X
A A A
GO
19Apr

Redeployed CCN staff helping rural communities with Covid-19 response

Many people across our health systems have been redeployed to different roles to support Canterbury’s collective response to Covid-19. 

Project Facilitators for the Canterbury Clinical Network Koral Fitzgerald and Hiedee Harris were both called on to support the development of Covid-19 Community Based Assessment Centres (CBACs) in North Canterbury and Ashburton.

Koral facilitates the Rural Health Workstream and Hurunui Health Service Development Group, so was a natural fit to support the set-up of the Rangiora and Amberley CBACs. 

Likewise, Hiedee was called on to support the Ashburton CBAC, as she facilitates the Ashburton Service Level Alliance.

“Literally overnight I went from doing my usual job, to helping to build a team, source equipment and set up two CBAC sites,” says Koral. 

“I have learnt so much in a short space of time and it has been rewarding to use my skills as a facilitator and the connections I have to help this community.”

Koral worked closely with Bill Eschenbach, Janetta Skiba and Rosie Carr from Waitaha Primary Health. She also worked with a local GP, the wider health system, members of the Canterbury Primary Response Group (CPRG), Waimakariri District Council and the North Canterbury community.

The Rangiora CBAC presented a unique set of challenges, because the site was not previously a healthcare setting. It meant that it took more work and more resourcing to ensure it was both clinically and practically suitable for the pandemic response in a short period of time. This included internal building amendments, stringent daily cleaning, security onsite and all basic equipment acquired.

“It really has been a local response to a local need, with staff from the council and local tradespeople, such as plumbers, electricians and builders all chipping in to help,” says Koral. 

The initial clinical team for operating the CBAC received training and experience at the central Christchurch CBAC. They then were able to bring learnings to the additional CBACs. They also helped create the operating procedures relevant to the sites and inducted new staff. 

“It has been important to listen and align to the one source of truth, which is coming nationally from the Ministry of Health and regionally from the CPRG Emergency Operations Centre,” says Koral. 

Local clinicians and practice support staff were encouraged to advise CPRG of their interest in working at the CBACs.

“There have been numerous phone calls, online meetings and emails, but the project team got there in the end. It’s been a dynamic space to work in, where you don’t know what will be happening from one hour to the next.” 

Hiedee helped set up Ashburton’s CBAC, which involved connecting people, finding staff and ensuring they were set up on the pay roll system. She also helped to streamline the referral process for Covid-19 testing between the region’s general practices and ERMS (Electronic Request Management System). 

“I liaised with people and connected them together, much like I do in my normal job,” says Hiedee.

“I attended the 7am daily online meetings, which involved local GPs, a dentist, pharmacists, clinical lead and GP Sarah Clarke and the welfare team from Civil Defence and the Ashburton District Council.” 

These meetings gave Hiedee an oversight of the situation across the community and any issues could be worked through collectively, because everyone was online at the same time. She was also able to share information back and forth between the group and CCN.

An added service for the region is the Welfare Checks that Civil Defence and the Ashburton District Council have set up to support vulnerable people and help them with essential services, such as food and medication delivery.  

“It is another great example of a local response for a local need,” says Hiedee."

More stories will be shared about how other CCN team members are supporting the Covid-19 response on the CCN website and future newsletters.

About the Author