Continuing our venture into health care in the future, in recent meetings we have heard about technologies that provide interesting new ways of dealing with old problems.

A number of these provide services that will enable Kāpiti patients to not only be monitored in their own homes without the need for expensive and time consuming trips to hospitals or specialists in Wellington, but for problems to be diagnosed and treatments initiated by highly qualified specialists anywhere in the world.  The possibilities are exciting and are among the bright spots on the healthcare horizon.

As well as the increasingly popular telehealth services, other technologies we hear about include telehealth “hubs” where patients in areas distant from services can link via internet to specialists.  Qualified staff including nurses, technicians and others can be on site to help with technical issues, take blood pressures, temperatures, urine samples and other observations and support the patient during their consultation. 

With health workforce shortages expected to continue for many more years, developments such as these will be exciting, not just for rural areas, but for districts like Kāpiti where access to services continues to be a serious issue.  We will continue to keep an eye on developments and pass on information where relevant.

Health Directory

Looking for a Kāpiti disability service, or transport options to hospital?  Whatever health or wellbeing service you are looking for, check out our Kapiti health directory on our website at Health & Wellbeing Directory. Or if you have a service you think should be included, email us at kapitihealthadvisorygroup@gmail.com

Free Hourly Shuttle between Kenepuru Hospital and Wellington Hospital

Fortunately there is adequate free parking in the vicinity of Kenepuru Hospital and people can park and catch the shuttle from Kenepuru.

You will need to book a seat on this service, preferably at least one hour before you intend to travel. This can be done by calling the Wellington transport office phone (04) 806 2708 or emailing shuttle.booking@ccdhb.org.nz. 

Office hours are Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4.30pm.

Timetable

The service runs every hour on weekdays, with the first shuttles departing simultaneously from both sites at 7am. Departures continue each hour on the hour, with the final departure at 6pm. The shuttle does not operate on weekends or public holidays and reduced schedules operate over the Christmas/New Year peak holiday period.

Departure Points

Kenepuru: Main public entrance to Accident and Medical Clinic

Wellington: Outside the main entrance door to the Wellington Regional Hospital.

Travel Times

Travel time is usually around 30 minutes, but can be up to 45 minutes as collections and deliveries are often made during the run. We suggest that patients using the shuttle to travel to appointments notify clinic staff, so that appointments can be scheduled for 15 minutes before the hour, or on the hour.

Accessibility

Shuttle vans are not wheelchair accessible. If an accessible vehicle is required, please let the service know when you make your booking and they will try to arrange for this. Please book at least 24 hours in advance.

Phone: (04) 806 2708

Email: shuttle.booking@ccdhb.org.nz

Please do not leave any message on the answerphone - leaving a message does not guarantee your booking request. Please call back to speak to an operator.

Immunisation

Immunisation is still your best protection against many serious diseases through the whole of life.

Infants & Children

For children, this is particularly important and although Kapiti’s cohort of fully protected children is better than some districts, it is still below the New Zealand recommended level.

The NZ National Immunisation Schedule is a series of immunisations (including boosters) given at specific times between the ages of 6 weeks and 12 years. For best possible protection, make sure your pepe have the immunisations on time, every time.  Most vaccinations are free and there is always the opportunity to “catch up”. So if life got busy when you or your child’s vaccinations were due, talk to your practice nurse about how to catch up.

Measles and whooping cough outbreaks are still a real threat and vaccinations available for children include :

• diphtheria

• tetanus

• polio

• whooping cough (pertussis)

• pneumococcal

• rotavirus

• haemophilus influenzae type b

• measles

• mumps

• rubella

• chickenpox (varicella)

Details of the recommended programme can be found in the New Zealand National Immunisations schedule National Immunisation Schedule (info.health.nz) and most are free.

Your GP or Practice Nurse can provide details of how to access these.

Adults

It is important that you are immunized for whooping cough and flu in every pregnancy to protect yourself and your baby.

Those people born after 1969 should have two documented doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Whooping cough boosters are free at 45 and 65.

Some vaccinations e.g. shingles are only free at a certain age. Travel vaccinations aren’t free.

Vaccinations work best if given at the recommended age but it is never too late. Some vaccinations need boosters eg Covid, flu, whooping cough.

All details are available at https://info.health.nz/immunisations/national-immunisation-schedule

Many pharmacies in our district are providing vaccinations, often as walk ins, but booking is recommended. Ask your community pharmacist about what vaccinations they provide to you.  This enables busy people who can’t always fit in “office hours” appointments to get vaccinated. Life Pharmacy Kapiti Lights has a nurse available between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday to talk about vaccinations and to administer them .

All vaccinations given in New Zealand are now recorded on the same web portal, which is accessible to the patient as well as their health care professionals, so that timely vaccination occurs wherever the setting.

So, if you need a vaccination or a booster, just do it! You and the community will benefit

If you have any feedback about the contents of this newsletter, or want to know more about a specific health topic in Kāpiti, please email us at kapitihealthadvisorygroup@gmail.com