VISITING HOSPITAL

All hospital visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask. Expand this message for information about visiting hospital.

Last updated:
13 March 2023

Some visitor restrictions for all Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury hospitals and health facilities remain in place, but we have relaxed others.

There is still a heightened risk to vulnerable people in hospital and so we recommend all people wear a mask when visiting any of our facilities and follow other advice designed to keep patients, staff and  visitors safe.

To keep everybody safe:

  • Visitors or support people must not visit our facilities if they are unwell. Do not visit if you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and haven’t completed your isolation period.
  • Patients may have more than one visitor, except in some situations such as multi-bed rooms where it can cause overcrowding.
  • Surgical/medical masks are recommended to be worn at all sites. Masks will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • For Specialist Mental Health Services everyone is strongly encouraged to wear a face mask in all inpatient areas and areas where consumers are receiving care (i.e. community appointments, home-visits, transporting people). Discretion may be applied in cases where masks impair your ability to communicate effectively.
  • Visitors must not eat or drink in multibed rooms because of the increased risk when multiple people remove their face mask in the same space.
  • Hand sanitiser is available and must be used.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as our staff work hard to protect and care for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

Visiting patients with COVID-19

  • People can visit patients who have COVID-19 but they must wear an N95 mask – this will be provided if you don’t have one.
  • Other methods of communication will be facilitated e.g. phone, Facetime, Zoom, WhatsApp etc where visits aren’t possible.

All of our Hospitals

Visiting hours for our hospitals have returned to pre COVID-19 hours with the exception of Christchurch Women’s Hospital.

All visitors are recommended to wear a medical face mask.

Parents/caregivers are able to be with their child in hospital and visitors are now allowed, except for the Children’s Haematology and Oncology Day stay where just one parent/caregiver is able to attend their appointment with their child. Exceptions by special arrangement only.

Patients and visitors should also read the additional more detailed visiting guidelines for each specific hospital.

More COVID-19 information

A6 Child Haematology and Oncology Centre (CHOC)

Welcome to the Children’s Haematology Oncology Centre (CHOC) at Christchurch Hospital.

CHOC is one of two specialist treatment centres for childhood cancer in New Zealand, the other being Starship Hospital. We care for infants, children and adolescents with cancer, and their families/whanau. CHOC comprises 11 in-patient beds, each with an ensuite. There is also a Day Stay area where some children receive a continuation of their treatment, be provided supportive treatment like antibiotics or blood and blood products and, have check-ups.

It’s a daunting experience discovering you have a life changing illness to deal with, and there is so much information coming at you and your family from all directions. We are here to assist and support you throughout your child’s treatment.

The health care team here at CHOC is focused on helping you and your family settle in and get through this challenging time. Please feel comfortable to ask lots of questions and we will help you find the answers.

Controlling the spread of infection is vitally important for the wellbeing of CHOC patients. If family/whānau members are unwell with a cold, flu, ‘tummy bug’, or have been in contact with anyone with an infectious disease such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough or chicken pox in the last two to three weeks, please do not visit. Specifically, if you or a member of your family has had gastroenteritis they should not visit for at least 48 hours after resolution of symptoms. Discuss the problem with your Oncologist or senior nurse if it is a close family/whānau member or caregiver who is unwell. If a sibling or patient themselves has been in close contact with an infectious person at school or preschool please contact CHOC for further guidance and advice on this.

At Te Whatu Ora we have a hand hygiene policy in which we follow, to reduce the spread of infection.

 TIP//  We strongly advise you to regularly wash your hands with either; soap and water or hand sanitiser provided around the ward. This is to not only keep your own child safe but also the other children on the ward.

Please ensure you are performing good hand hygiene upon entering CHOC, when handling food, using the family or activity room and when assisting your child with hygiene cares, as well as any other time appropriate. If you feel as though a member of staff has not appropriately washed their hands before touching your child for any intervention/procedure please feel free to ask them to.

The family room is located next to the Activity Room on CHOC, down the right corridor past the day stay area.

The family room is open for families to use 24/7, offering cooking facilities and a sitting area to relax and interact with other families on the ward. The cupboards, fridge and freezer are filled with snacks, food to be cooked and frozen meals for families to help themselves to. This food is donated by the Child Cancer Foundation and Ronald McDonald House, but please be mindful that this is for all families on the ward.

