
| CPHAC | Tue, 7 July 2009 | 1:00 pm |
Boardroom, Corporate Office Greymouth | Thu, 9 July, 1:00pm |
| DSAC | Mon, 6 July 2009 | 10:00 am | Boardroom, Corporate Office Greymouth |
Wed, 8 July, 10:00am |
| HAC | Wed, 8 July 2009 | 10:00 am |
Boardroom, Corporate Office Greymouth |
Fri, 10 July, 10:00am |
Healthy Eating, Health Action (HEHA)
Learn more about how to stay healthy
No meetings scheduled yet.
Training Meetings
We aren't aware of any upcoming Training Meetings.
If you would like to announce a training meeting, please email the West Coast DHB IT Help Desk:
Swine Flu H1N1 Influenza Information, Media Releases, Updates
Click here to take you straight to our dedicated Influenza page.
Pandemic Influenza
Current Alert Status
Code: YELLOW
| White | Yellow | Red | Green |
|---|---|---|---|
Important Information
As the virus spreads around the world, the chance of widespread community transmission in New Zealand is increasing. There are some simple measures to help keep you and your family safe.
Practise the basic rules to reduce the risk of infection:
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Wash hands with soap and water, and dry thoroughly
- If you are sick, stay away from work and school
If you get sick and think it may be influenza, you should phone Healthline on 0800 611 116, or your doctor.
| Symptoms of influenza include: | |
|---|---|
| Fever and chills | Coughing or sneezing |
| Headache and a sore throat | Body aches and pains |
| A sore chest | Extreme tiredness |
>>More about the Pandemic Influenza Alert Status
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Events Calendar - Awareness Calendar 2008
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What's New?
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009
JULY CLINIC ROSTER NOW AVAILABLE FOR FRANZ JOSEF CLINIC
This roster can from now on be viewed in the 'Services' Section. Browse to South Westland and there click on 'Clinics'.
The direct link to this section is:
Franz Josef Clinic's July 2009 Roster -
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
JULY HEALTH REPORT NOW AVAILABLE FOR FRANZ JOSEF CLINIC
This report can also be viewed in the Franz Josef Clinic's News Section.
The direct link to this section is:
Franz Josef Clinic News -
Thursday, 28 May 2009
JUNE CLINIC ROSTER NOW AVAILABLE FOR FRANZ JOSEF CLINIC
This roster can from now on be viewed in the 'Services' Section. Browse to South Westland and there click on 'Clinics'.
The direct link to this section is:
Franz Josef Clinic's June 2009 Roster
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Wednesday, 27 May 2009
NEW LETTERS OF EXPECTATIONS WEB-SECTION
Annually the Minister of Health advises each District Health Board of the government’s expectations of the Board’s performance in the forthcoming year. The Board of the West Coast District Health Board also advises management of their expectations. Both of these letters of expectations now available on our website inform and guide the planning processes of the DHB for the next year.
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Wednesday, 20 May 2009
HEHA INTRODUCES NUTRITION FUND CHANGES
The Ministry of Health has spent the last few months refocusing the Healthy Eating - Healthy Action (HEHA) Strategy to achieve more of a balance between increasing physical activity and improving nutrition.
Booking Our Facilities
Whānau House
Health and Safety Message
May 2009
Waste Disposal
Low Fees
at all
Primary Care Practices
The West Coast DHB has implemented the Very Low Cost Access scheme for patients at all its primary care practices. This helps keep fees very low for people who can least afford primary health care and improve health outcomes for those likely to have the worst health.
Patients enrolled with the West Coast PHO can have a standard consultation in normal clinic hours for the costs below.
- $0.00 for children under six years of age;
- $10.50 for children 6 - 17 years;
- $16.00 for adults aged 18 years and over.