Health warning system comms up for review
Community and Public Health will review its process for issuing public health warnings through the media after a release warning residents of algae in a public pond wasn’t sent until 18 days after the toxic bacteria was discovered.
The blue-green algae cyanobacteria was confirmed as having been found in the Centennial Park pond on December 23. News of a public health warning was released last Tuesday. Environment Canterbury (ECan) and Timaru District Council staff erected signs erected around the park on December 23. ECan published a warning notice on its website on December 25.
Community and Public Health South Canterbury regional manager Neil Brosnahan said it was not a legal requirement for a public health warning to go out to the media in such situations. Warning signs were a key component, as was the use of appropriate websites. Media releases are also used and it was unfortunate the holiday period meant a delay.
‘‘We are reviewing our processes to ensure that these take into consideration what happens during public holidays and media alerts don’t get delayed.’’
South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB) chief executive Nigel Trainor said the role of notifying the public of health warnings is held by Community and Public Health and ECan. The board voluntarily helps support this process by alerting South Canterbury media on behalf of Community and Public Health.
‘‘Alerting the media is only one aspect to notifying the public and it would be disappointing to suggest that as there was a delay in alerting the local media, that this was a delay in notifying the public,’’ he said.
‘‘As a health system we work together to ensure efficiency of communications for our community. Rather than have Community and Public Health communicate to the media from the Christchurch office, our local communications manager supports the liaison with our local media. The delay was due to the communications manager being on annual leave during the Christmas period.’’
It was unusual for the communications manager role to be uncovered during annual leave.
ECan senior water quality scientist Shirley Hayward said it was important the public was warned about the health risks associated with toxic algae as it could pose serious health risks if ingested or touched.