From the Chair
We are at that time again for the triennial District Health Board elections , the opportunity for people to stand for the Bay of Plenty DHB Board .
Our DHB serves a population of 220,235 stretching from Waihi Beach in the North West to Whangaparaoa on the East Cape and inland to the Urewera , Kaimai and Mamaku ranges . These boundaries include Tauranga , Katikati , Te Puke , Whakatāne , Kawerau and Opotiki . While the DHB has a long list of statutory objectives , these can be summarised into being responsible for promoting health and wellness for all people across our region and ensuring the most effective and efficient delivery of health services to meet our community ’ s needs . Our overall vision is ‘ Healthy , thriving communities , Kia Momoho Te Hāpori ōranga .”
The Board has eleven members , seven are elected members from across the DHB region , and the Minister of Health appoints four . Anyone who is enrolled as a Parliamentary elector anywhere in New Zealand and a NZ citizen is eligible to stand for election .
Being a DHB Board member
DHB members are there to govern the organisation . This means setting the direction for the DHB and monitoring its performance against its goals , as laid out in its annual plan , regional services plan and statement of intent . In fulfilling its governance responsibilities the Board ensures that processes and systems are in place to oversee the management of risk , including risks relating to health and safety .
The basic premise for governance is that “ board work is brain work ”. The board ’ s job is a thinking and talking one , and strong conceptual skills are paramount . Therefore we need members who are able to work well as a team , have the confidence to ask questions , are able to think creatively , debate strongly , and support the decisions once they are made .
Board meetings are once a month with committee meetings bi- monthly as well . Board members are expected to attend other meetings as well such as regional forums . So you are probably looking at approximately two full days a month at least .
The board appoints the chief executive who is responsible for day-to-day management . The chief executive reports back to the board . The board has no role in employment decisions and , by law , cannot interfere in matters relating to individual employees .
If you ’ re interested in standing for the board , now is the time to place your nomination . Nominations close at noon on 12 August 12 . The election is held on Saturday 8 October along with other local body elections . Elected members take up their positions formally on 5 December .
If standing for election doesn ’ t interest you , then please get out and vote so we can have a proactive positive board to lead our DHB for the next three years .
Arohanui
For more information see www . localcouncils . govt . nz
Sally Webb
Protect your family from measles , especially
Families are being urged to ensure that they are up-to-date with their MMR immunisations to protect them from measles . Since the end of March there have been more than 90 cases of measles in New Zealand with the majority of these being in the Waikato region . those aged 10 – 29 years
“ For the best protection from measles , check that you and your children are up to date with the MMR ( measles , mumps and rubella ) immunisations ,” says Dr Neil de Wet , Medical Officer of Health for Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service . “ Particularly those aged 10 to 29 who are at greatest risk of catching measles , as this age group is less likely to have been fully immunised as children ,” says Dr de Wet .
MMR immunisation provides effective protection against measles . It is usually given at 15 months and again at 4 years of age
Having a new baby and establishing breastfeeding can bring many joys as well as a few challenges , especially in the middle of the night when instant help is not available .
In desperation , like many others Whakatāne woman Abigail Kolo ’ ofa ’ i , has turned to Google for information .
“ Problems can crop up in the early hours of the morning when realistically
as part of the routine childhood immunisations but it ’ s never too late to catch up if any of these immunisations have been missed . Those unsure of their vaccination status can check their Well Child Tamariki Ora or Plunket books , or contact their General Practice . “ Contact your family doctor or practice nurse if you or your child needs to be immunised ,” says Dr de Wet . “ Measles immunisation is free for anyone born after 1 January 1969 who has not yet had the two required doses of MMR vaccine .”
Measles usually begins with a runny nose ,
you can ’ t turn to your midwife , lactation consultant or GP for help . There ’ s a lot of information available on Google , but the problem is , you don ’ t know what to trust .”
But since she became aware of , and downloaded the free BreastFedNZ app , she ’ s confident she ’ s got good information at her fingertips from a reliable source .
The app available on Apple and Android devices provides instant , simple , easy to follow information with illustrations , photos , and video clips , covering all phases of breastfeeding from latching on , to growth spurts and common problems which may arise .
Abigail is one of more than 5000 women who have downloaded the app on their smart phone since it was launched in August last year .
“ Late one night when I thought I may have been developing a problem , I followed the advice in the app . When it
fever and sore watery red eyes . This is followed by a red , blotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body . Around 30 percent of people with measles will develop complications such as diarrhoea , ear infections and pneumonia . “ About 1 in 10 people who get measles will need hospital treatment ,” says Dr de Wet .
Further information is available by phoning 0800 IMMUNE ( 0800 466 863 ) or Healthline ( 0800 611 116 ), and on the Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service website – www . ttophs . govt . nz / measles
Smart phone app brings instant breastfeeding support
Abigail Kolo ’ ofa ’ i with her daughter Grace . was morning and I got in touch with my midwife , she gave me the same treatment information and I was glad that I ’ d already been doing the right things for the previous 12 hours rather than doing nothing and it getting worse .”
Abigail has shared the app among the mother ’ s groups she ’ s involved in as well as with friends and family .
“ It ’ s particularly helpful for first time mums . I told my sister who lives in the USA about it . She ’ s now downloaded it and is finding it really useful .”
The app was developed by the Midland Maternity Action Group ( MMAG ), a clinical network of the Midland District Health Boards in response to feedback from a consumers study in 2013 . It has been designed to support breastfeeding from birth to weaning , covering many of the normal aspects of breastfeeding a baby as well as the challenges and changes that may happen along the way .
For more information about the BreastFedNZ app visit www . breastfednz . co . nz