 TIP//  If you wish to bring your own food in, please store it in a labelled container in the fridge, freezer or drawer provided.

There are drawers that are numbered with each room number to allow storage space for each family, in this draw is a container that is also labelled with your room number that you can use for fridge storage. Remember to take all your food home on discharge as we have limited space. Also, please ensure food has not expired or past its use by date.

 NOTE//  Alcohol is not permitted within the hospital.

Cooking facilities include:

  • an oven,
  • stove top and
  • microwave.

 TIP//  It is very important to keep the kitchen clean at all times. Please remember a lot of our children are susceptible to infection. Hand hygiene is an important when using the shared facilities and when preparing food.

 NOTE//  The hospital has a hot drink policy that requires everyone to use cups that ensure a secure lid to prevent spillages of hot fluids.

We encourage families and children to utilise the space and eat their meals in the dining area of the kitchen to establish a normal daily routine, as you would at home for your child.

Southern Health School

The Southern Health School is a State Special School for students for Years 1-13. Primary and Secondary school students who are missing school time due to their illness and spending time in hospital have access to this service to help keep them learning and get them back to school as soon as they are well enough. They prepare and locate resources and learning programmes for students. Arrange correspondence school lessons for students as appropriate as well as online learning. Part of their role is to liaise with students’ usual school and teachers, to support each students’ learning needs. Social work will help you with your child’s enrolment into Health School.

Child Cancer Foundation

At some stage of diagnoses you will meet with a member of Child Cancer Foundation (CCF), who offer support for the patient and families that have a child living with the impacts of cancer. They offer personalised support for families whilst going through a stressful time. They assist with travel costs, personal development grants, household support and support in the community. CCF also have holiday homes that they allow families to book and spend time together. Social work is able to assist you with the help and support you require from CCF.

CCF also have the Beads of Courage programme which provides a physical story behind a child’s cancer journey. Each bead represents a treatment, an experience or milestone throughout their treatment. There is also a Siblings Beads of Courage programme, please speak with your Family Support Coordinator from CCF for further information on this.

CanTeen

CanTeen is a support service that offers a wide range of services for those aged 13-24 dealing with cancer treatment. It is not only offered to the individual themselves undergoing treatment but is also a support service for siblings. They offer individual support as they understand everyone is affected differently. They have specially trained staff and youth workers who run events and programmes that allow our older children to meet other young people in similar situations as them. It is a service that helps young people to develop new coping skills and to have fun. They are available to work with you face to face, over the phone or on skype. Social work is able to help you to gain contact with a member of CanTeen to get the support you need.

It is really important that you feel comfortable to call CHOC if you have any concerns regarding your child’s treatment and condition. Our friendly ward assistant or CHOC nurse will answer the phone and assist you as best they can.

Our CHOC 24-hour hotline is 03 364 1821

The Activity Room is a licensed Education Centre that provides educational resources for inpatient paediatric patients from birth to 16 years. Parents and children can access educational resources to take back to their room.

The Activity Room is staffed by registered teachers/hospital play specialists. They are available on request and their role includes: provision of developmentally appropriate distractions for procedures and medical interventions, support for anxiety, fears and settling into the hospital environment.

 

Telephones, cell phones and patient enquiries

A telephone is available for parents.  Please ask your nurse for assistance with this.

 NOTE//  Cell phones must not be used within one metre of medical equipment.

Patient enquiries to the ward need to be kept to a minimum due to our busy area. Please liaise with other family/whānau members to avoid disruption during the day. Patient confidentiality restricts us from giving out information over the telephone. You can phone 03 364 0640 and ask for patient enquiries. Basic information about your child’s condition will be given. Anything more will need to come from you or a family member.

Toilets/showers for parents/caregivers

Toilets and showers are located within your child’s room. You can access towels from the ward. Please ensure privacy and consideration for others. When finished with towels or linen, please place them into the appropriate coloured laundry bag  at the end of the hall.

Laundry facilities

There is a washing machine and dryer available for families located within the Ward. Washing powder is also available. Do not use these machines if your child is in isolation, please talk to your nurse.

Family/Whanau Room

The family room is located next to the Activity Room on CHOC, down the right corridor past the day stay area.

