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CUP book

Rising from the Rubble: A health system's extraordinary response to the Canterbury earthquakes

20 November 2023

By Michael Ardagh and Joanne Deely

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November 2018
$15 (was $39.99)
304pp, softback with flaps
230 x 170mm
ISBN: 978-1-98-850306-6

Awarded 'Best Heritage non-fiction book about Canterbury and the West Coast in 2019 NZSA Christchurch Branch Heritage Literary Awards

How do health care workers manage disaster on an unprecedented scale?

The 2011 Canterbury earthquakes were more challenging to the regions health system than anyone could have expected.

Rising from the Rubble

The injured needed immediate treatment, buildings and equipment were badly damaged, aftershocks continued to rock the area, and communities were disrupted by flooding, liquefaction and fear. Despite this, many ordinary people hospital and laboratory staff, general practitioners (GPs), pharmacists and others accomplished extraordinary things in the aftermath of such devastation.

Rising from the Rubblegives a compelling account of those who rallied to maintain and rebuild essential health services, maintaining continuity of care for the most vulnerable from older people to those with kidney failure as well as dealing with the significant ongoing impact on mental health. From the immediate emergency response after the earthquakes to sustaining health services over the following years in highly demanding circumstances, the stories of medical staff joining forces, collaborating and volunteering are infused with sadness, pride and even joy.

Based on interviews with those who lived and worked through the Canterbury earthquakes, and the authors own experiences,Rising from the Rubbleis an inspiring testament to commitment and recovery.

'This book tells the stories, often in deeply personal ways, about how the health care system and the community staggered and responded.'
From the Foreword by Sir Peter Gluckman

Michael Ardagh(ONZM, PhD, MBChB, DCH, FACEM) is Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Otago, Christchurch, and Emergency Medicine Specialist with the Canterbury District Health Board.

Joanne Deely(PhD, BSc, GDipTeach, GDID, MRSNZ) is an independent scientist and professional science writer. She researches and writes for the Canterbury District Health Board and for New 厙ぴ勛圖universities.

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