Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Seven Months Ended 31 January 2018

Source: New Zealand Treasury:

Headline: Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Seven Months Ended 31 January 2018

Page updated 7 Mar 2018

The Treasury has published the Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Seven Months Ended 31 January 2018.

See Financial Statements of the Government of New Zealand for the Seven Months Ended 31 January 2018 and the related media statement by Paul Helm, Chief Government Accountant.

Call for nominations for two members to join the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

Source: Health Quality and Safety Commission – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Call for nominations for two members to join the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee

Child & Youth Mortality Review Committee

The Health Quality & Safety Commission Board is seeking two members to join the Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee.

Nominations close at 5pm on Monday, 9 April 2018

The Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee is a mortality review committee established under Section 59e of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. The Committee is required to review and report on child and youth mortality and morbidity from 28 days up to 25 years as directed by the Commission Board, for the purposes of improving care quality and safety, and saving lives.

Collectively, the committee will have the following expertise:

  • One member will have relevant consumer experience and will provide a consumer perspective and be well networked to consumer groups.

The other members will have expertise which includes:

  • knowledge of mortality review systems
  • knowledge of issues affecting children and youth
  • knowledge and /or experience of the impact these mortalities have on families/whānau
  • knowledge of epidemiology, research and health systems
  • cultural expertise.

There are currently two positions available. The Commission welcomes all applications from interested parties, including community paediatricians, particularly those who offer experience in some of the following areas:

  • child and youth expertise
  • Māori, Pacific peoples and immigrant populations cultural expertise
  • an interest in youth mental health and suicide
  • injury prevention research expertise
  • knowledge of developmental paediatrics.

The member will:

  • work strategically
  • have credibility in relevant communities
  • be drawn from a range of disciplines and contexts including people representing Māori and Pacific peoples’ interests.

The member will also have:

  • wide professional or cultural networks
  • strong personal integrity and ethical behaviour
  • commitment to the issues at the heart of the Committee’s business
  • critical appraisal skills
  • highly developed written and oral skills
  • broad life experience
  • respect of peers
  • appropriate clinical or professional experience
  • the ability to engage with the other members of the Committee and contribute constructively.

If you would like to nominate any suitable candidates, please email Dez McCormack.

If you would like to apply directly, without nomination, please complete the application form and provide your current curriculum vitae by email to Dez McCormack.

Nominations close on Monday 9 April 2018 at 5pm.

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SH1 Desert Road closure delayed due to weather

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH1 Desert Road closure delayed due to weather

The closure was scheduled to take place from Wednesday morning. The road is being closed to enable the concrete deck to be poured and was always weather-dependent.

Another similar 36-hour closure is scheduled for 4-5 April, this will also be weather permitting.

Outside of the closure times people can expect the bridge to be down to one lane, with some short closures of around 5 minutes. There is a 30km/h limit in place.

The alternative route is State Highways 46, 47, 4 and 49. This detour is not suitable for vehicles over 44 tonnes, apart from 50MAX which is permitted.

There are also multiple maintenance work sites on the Desert Road during this period and delays are possible at other sites.

High productivity motor vehicles can use the SH3 and SH3A route between Hamilton and Bulls.

Vehicles with over-weight loads or over-dimension loads wider than 3.0 metres are unable to use the Desert Road section of SH1 until the bridge repairs are complete in April.

These closure dates are subject to fine weather and further postponement may be needed.

People can check all current road closures here

We are also on Twitter and Facebook:

Expressions of Interest: Consumer representative for the Mental Health and Addiction Quality Improvement Programme Leadership Group

Source: Health Quality and Safety Commission – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Expressions of Interest: Consumer representative for the Mental Health and Addiction Quality Improvement Programme Leadership Group

Mental Health & Addiction Quality Improvement

Do you want to use your own mental health and/or addiction experience to work with the Health Quality & Safety Commission? 

We are seeking expressions of interest for the consumer position in the Commission’s Mental Health and Addiction (MHA) Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) Leadership Group. This group has a diversity of senior sector leaders as members and provides advice and direction to the Commission on this programme and its projects.

