Stroke: Faster treatment
More patients at risk of having a stroke are getting
faster treatment through an expansion to Tauranga
Hospital’s Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) Clinic.
A ‘mini stroke’ or TIA is often thought of
as a wake-up call for patients. You’re
at greater risk of having a stroke
within the first few days after a
TIA and evidence shows more
than one in 12 people will have
a stroke within a week.
Geriatrician & Stroke Physician
Dr Mohana Maddula says, “It’s
crucial to be assessed and
Jack Kaleopa (left) with
Dr Mohana Maddula in
get the right treatment in
the TIA Clinic where he
those first few days. That
was checked over after
can greatly reduce the pos-
having a mini-stoke.
sibility of a patient suffering
a stroke and their quality of life
going forward.”
With that in mind, Dr Maddula, who moved to
Tauranga from the UK at the beginning of the
year, set out to improve the way the TIA Clinic
was operating.
As a result the clinic which had been operating
twice a week is now seeing patients every week
day.
“We’ve also streamlined the process for referring
patients. GPs can now refer patients who are sus-
pected of having had a TIA electronically, directly to
the clinic which means patients are assessed much
faster. Patients who come to ED are also fast tracked
directly to the clinic.”
Since the changes were made, more patients are being
seen each week. Patients referred from their GP are been
assessed within 1-2 days on average whereas previously
the average wait was about a week.
Stroke is the second largest killer in New Zealand, and
for those who survive, it may be a life-changing event.
Around 9000 New Zealanders have a stroke every year.
One of the key diagnostic tools to determine whether a patient
needs surgery to prevent a stroke happening is a Carotid ultra-
sound. “We’re looking for blood clots in the neck arteries – a
telltale sign that the patient is at extreme high risk of having a
stroke.
“Through a better screening process coupled with
faster access to Radiology, high risk patients are
identified and have those vital diagnostic tests
much sooner. Over a two month period 25 patients
who needed a Carotid ultrasound to look for a ‘nar-
rowing’ in the neck blood vessels, had this test on
the same day, whereas previously patients were
having to wait more than two weeks on average
for this test,” says Dr Maddula .
For Tauranga man, Jack Kaleopa, having
those vital diagnostic tests quickly was a
huge relief.
“I was having my morning cuppa when
my arm felt heavy and then I couldn’t
move it. I freaked out. Luckily my son
was there and he took me straight to
ED.”
Jack was fast tracked to the TIA Clinic.
He’d had a mini-stroke, the neces-
sary tests were performed showing no
damage to his brain.
The doctor altered the medication he
was already on, and he was able to go
home the same day.
“Before I retired I worked in a rest home.
People who’ve had a stroke need a lot of
support. It’s pretty frustrating for them when
they’ve lost their ability to move or speak like
they used to.
Jack is grateful he
“I walk my granddaughter home from school
can still walk his
every day. I love it. I wouldn’t want to be robbed
granddaughter Olivia
of that. I’m so grateful through quick actions of
home from school
my
son and hospital staff that day, that I can still
despite his stroke scare
do the school run,” says Jack.
earlier this year.
signs of
stroke
FACE
Drooping
on one side
ARM
Weakness
on one side
SPEECH
jumbled,
slurred or
lost
TIME
to call 111
think FAST
If you see ANY of the signs, call 111 immediately.
stroke.org.nz
New mental health facility for Bay teens
A new home is being set up in Tauranga to
provide short term intensive mental health
support for Bay of Plenty young people needing
a break from their usual environment.
critical time before the mental health issues they are facing
escalate further. the MICAMHS (Maternal Child and Adolescent Mental Health
service, or Voyagers in Whakatāne.
“They may be in a crisis situation or they may need a break
from their usual environment for their own wellbeing.” “Just how long the young person will stay overnight
at the service will vary depending on their individual
circumstances. It’s designed to provide a short term service
and we’d expect them to be there for less than a week.”
We know from experience that young people often need
a break or Mental Health support away from their current
environment, but not quite the type of support that is
provided in an in-patient setting. Expert clinicians including Registered Nurses, Occupational
Therapists and Youth Workers will be
based at the service, providing one on
one support, working with the young
person on a treatment plan.
Anja Theron, BOPDHB Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Clinical Co-ordinator says, “We know from experience that
young people often need a break or Mental Health support
away from their current environment, but not quite the type
of support that is provided in an in-patient setting. “Having intensive support at a
critical time, can be the key to whether
their health improves or deteriorates
further.”
“This is about providing a safe place for young people from
12 to 18 years; getting the right support around them at a
Bay of Plenty Health System
PRIO
RITY POPULATION
Live well
Pa
rtn
er
Empower our
population to live
healthy lives
Stay well
Evolve models of
excellence across all of
our hospital services
Wo
rkf
Vu
ln
erab
o rce
le chil
d
Fa c i l i
ties
ren and young p
le
eop
Get well
Develop a smart fully
integrated system to
provide care close to
where people live, learn,
work and play
It will be equipped to care for
four young people overnight at any
given time, and also provide day
programmes for others. Young
people will be referred to the service
from health providers from both the
Western and Eastern Bay of Plenty via
For Mental health support call:
• T he Mental Health Crisis line on
0800 774 545.
• For
Eastern Bay youth (0-18 years)
call Voyagers on 0800 486 947.
• F
or Tauranga and Western Bay
youth
(0-18 years) call 0800 333061
• F
or Youth Alcohol & Drug issues call
Sorted on 0800 BAYSORT
(0800 229 7678).
PATIENT AND
FAMILY CENTRED CARE –
WHĀNAU ORA
g
tin
ac
S
s
e
er ue
ev iss
n
The service, a first for the Bay
of Plenty, is due to open in mid-
September.
The BOPDHB funded service will
be provided by Pathways, a leading
provider of community-based mental
health and wellbeing services across
New Zealand.
Fi
Healthy, thriving communities, towards 2027
Kia Momoho Te Hāpori Oranga
The BOPDHB’s recently launched Strategic Health Services
Plan is now available to read online.
The Strategic Health Services Plan sets the scene for what
the DHB will focus on to support people in our communities
to live healthy lives in the next decade.
You can read it by following the link below.
http://bit.do/BOP-SHS-Plan