Vol 2, no 81, 17 February 2010

Vol 2, no 81, 17 Februry 2010

Heart Recovery and Better Breathing programmes

Image used in the Toi Ora Better Breathing and Heart Recovery Programme pamphletd. Brett Mead Photography.
By Helen Peterson

Heard of the Toi Ora Embrace Life Heart Recovery or Better Breathing programme? They are the re-branded, better performing, versions of Turanganui PHO’s Cardio and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programmes.

The two eight-week courses, which were first introduced last year, have been renamed the Better Breathing Programme and the Heart Recovery Programme from early this month and initial feedback has been positive, says PHO HealthRight Manager and Nurse Practitioner Diane Williams.

“The focus is helping people with chronic heart or respiratory conditions to successfully manage themselves and get on with enjoying life,” she said. "Toi Ora, Embrace Life."

Referred people receive knowledge, skills and the motivation to carry out safe exercise and learn the benefits of healthy eating and correct management of medicines.

Diane said resources for the programmes are now easier to read and more meaningful for people taking part, says Diane.

Click here to read the new Better Breathing and Heart Recovery pamphlets. General Practices will soon receive their printed hard copies.

In another change, Turanganui PHO nurse Carol Ford has joined Turanga Health Nurse Sarah Timmins, and Sport Gisborne Exercise Specialist Toni Hoskin, to run the programmes.

Carol completes really thorough assessments before a person undertakes either programme, so clients are arriving better prepared,” says Diane.

“Clients have a better understanding of what the programmes are about and any medication or health issues are dealt with before people begin the courses.”

Although it’s early days there has also been a noticeable increase in the number of whanau attending the courses to support those taking part.

“Support from family can make all the difference for successful life-long changes to occur, for not only the client but the wider whanau as well,” says Diane.

People who take part in the programme are referred by either Tairawhiti District Health’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Clinical Nurse Specialist or their own doctor. In the case of the Better Breathing programme Diane said it was hoped general practitioners would consider referral if prescribing Spiriva. The course has many benefits for those people with serious respiratory problems.

Anyone wanting more information about the courses can contact Carol or Diane at Turanganui PHO (06) 863 2661.

Scholarship helps registration

Turanganui PHO Social Worker Tina Holmes. Clare Webber Photogrpahy.
By Helen Peterson

Having a nationally recognized social work registration will be the icing on the cake for Turanganui Primary Health Organisation’s Tina Holmes who has won a social work study award.

Tina, who passed the rigorous social worker competency standard two years ago, has won a NGO Social Work Study Award from the Ministry of Social Development.

The windfall will help fund the extra-mural study needed to obtain registration. She has opted for a two-year post-graduate diploma in social and community work through Otago University.

Tina says these days registration is a regular and necessary hallmark of good practice.

“Social workers have always struggled to get professional recognition for the work they do so I fully support the introduction of a national standard, even if it means undertaking further study.”

Tina was encouraged to apply for the scholarship by her Turanganui PHO colleagues who, along with Turanga Health staff, have been supportive of her work.

Tina has been part of the local social work network for 15 years and views her job in simple terms - connecting people who need support with agencies who offer that support. She enjoys helping people gain confidence to ask for help and assisting them to make informed decisions.

One reason Tina is a passionate social worker is that in earlier years she experienced hardship first-hand. She undertook university study as a single-parent of three children knowing that education was the key to a brighter future.

Tina is looking forward to beginning her diploma studies at the end of this month.

Social worker restores smile

Don Taylor. Image supplied.
By Helen Peterson

A new smile for Don Taylor made all the difference in his last months of life, says his daughter who is grateful to Turanganui Primary Health Organisation.

“Before getting dentures he would never smile in photos because he was self-conscious about having no teeth,” says Jo Huihui.

“However, after getting his dentures he smiled much more and photographs captured his big beaming smile.”

Don is a former Turanganui Primary Health Organisation client who was told after a health assessment that he had a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. He had to lose weight by exercising and eating plenty of healthy foods.