Key purpose of the Leadership Group

  1. Provide sector leadership in the development and implementation of the MHA quality improvement programme and achieving improved outcomes.
  2. Proactively support effective relationships between the MHA sector and the Commission.
  3. Provide advice and make recommendations to the Commission that are informed by evidence and international, national and local knowledge, and focused on strategies to improve mental health and addiction services.
  4. Share information that supports a national approach to MHA quality and safety improvements.
  5. Foster an integrated approach to improving the quality and safety of health and disability services with other Commission programmes.

What is expected of the consumer representative role?

Members of the Leadership Group have well-established networks and the ability to consult widely. Full day face-to-face meetings are held at least quarterly in Wellington or Auckland, with occasional teleconferences at other times and decisions by e-mail, if required.

The consumer representative will:

  • provide advice from a mental health and/or addiction consumer perspective, and be able to represent your own views from lived experience and represent the relevant views of your consumer community
  • provide advice and review materials from the Commission’s MHA programme, working collaboratively with other LG members, and other agencies when required
  • promote the work of the Commission and the Mental Health and Addiction Quality Improvement Programme with local, regional and national consumer groups and health providers
  • support and promote consumer leadership capability development in the health and disability sector
  • provide strategic guidance and support to enhance collaboration between consumer groups, health providers and government agencies.

Selection criteria

Candidates will be selected according to the following criteria:

  • demonstrated experience as a consumer representative
  • established or developing networks with local, regional and national consumer and community groups
  • ability to use personal mental health and/or addiction health experiences and those of others to support better design and delivery of health and disability services
  • knowledge about the mental health and addiction/disability services in New Zealand
  • experience working in advisory groups
  • prior knowledge/experience in co-design and/or quality improvement.

How to submit an Expression of Interest

Read and complete the attached Expression of Interest form, and email it to info@hqsc.govt.nz by 5pm Friday 23rd March 2018.

All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their Expression of Interest within one week of the closing date. Short-listed candidates will be then be offered a telephone interview and the successful candidates will be notified within a week of the telephone interview date. 

For further information please contact:
Shaun McNeil, National Consumer Engagement Advisor – Mental Health and Addiction.
shaun.mcneil@hqsc.govt.nz
04 912 0306
021 933 681

Approximate Timeline

Application closing date

5pm, Friday 23 March 2018

You will be notified by  Friday 30 March 2018
Shortlist telephone interviews during first full week April 2018 
Successful candidates chosen for recommendation to the Chair, by Friday 13 April 2018
Orientation of successful candidates to be advised 
MHA QIP Leadership Group meetings 2018 Wednesday 30th May (29 August, 28 November)

 

 

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Over 14,000 Kiwis set their wheels in motion in Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Over 14,000 Kiwis set their wheels in motion in Aotearoa Bike Challenge

Throughout the month of February participants made more than 159,000 trips by bike, cycling an impressive 2,156,800 million kilometres in total.

The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is a partnership between the NZ Transport Agency and global organisation Love to Ride. The challenge encourages New Zealanders to make everyday trips by bike, with one 10-minute ride enough to give them the chance to win some great prizes while feeling the benefits of cycling.

“It was great to see so many New Zealanders committed to getting on their bikes this February,” says NZ Transport Agency Senior Manager System Design, Brett Gliddon.

“The challenge is an opportunity for more New Zealanders to experience just how easy it is to incorporate cycling into everyday life and its benefits as a transport option. Getting about by bike is great for your health and wellbeing, it supports communities, often is an efficient way to get around our towns and cities, and for many Kiwis who choose to ride to work, it’s a great way to start and end your day.”

To get more New Zealanders to give cycling a go, workplaces across the country were encouraged to sign up for the challenge and to motivate staff to take part.

Trade Aid Development and Education Manager, Michelia Miles, said the Aotearoa Bike Challenge was a valuable initiative for staff to take part in.

“As an organisation, we feel it is important to encourage our team to get involved in initiatives that benefit their wellbeing and the environment. The Aotearoa Bike Challenge was so fun and easy. It increased staff motivation and built stronger connections amongst the team.”

Fitting cycling in to your everyday routine doesn’t have to be difficult, says Michelia.

