Bold Plan to Deliver Increase in Surveillance Colonoscopies
An ambitious plan aims to raise the number of publicly-funded surveillance colonoscopies performed in the Bay by 60 % in the coming year .
“ We currently deliver around 200 colonoscopies a month ,” says Bay of Plenty District Health Board ( BOPDHB ) Chief Operating Officer Pete Chandler . “ Over the coming year we are aiming to deliver an additional 120 a month on top of those . That ’ s a 60 % increase month-on-month for the next 12 months .”
The additional procedures will be carried out through extra weekday and weekend sessions at Tauranga Hospital , Whakatāne Hospital and some private facilities including Grace Hospital .
“ It ’ s a bold and ambitious plan ,” says Mr Chandler . “ We have just had
From the Chair
It ’ s hard to believe we are already in March , I am sure you have all been enjoying summer in our beautiful Bay of Plenty .
Health Matters this month has some really interesting articles , I really encourage everyone to read and think about the Future Care Planning article . None of us know what is ahead of us , no matter what age we are , it is never too early to think about what matters for our whānau / family and us as individuals . I had a personal experience of Future Care Planning with my own mother , and well before I had read any of the information about Future Care Planning and understood how important the concept is . When our mother was in her mid- eighties she talked with each of us and was very clear what she wanted if she became ill . When she had a major stroke it meant , as her children , we could support her wishes and understood her reasoning . Having ‘ that conversation ’ is so important , and not just when we get older but right now , so no matter what happens you and you family are in agreement and have a shared understanding of what is important about your future health care .
The other articles I would really like everyone to reflect on are the focus on Back to School . There is
our best ever Emergency Department performance , we ’ re on track to meet the new cancer targets this year , and so we ’ ve been looking at other areas where our performance needs more specific focus to support the communities we serve .”
Mr Chandler says surveillance colonoscopy performance was an area where the DHB had experienced issues previously and this move was aimed at addressing those .
“ We have one of the highest rates of colonoscopy referral in New Zealand ,” he says .
“ I ’ m happy to say that we have recruited additional gastroenterologists and have a great team in place . We ’ ve just opened our third endoscopy procedure room and have also put a programme of improvements in place which is already showing results . As a consequence the percentage of urgent diagnostic colonoscopies treated within 14 days has risen to 85 % from
Sally Webb , Chair Bay of Plenty District Health Board
such an opportunity with our school children to set them on a healthy lifestyle path , which will benefit them in later years . Of course one of the best ways to help our children be healthy is to set that example at home and around our communities . So , what can each of you do to become healthier every day ? It might be more exercise , better eating , taking the time to enjoy life , and making time for friends and family . Whatever it is that is meaningful for you my challenge is that you role model healthy living for our children across the Bay , and start a new activity that will help you be healthier and enjoy life more .
He aha te mea nui o te ao ? He tangata ! He tangata ! He tangata !
What is the most important thing in the world ?
It is people ! It is people ! It is people ! Arohanui
Sally Webb
40 % over the last 12 months .”
Mr Chandler says the work would put the Bay of Plenty in great shape ahead of the National Bowel Screening Programme ( NBSP ) rollout locally in 2019 . The NBSP will offer bowel screening every two years to people aged between 60 to 74 years .
Those currently waiting for a surveillance colonoscopy are asked to do the following :
1 ) Tell the BOPDHB if you move house or your contact information changes .
2 ) Tell the BOPDHB if your health has changed or you no longer want surveillance colonoscopy .
3 ) If your symptoms have changed go back and see your GP as that may result in you being seen sooner .
If you need to contact the BOPDHB for the above , please call the Patient Information Line on 0800 333 477 .
HPV immunisation now Free for males and females
The Human Papillomavirus ( HPV ) vaccine is now available free for everyone , male and female , aged 9 to 26 years .
HPV immunisation helps protect against a virus that causes several cancers that can affect both men and women . HPV is very common in the community as it is spread through intimate skin to skin contact . Most people therefore become infected at some time during their life . “ Most HPV infections get better on their own and don ’ t cause any obvious problems . However , sometimes the virus persists and can cause cell changes that can lead to cancer later in life ,” says Dr Jim Miller , Medical Officer of Health .
“ I particularly urge young people aged 16 to 26 years who may have missed their chance previously through the school-based programme , to make an appointment with your doctor to get immunised . Now that this vaccine is free this is an excellent opportunity to reduce your cancer risk for the future ,” says Dr Miller .
HPV causes most cervical cancers , as well as contributing to the risk of other genital cancers and throat and mouth cancers . Some types of HPV cause genital warts .
Children who are in year 8 at school are offered
Head of gastroenterology Dr Adrian Claydon , left , and gastroenterologist Shwan Karin in the third Endoscopy Room at Tauranga Hospital , opened in July 2016 .
the vaccine either through the school-based immunisation programme or their family doctor . For everyone else , the HPV immunisation is available from their family doctor and local health centres .
For more information about HPV immunisation , visit www . health . govt . nz / hpv
Dr Jim Miller , Medical Officer of Health urges young people aged 16 to 26 years to make an appointment with their doctor for their free HPV immunisations to help reduce their cancer risk later in life .