CLINICAL SKILLS UNIT

About the Clinical Skills Unit

The Clinical Skills Unit is a unique entity based on site at Christchurch Hospital and is dual funded from the Canterbury District Health Board and the University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences (CSMHS). The unit was opened on the 28th June, 2002 with the mission to provide training in clinical skills and the opportunity to practice them, for all health disciplines in the CDHB and the CSMHS. One goal is to standardise procedures and equipment based on best practice/evidence to minimize risk to both patients and staff and rationalize the use of resources. The Clinical Skills Unit is committed to multi-disciplinary education and the provision of a well -organised and non-threatening environment.

Clinical Skills Advisory Committee
Staff: Who's Who at the Clinical Skills Unit
Where to find us ?
Current Skills Unit Courses

Clinical Skills Advisory Committee

The members are as follows :

Director CSU 0.2 FTE, Dr Phil Hider
Robyn Endre, Co-ordinator

Canterbury District Health Board

John Thwaites, Director METU
Dale Sheehan, Education Advisor METU
Penny Ingram, Resuscitation Training Coordinator
Becky Hickmott, Nurse Manager, Professional Development Unit
Jo-Anne Saunders, Nurse Educator, Christchurch Hospital/Women's Hospital
Therese Kilkenny, Nurse Educator, Christchurch Hospital
Allied Health - Penny Maher

Otago University, Christchurch

Assoc Prof Tim Wilkinson, University of Otago
Anthony Ali, Education Advisor, University of Otago (Current Chairman)
MaryLeigh Moore, Skills Director, University of Otago
MaryJo Gagan, Post Grad Nursing, University of Otago

Staff: Who's Who at the Clinical Skills Unit

Robyn Endre is the co-ordinator for the unit. The clinical skills advisory Group provides overall governance with representatives from the major stakeholders.

Robyn Endre (1.0)

Robyn can be contacted on ext 364-1673 or
Email: robyn.endre@cdhb.govt.nz

Where to find us ?
The Clinical Skills Unit is situated within the Professional Development Unit (PDU) building at Christchurch Hospital, behind the Hagley Hostel.

View Location Map

Current Skills Unit Courses

Christchurch Hospital NZRC Core Resuscitation Course Programme for 2009
Venepuncture/IV Cannulation Dates for 2009

Ring 364-0646 for the above 3 courses.

House Officers Wed afternoon teachings (Nurses welcome) - 3.30 - 5.00pm.

Recycling & Aid

The Clinical Skills Unit needs a constant supply of equipment for practicing different clinical procedures. To ensure that it is a cost effective training facility, we can use “unwanted”, “out of date” or “broken seal” packs and supplies. By recycling in this manner, we reduce the need to buy this equipment new.

All materials for recycling should have had NO PATIENT CONTACT.
Goods that are most needed are those which are used for the following procedures:

IV Cannulation
Urinary catheterisation
Joint injection
Venepuncture / arterial blood sampling
Suturing
Lumbar puncture
PICC line management
Chest drains,catheters and Seldinger kits
All other equipment from the wards is used as well.

We would encourage each ward or department to have a “recycling” box. In this could be put the excess cotton wool, goods in damaged packaging, out of date materials etc etc. Even out of date medicines are used for teaching.

Recycling medical goods through the Clinical Skills Unit has another dimension. Goods that are surplus to our teaching needs and which are medically safe are being collected by NZ Redcross Canterbury District for special projects in Fiji and other Pacific islands. Some goods and equipment are also donated to CPIT for use in the Bachelor of Nursing.

Please note - only UNUSED equipment - i.e. has not had contact with a patient - is accepted for teaching use or charity aid.

Phone Robyn on ext 364-1673 when it is ready to be emptied, or if you need any further information.