“As a mother with a young family I often find it hard to fit in exercise but taking part in the Aotearoa Bike Challenge was an easy way for me to get moving regularly as it only took a 10-minute bike ride to take part.

“Because of the challenge, I’m now getting at least three hours of exercise into my mostly sedentary week. It’s a win-win for both me and the environment, and a habit that I definitely plan on keeping up for the rest of 2018!”

To give riders an extra incentive, there were great prizes up for grabs. The Wattwheels e-bike was won by Elle Heike from Victoria University of Wellington; and the Avanti e-bike was won by Ross Stanley from Xero in Auckland. Hundreds of other prizes including cycling gear, books and vouchers were awarded to participants throughout the challenge.

View all results from the 2018 challenge

Place

Company

Region

Percentage of staff cycling

2000+ staff

1.

Beca

New Zealand

16%

2.

Christchurch City Council

Canterbury

8.7%

3.

University of Auckland

Auckland

5.6%

500 – 1999 staff

1.

Tonkin + Taylor

New Zealand

35%

2.

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Wellington

20%

3.

Palmerston North City Council

Manawatu

17%

200 – 499 staff

1.

Beca Christchurch

Canterbury

41%

2.

Warren and Mahoney

New Zealand

32%

3.

Meridian Energy Christchurch

Canterbury

30%

50 – 199 staff

1.

Laura Fergusson Trust

Wellington

82%

2.

Mercury Rotorua

Bay of Plenty

70%

3.

Tonkin + Taylor Wellington

Wellington

69%

20 – 49 staff

1.

Harbour Sport

Auckland

100%

2.

Tonkin + Taylor Nelson

Nelson

100%

3.

TDG Auckland

Auckland

100%

7 – 19 staff

1.

Southern
Institute of Technology Early Childcare Centre

Southland

100%

2.

Vivian Medical Centre

Taranaki

100%

3.

St John Gisborne

Gisborne

100%

3 – 6 staff

1.

Mosgiel Central Kindergarten

Otago

100%

2.

Warren and Mahoney Tauranga

Bay of Plenty

100%

3.

Van Dyck Fine Foods CRM Team

Taranaki

100%

SH4 closed between Whanganui and Raetihi

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: SH4 closed between Whanganui and Raetihi

NZTA Regional Transport Systems Manager Ross I’Anson says the potential slip site was identified today during a regularly scheduled geotechnical inspection, and the road has been closed as a precaution while a more detailed inspection is undertaken.

Mr I’Anson says SH4 through the Paraparas has several bluffs along its length, where the material that makes up these areas (papa) is particularly susceptible to weathering. 

“The Transport Agency regularly monitors these bluffs as part of an ongoing geotechnical inspection regime for the road. While it difficult to predict exactly where or when a specific part of the slope may fail due to the unstable nature of papa, our geotechnical experts have advised that the road should be closed as a precaution until a more detailed inspection can be completed at this site.”

A further update will be provided by mid-morning on Tuesday. The road was closed at approximately 5pm Monday.

Overnight, intermittent closure of Porter River Bridge, State Highway 73, from Monday, 12 March

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Overnight, intermittent closure of Porter River Bridge, State Highway 73, from Monday, 12 March

From next Monday night, 12 March, the bridge will be closed overnight for an hour at a time from 10pm to 6am. It will be opened on the hour, (for example at 11 pm, then at midnight, then 1 am) every hour to clear traffic. The exception will be emergency vehicles which will be helped across the bridge as quickly as possible.  

  • The work will be completed by 26 March, if crews get a run of dry weather. If not, the nights may be extended.
  • The Porter River bridge is about 8kms west of Lake Lyndon, between Lake Lyndon and Castle Hill Village/Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.
  • The work is to repair the bridge deck seals.
  • Electronic signs on State Highway 73 will warn drivers of the intermittent closure from Tuesday, 6 March.

How to stay up to date:

Completing-the-Census-is-vital-to-help-us-plan-and-fund-your-health-services

Source: Canterbury District Health Board – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Completing-the-Census-is-vital-to-help-us-plan-and-fund-your-health-services

Title: Completing the Census is vital to help us plan and fund your health services
Abstract: ​Completing your Census form and being counted as a Cantabrian is important and will help ensure your DHB is funded correctly. Everybody counts. That’s the message from the Canterbury District Health Board.

