Pilot aims to
increase uptake
of health checks
By Dr Lorna Claydon, Clinic 2 Medical Leader,
BOPDHB Sexual Health Service.
The Sexual Health Service has been trying to
improve access to STI checks for youth. One
tool being piloted in Clinic 2 is the Quick Check
Bag. The bags allow youth to be discreet and
hopefully overcome some of those barriers
stopping them from looking after their sexual
health.
The bags include a self-testing kit which they can do privately in
their own time without having to wait to see a nurse, as well as
a questionnaire. The tests check for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and
trichomoniasis. The pick up and drop off point is at Clinic 2, 814
Cameron Rd, Tauranga. Results are sent via text message a few
days later.
Latest data shows Chlamydia is the most common STI in New
Zealand and Bay of Plenty has the 5th highest rate of the STI in
the country.
Our newly appointed Nurse Clinical Coordinator Ross Mackay holds one of the
discreet Quick Check Bags.
Current guidelines advise anyone who is under 30 and has had
two or more sexual partners to take a chlamydia test, but there
are many barriers that stop people testing. These include cost,
knowledge and transportation as well as the stigma and shame
associated with STIs. We hope the Quick Check bags will help
young people to overcome some of those barriers.
The Quick Check Bags have been available since August. To date
around 14% of those who’ve used the kits have tested positive for
an infection.
If the pilot’s successful, the Quick Check Bags may be placed
in youth centres and workplaces, and eventually youth living in
remote areas will be able to order them online.
Sterilizing research conference
By Anna Tee Sterilisation Technician,
Tauranga Hospital.
To all you sterilising technicians, who thought
it was too hard to apply for the scholarships
the New Zealand Sterile Sciences Association
offers, it really isn’t.
And you too may get the chance to experience the Federal
Sterilizing Research Advisory Councils of Australia (FSRACA)
national conference I attended in Sydney. As well as meeting
fellow techs from Australia and Papua New Guinea, it’s a great
opportunity to listen to some interesting speakers, learn about new
technology, products and services, and get inspired.
The first keynote speaker, Rabia Siddique, shared her story of
survival in the most awful situations in the war against terrorism, her
capture, kidnapping and torture at the hands of Iraqi insurgents.
Andrew Smith, Professor of Clinical Bacteriology, Glasgow
University, gave an interesting talk about his experience of
reducing the risk of CJD, by testing. And how it really is a team
effort, with one purpose, how vital it is to work together to achieve
the same outcome. Sterile equipment.
Another speaker, Martin Pheffier, Independent Consultant,
was putting the message out there, that if your washer and
disinfectants are doing their job correctly, there should be no need
for pre-washing. This sparked a lot of discussion.
The need for more organ donors, experiences of challenging jobs,
education of sterilising in private practices, it was all there on the
first day.
Day two heard from Boo and Slash, two ex RAF Fighter Pilots.
They made sure we we’re all awake with a Top Gun style video of
fighter jets and that classic Kenny Loggins song, “Danger Zone”.
Alison Stewart, Treasurer of the NZSSA, spoke about Risk
Management, and Shelagh Thomas, President of the NZSSA, had
some great news regarding a new provider for the Sterilisation
Technician course, which is great news for those of us wanting to
pursue further education.
Overall, the FSRACA Conference was an amazing experience,
and I’m very grateful to have attended it.
Thanks to the NZSSA for the opportunity to attend. And as an added
bonus, it happened to be on at the same time as a 10km Sydney
Bridge Run that myself, Jenny Carston and Leanne Smith had been
training for. Yes, we completed it under time and injury free.
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