Although keen to take onboard the advice, Don, then aged 63, told Turanganui PHO social worker Tina Holmes having no teeth made eating fruit and vegetables difficult. He couldn’t crunch vegetables and fruit down to manageable pieces. He had been without teeth for over 10 years and the chances of funding dentures himself were slim.

“Don could not afford to pay for a set of dentures so I was able to help him put together a case to gain financial assistance from Work and Income to cover the cost,” says Tina.

Don, who obtained a quote and showed he had a good case for assistance, was successful in getting the money to pay for his dentures. He paid back the money, interest free, with weekly installments.

The difference the dentures made to Don’s life was huge, says Jo. The help given by the PHO was “invaluable” and Tina’s support allowed Don to look forward to a better, healthier future.

Sadly, Don has since unexpectedly passed away, but his family - including three daughters, a son and seven grandchildren - now have a precious photograph showing Don with his new teeth and renewed self-confidence.

They believe without dentures Don’s smile would have been lost to his family forever.

The PHOnetic thanks Jo Huihui for her willingness to share her whanau’s story.

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Primary Health Care Nurses Conference 2010: Registrations are now open for the Primary Health Care Nurses Conference 2010, June 25-27. More details: www.nzno.org.nz/activities/phc_conference_2010

Pinnacle CME: Sickness Benefit - A Life of Ease! I Don't Think So! Pinnacle GPs and practice nurses are invited to this presentation from Ministry of Social Development Principal Health Advisor Dr David Bratt. Presentation covers: the indicators for a benefit, the adverse health outcomes of a benefit, and a new idea "we are all on the same side if not the same page..." Thursday 25 February, Turanga Health Board Room, 7am with light breakfast supplied. RSVP before 19 February to robynem@pinnacle.org.nz or 027 687 7315.

Expression of Interest for Motivational Interviewing Training: with National Addiction Centre, Christchurch School of Medicine, Senior Clinical Lecturer Dr Joel Porter. Tairawhiti District Health is gauging interest in bringing this training to the district in March or April. Cost will be around $50-$100 depending on number of attendees. Email natashaa@tdh.org.nz by 1 March if interested. More information.

Course for clinicians and people in a leadership role within PHOs: The course has been written by Diana MacDonald, RGON, MNZAC, who works as a Management Consultant under her company Dynamic Leadership Limited. Diana is now a lead in the business case for devolution of services and management of acute demand for the Manawatu region.

The course provides an ideal Continuing Professional Development Opportunity. Called Transitioning Clinicians to Leadership (TCL), the course is suitable for all Clinicians transitioning to or in management or leadership roles. See pamphlet attached for course details. Numbers are limited.Register now by emailing: details@DynamicEducationOnline.com. Alternatively read More information.

BreastScreen Aotearoa message for your patients: The mobile breast screening unit will be at Te Whare Hauora o Ngati Porou in Te Puia from the 22 Feb - 4 March and then screening at the Relay for Life on 6-7 March 2010. If your patients are aged between 45-69 years old and have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months, please encourage them to phone 0800 270 200 to make their appointment. For local support phone Pollyanne Taare, BSA Tairawhiti, 863 3045.

Pharmac Summer Series: The PHARMAC Seminar Series provides a number of high quality education seminars covering a variety of topics and caters to a range of health professionals. Seminars are a full day and are held in Wellington. PHARMAC covers the cost of travel to and from seminars (including flights) and accommodation when required. Participants are charged $112.50 (GST inclusive) as a contribution toward the cost of running the seminar. Attendance at seminars contributes towards continuing professional development for GP's (the Seminar Series is accredited by the RNZCGPs as a CME provider), nurses, midwives (selected seminars are accredited by the Midwifery Council) and pharmacists. Click on seminarseries.pharmac.govt.nz to view the line up.

Spirometry Workshop: presented at the Adult Respiratory Measurement Laboratory, Greenlane Clinical Centre. March 8 and 9. More information.

Regional Cancer Control Hui: All stakeholders are invited to the two-day regional Cancer Control Hui, March 8 and 9, Wellington. More information to follow, or email ali.hamlin@midcentraldhb.govt.nz.

The PHOnetic is produced on behalf of Turanganui PHO by Redpath Communications Ltd with photographs by Brett Mead Photography.