Your local pharmacy can help this summer
As the holiday season heats up , people are being reminded to pop into their local pharmacy for help on a broad range of medical issues .
The holidays are a time of fun and relaxation but can also be a time when accidents occur . Usual routines can be disrupted so if you have missed or forgotten your medication , or have had a medical mishap , talk to a pharmacist for advice . They will refer you to a local doctor or other health practitioner when needed .
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can offer help and advice in an array of situations says Unichem John ’ s Photo Pharmacy co-owner Rebecca Greaves .
“ Community pharmacists can provide a wide range of medicines to treat a variety of conditions ,” says Rebecca . “ These include : sunburn , sprains , grazes , strains , minor skin infections , gout attacks , conjunctivitis , urinary tract infections , vaginal thrush , migraines , mild eczema , fungal infections ( such as athlete ’ s foot and ringworm ), diarrhoea , vomiting , constipation , scabies , mouth ulcers , cold sores , indigestion / heartburn , hay fever and head lice .
“ Some pharmacists are even authorised to sell the emergency contraceptive pill under certain circumstances .”
Rebecca added that people should ensure they had a good supply of their medicines over the Christmas and New Year period ; getting new prescriptions from their doctor , and picking up their repeats . Those who are going away should also make sure they have a list of their medicines with them , including doses .
If you are away and forget your medicine , or you run out and can ’ t get an immediate appointment with your prescriber , again , a local pharmacy could help . Consult your pharmacist . In some circumstances , they can provide an emergency three-day supply of medicines if you need them .
Unichem John ’ s Photo Pharmacy , on the corner of Cameron Road and 2nd Ave Tauranga , is open 8am-8pm every single day of the year except Christmas Day , when the hours are 9am-12pm .
A wide range of medical advice and products are available from your local pharmacy says Unichem John ’ s Photo Pharmacy co-owner Rebecca Greaves .
Asking healthcare questions dish of the day at Tauranga Hospital
Encouragement for patients to ask questions about their care will now be served up alongside meals at Tauranga Hospital .
Meal trays for patients in seven wards across the hospital now include tray liners which encourage patients to ask doctors and nurses four key questions about their care :
• What is the matter with me ?
• What is going to happen next ?
• What needs to happen before I can go home ?
• When am I going to go home ? “ If you feel unsure about your care in any way , please ask . That ’ s what we ’ re saying ,” says BOPDHB Chief Operating Offi cer Pete Chandler . “ Our patients have told us they don ’ t always understand what ’ s happening to them in hospital . So knowing what ’ s wrong with them , what their next treatment is , what needs to happen before they can go home and when that will happen are all very important .” Patient feedback has shown people who are well informed about their care recover better and are more likely to go home from hospital on time . “ This initiative is about encouraging our patients to have those conversations ,” added Pete . “ At the same time we ’ re working with our staff to improve the way we communicate with patients , it ’ s a two-way street .” Patient Teina Leef , from Whakatāne , applauded the meal tray concept .
“ I think it ’ s a really good idea . You can have some patients who are a little shy and this prompts them and in a way gives them permission to ask those questions .” The tray liner concept was added to meal trays for a short period last year resulting in a 95 % improvement in patient understanding about their treatment . When the tray liners were removed , the level of understanding decreased . Pete says the initiative - which includes the Medical , Surgical and Orthopaedics Wards at Tauranga Hospital - will be monitored closely . In the future it might also be extended to other wards and services , including Whakatāne Hospital .
Patient Teina Leef ( left ), helps launch the meal tray liner question sheet with BOPDHB Chief Operating Offi cer Pete Chandler ( right ).
Be safe – be SunSmart
Sunburn and skin damage is caused by Ultra Violet ( UV ) rays from the sun and it can lead to skin cancer . This is especially important if you are swimming or near water as the sun ’ s rays are refl ected onto you . So everyone needs to cover-up , especially your children .
“ Firstly , if it ’ s possible , try to stay out of direct sun during the hours of 10am to 4pm . This is when the sun can do the most damage . Look for natural shade or create your own with an umbrella , tent or other shelter . Then it ’ s important to Slip , Slop , Slap and Wrap ,” says Dr Phil Shoemack , Medical Offi cer of Health .
SLIP into a long-sleeved shirt and into the shade . Generally , fabrics with a tighter weave and darker colours will give you greater r protection from the sun . There are also certain fabrics on the market that have a sun protective factor ( SPF ) rating .
SLOP on plenty of broadspectrum SPF30 + sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outdoors .
SLAP on a hat with a widebrim or a cap with fl aps – more people get sunburned on their face and neck than any other part of the body .
Pet therapy proves huge hit at Tauranga Hospital
Eunice Whitcombe ’ s face lights up as Sally the greyhound walks into her room .
A recent inpatient at Tauranga Hospital ’ s Ward 4b , Eunice looks forward to these visits , as so many patients do . “ Dogs are so comforting ,” says the Greerton resident gently stroking Sally ’ s head . “ Reminds me of my greyhound Roxy .” Sally is part of the Pet Therapy programme , a patient rehabilitation improvement initiative which is celebrating its fi rst birthday . Thirteen dogs and their handlers , all of which have been vetted and approved by national pet therapy charity Canine Friends , now visit Tauranga Hospital ’ s wards on a rolling roster . Strict hygiene and behavioural protocols govern the programme . The dog ’ s presence immediately changes the energy in a room says Sally ’ s handler , Emma Richardson . “ Patients love the interaction , especially if they haven ’ t seen many people that day . We fi nd that , because we come in on regular days , they actively look forward to our visits .” And Emma has her own personal reasons for volunteering as a handler as well . “ My 96-year-old grandmother is in a hospice in England and I would dearly love to be visiting her with my dog as I know how much she would enjoy it ,” she
WRAP on a pair of wrap-around sunglasses – UV radiation is just as dangerous to eyesight as it is for the skin .
Take these precautions especially between 10 am and 4 pm ( September to April ).
For more information about being SunSmart for you and your family visit www . sunsmart . org . nz
says . “ So when I ’ m visiting people on the wards it ’ s like I ’ m visiting my grandma ; it ’ s my way of giving back .” So how does pet therapy work ? “ Research shows this type of therapy encourages a sense of comfort and normality ,” says Regional Manager Volunteer Services Lesley Grant . “ It helps with engagement and re-integration into socialising with other people again . This leads to a more rapid recovery . “ Patients in the Acute Stroke and Mental Health wards , who have been upset and withdrawn , are more likely to react to an animal as they are seen as non-judgemental . They help lower anxieties and blood pressure levels .”
Eunice Whitcombe ( left ) with Canine Friends ’ Emma Richardson ( right ) and Sally the greyhound .