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Brazil: Yellow Fever outbreak

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Safe Travel – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Brazil: Yellow Fever outbreak

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Infection with the yellow fever virus causes varying degrees of disease, from mild symptoms to severe illness with bleeding and jaundice. About 15% of people infected with yellow fever progress to a severe form of the illness, and half of those will die, as there is no cure for yellow fever.

Sue loves her job after 40 years service

Source: Tairawhiti District Health – Press Release/Statement:

Headline: Sue loves her job after 40 years service

Sue Cranston with her daughters Kylie Dowding and Kimberley Cranston.

After 40 years dedicated service to nursing, many of those years spent supporting children and whānau in Tairāwhiti Sue Cranston still loves her job.

A highlight of Sue’s career has been working in Planet Sunshine and contributing to many improvements to the service. Sue is the Paediatric Quality and Education Coordinator. “I am passionate about improving the quality of care to our children and families and being able to contribute to making improvements for staff. I work with a great team of people who show respect, care and work well together.”

She is known as the lady of the night in reference to her many years of service in Planet Sunshine as a senior night nurse whose calm and caring manner has kept mums, babies and her colleagues safe and reassured.

Sue trained at Christchurch Polytechnic. It was the second year of the “new “ way of training and there was only a choice of Wellington, Christchurch and a new school in Nelson. “I chose Christchurch, learnt to ski and met my husband Andy while down there! Because this was a new way to train nurses we felt we had to prove ourselves against the still active apprenticeship type training.” 

After graduating Sue worked for two years at Waikato Hospital in the surgical and then high dependency wards. “As soon as my two-year bonded period was completed, Andy and I headed off on our OE. We stayed for eight years. I worked in South Africa, London and in Cornwall. We would work for a while, then travel for a while. We visited so many countries including a five-month overland trip through Africa (a travel highlight). We also lived for a year in France.

When we finally returned to New Zealand I was 5 months pregnant. I got a temporary job in Paediatrics until just before Kylie was born. When a night shift job came up a few months later, I applied I have been ever since.” 

I have seen many changes in my time here that make a real difference to the people we care for. We now have different/better models of care, rapidly advancing technology and we work in partnership with whānau who are part of caring for their child. Parents can now stay with their child; homesickness used to be so difficult to deal with in the night. 

Nursing is now a highly qualified profession. Nurses need a Bachelor’s degree and postgraduate education is encouraged. We now have opportunities for nurses to become Nurse Practitioners and now Nurse Prescribers to make the most of their skills. 

“Taking on the quality then the education roles has been a highlight of my career. I am proud of the many improvements I have been a part of. Developing the play specialist service, creating a virtual tour of Planet Sunshine, pain management manuals, Paediatric Early Warning Score charts, entrance art are some of the things that come to mind. 

Sue Cranston’s 40 years dedicated service to nursing and support of the children and whānau in Tairāwhiti was acknowledged recently by Nurses and Midwives of Tairāwhiti (NAMOT). Colleague Natasha Ashworth spoke about Sue’s dedication to other nurses. Sue is not just passionate about the children and whānau in Planet Sunshine but also her nursing colleagues. Sue has been a proponent of nurse education, encouraging nurses to gain postgraduate qualifications as well as organising local education sessions in pain management for the team and wider hospital group. Sue supports the new graduate nurses in their portfolio preparation and with their projects. As Sue is a portfolio assessor she also has the opportunity to encourage nurses across the DHB to work on the quality of their portfolios. This she does in a kind, professional and supportive manner, offering practical feedback and suggestions.

Sue is described as being a role model to all staff both new and old. She role models the WAKA values: showing whakarangatira with her quality work, awhi to nurses across the DHB, kotahitanga as she steps up to Clinical Nurse Manager in Deb McKay’s absence and aroha for the whanau in her care.

Thank you to Sue Cranston for 40 years dedicated service to nursing and support of the children and whanau in Tairawhiti.

Sue is pictured with her daughters Kylie Dowding and Kimberley Cranston.