Sally Furniss
Well-known member
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/manawatustandard/0,2106,3875267a6502,00.html
Centre set for pandemic
23 November 2006
By JANINE RANKIN
The Palms Health and Wellness Centre yesterday signed up to be the district's first community-based assessment centre when the bird flu pandemic or a similar crisis arrives.
Managing director Ralph Saxe and MidCentral District Health Board chief executive Murray Georgel signed a memorandum of understanding, then both said they hope they never had to use it.
In the event of a pandemic, the centre will swing in to action when asked to provide assessment and treatment for people with influenza symptoms.
The system is designed to keep pressure off Palmerston North Hospital, which will still have to provide emergency and other services for people who continue to get sick from other causes, or are injured.
Those assessed at a community- based centre as needing hospital level care will be referred.
Dr Saxe said The Palms would continue to provide a level of general medical care as well.
He said the new centre is well- designed to help segregate different patient groups to reduce the risks of cross-infection.
Dr Saxe said he is delighted to be able to help the community.
"Obviously we hope a pandemic never happens but if it ever does then we do want to play our part and assist where we can."
Mr Georgel said the agreement indicates the excellent level of progress that had been made in preparing for a pandemic.
"Our bottom line is ensuring that health services can continue to be provided in a pandemic event.
"By using these centres, we can protect GPs and hospital services.
"Ongoing medical conditions will still need treatment, people will still suffer cuts or break limbs, people will still have babies, people will still have accidents so preserving these business-as-usual facilities is really important."
Further planning will happen now the deal has been signed around staffing and supplies and exactly how patient flows will be managed.
Up to another five centres, and possibly mobile clinics, are likely to be identified in future to provide coverage of the entire district beyond the city.
Assessment centres project manager Malinda Nash said the idea is to provide centres where people live.
"The message for any potential pandemic is for people to stay close to home to avoid spread of the disease.
"Our intention is to provide centres throughout the region."
Centre set for pandemic
23 November 2006
By JANINE RANKIN
The Palms Health and Wellness Centre yesterday signed up to be the district's first community-based assessment centre when the bird flu pandemic or a similar crisis arrives.
Managing director Ralph Saxe and MidCentral District Health Board chief executive Murray Georgel signed a memorandum of understanding, then both said they hope they never had to use it.
In the event of a pandemic, the centre will swing in to action when asked to provide assessment and treatment for people with influenza symptoms.
The system is designed to keep pressure off Palmerston North Hospital, which will still have to provide emergency and other services for people who continue to get sick from other causes, or are injured.
Those assessed at a community- based centre as needing hospital level care will be referred.
Dr Saxe said The Palms would continue to provide a level of general medical care as well.
He said the new centre is well- designed to help segregate different patient groups to reduce the risks of cross-infection.
Dr Saxe said he is delighted to be able to help the community.
"Obviously we hope a pandemic never happens but if it ever does then we do want to play our part and assist where we can."
Mr Georgel said the agreement indicates the excellent level of progress that had been made in preparing for a pandemic.
"Our bottom line is ensuring that health services can continue to be provided in a pandemic event.
"By using these centres, we can protect GPs and hospital services.
"Ongoing medical conditions will still need treatment, people will still suffer cuts or break limbs, people will still have babies, people will still have accidents so preserving these business-as-usual facilities is really important."
Further planning will happen now the deal has been signed around staffing and supplies and exactly how patient flows will be managed.
Up to another five centres, and possibly mobile clinics, are likely to be identified in future to provide coverage of the entire district beyond the city.
Assessment centres project manager Malinda Nash said the idea is to provide centres where people live.
"The message for any potential pandemic is for people to stay close to home to avoid spread of the disease.
"Our intention is to provide centres throughout the region."