Health information and updates following the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle

Hawke’s Bay has been significantly affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and a national state of emergency has been declared.

Following the extensive flooding due to Cyclone Gabrielle and resulting travel and power outages, the following services were cancelled for Tuesday 14 February 2023:

• Elective surgeries
• Endoscopy services
• Outpatient (Napier, Hastings, Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay) appointments cancelled

Affected patients were contacted and offered a telehealth appointment if appropriate or rebooked as soon as possible.

Acute Theatre continued as well as urgent Radiology procedures.

Two urgent care clinics open

As at Tuesday 14 February afternoon, all general practices are shut except for the below two urgent care clinics which remain open:

City Medical at Napier Health Centre (24-hours)

Urgent care clinic at Hastings Health Centre (until 7pm tonight).

Pharmacies open

Hastings Health Centre

Napier Health Centre

Unichem on Munroe Street at The Doctors Napier

Unichem on Russell Street at The Doctors Hastings

Flaxmere Pharmacy

Unichem Waipukurau.

Information will be updated at 0900 Wednesday 15 February.

Te Whatu Ora acknowledges whānau will be concerned about the whereabouts of loved ones who may have been impacted by flooding, but asks people do not come into the Hawke’s Bay Emergency Department unless seeking urgent medical care.

Public health and hygiene

Te Whatu Ora is reminding residents to take care with their health and hygiene following flooding.

Keep out of flood waters and do not allow children to play in flood waters, as the water may be contaminated with sewage, farm run-off or other hazardous material. One of the main risks from flood water is gastroenteritis. There are many types of gastroenteritis and the severity of illness varies. Most people who develop gastroenteritis can manage their symptoms at home but it can be more serious for the very young, very old or those with underlying medical conditions. If you feel unwell after coming into contact with floodwater call your doctor or call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116.

If you have no power, use another heat source such as a BBQ to bring the water to a rolling boil for one minute. (Note: keep the BBQ outside at all times. Do not bring it inside the house or garage because charcoal or gas BBQs produce large amounts of carbon monoxide which can be fatal).

If you cannot boil your drinking water, then add purifying tablets or plain, unscented household bleach. Add half a teaspoon of bleach per 10 litres of water, mix and leave for at least 30 minutes or follow instructions on purifying tablets. Store treated water in a covered container.

Meals on Wheels

Please note that Meals on Wheels is not operating. If you need support please ring the Civil Defence Emergency Management.

Staffing

Given the challenges travelling around the region, we are standing up an Emergency Department at Napier Health Centre.

Hawke’s Bay Hospital is mindful of the difficulties some staff may face in turning up for work due to poor access in some areas through the region and is proactively developing rosters for upcoming evening and night shifts.

We are asking any of our local nurses who are available, and can safely travel to the hospital, to present to the hospital Operations Centre on the second floor of the Tower Block, call the Roster Office or email emergency.response@hbdhb.govt.nz to express their availability over the next 72 hours.

Staff who are based in Napier and have availability to assist are asked to please present to Napier Health Centre to assist there.

Details regarding any assistance required in Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay will be forthcoming.

Plans are being put in place to ensure accommodation and food will be provided, close to the hospital, for staff who are unable to return home safely.