The family room is open for families to use 24/7, offering cooking facilities and a sitting area to relax and interact with other families on the ward. The cupboards, fridge and freezer are filled with snacks, food to be cooked and frozen meals for families to help themselves to. This food is donated by the Child Cancer Foundation and Ronald McDonald House, but please be mindful that this is for all families on the ward.

 TIP//  If you wish to bring your own food in, please store it in a labelled container in the fridge, freezer or drawer provided.

There are draws that are numbered with each room number to allow storage space for each family, in this draw is a container that is also labelled with your room number that you can use for fridge storage. Remember to take all your food home on discharge as we have limited space. Also, please ensure food has not expired or past its use by date.

 NOTE//  Alcohol is not permitted within the hospital.

Cooking facilities include:

  • an oven,
  • stove top and
  • microwave.

 TIP//  It is very important to keep the kitchen clean at all times. Please remember a lot of our children are susceptible to infection. Hand hygiene is an important when using the shared facilities and when preparing food.

 NOTE//  The hospital has a hot drink policy that requires everyone to use cups that ensure a secure lid to prevent spillages of hot fluids.

We encourage families and children to utilise the space and eat their meals in the dining area of the kitchen to establish a normal daily routine, as you would at home for your child.

Matatiki Hub

This shared play area is for Children inpatients and their families/whanau. It is located on level 7 and has Radio Lollipop located within this space. This is open from 8am to 8pm.

Internet access

Free public Wi-Fi internet access is available in Christchurch Hospital for members of the public. Follow the five steps below to connect any wireless device to our free Wi-Fi.

  1. Go to settings
  2. Click Wi-Fi
  3. Click DHB Public WI-FI
  4. Click ‘I Accept’ to accept the terms and conditions
  5. Wait 10 seconds for the authentication process to finish
  6. You should now be connected to the DHB Public WI-FI 

Sites and content deemed inappropriate will be blocked when using the service. Similarly content accessed by people within Te Whatu Ora facilities on their own network is subject to Te Whatu Ora policy. It will not be possible to download material like movies due to file size.

Shopping malls and supermarkets

  • City shopping with fashion stores, restaurants, beauty salons, homewares and a market – available at The Crossing, Cashel Mall (including Ballantynes), Riverside Market and the Terraces (800m, 10 min walk)
  • Westfield Riccarton (Pak’n’Save) – cnr Riccarton Rd and Rotherham St (2.4km, 30 min walk)
  • South City Mall – cnr Durham St and Moorhouse Ave (1.4km, 17 min walk)
  • New World supermarket – cnr Durham St and Moorhouse Ave (1.4km, 17 min walk)
  • Pak’n’Save and Countdown supermarkets – 347 Moorhouse Ave, just past Colombo St (1.9km, 24 min walk)

Cafes

  • Antigua Boatshed Café – good choice of cabinet food or menu items. A great location next to the river to watch the punting, located at 2 Cambridge Tce. Phone: 03 366 6768
  • ilex Café – located in the middle of Christchurch Botanic Gardens it offers a pleasant space for a social catch up, a special lunch or just a deliciously hot coffee for your stroll through the gardens. 03 941 5556
  • Robert Harris Café – well known for their premium coffee and delicious range of freshly baked snacks and meals. Located in the YMCA building as 12 Hereford Street (600m, 7 min walk)

Movie Theatre

  • EntX Hoyts cinema and dining, corner Colombo and Lichfield Streets (1km, 15 min walk)

Playground

  • Christchurch Botanic Gardens, follow the path opposite Lower Ground Riverside entrance (easy grade path 1km, 15 min walk)

Feeding Ducks

  • Go by the river directly opposite Lower Ground floor Riverside entrance

 

Christchurch Activities and Attractions

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

Christchurch’s beautiful Botanic Gardens are open to the public. They have the closest playground to the hospital and are definitely worth a visit. They also have a golf course, tennis courts and outdoor bowling green.
Distance 1km, 15 min walk

Punting on the Avon River

Admire the botanic gardens or the changing face of the city centre while being expertly guided gently along the Avon River on an authentic Edwardian punting tour.
[insert pic – Punting on the Avon]
Where Depart from the Antigua Boatsheds, Cambridge Terrace
(300m, 4 min walk)
Hours 9.00am-6.00pm (October to March)
10.00am-4.00pm (April to September)
More info www.welcomeaboard.co.nz/punting/

Canterbury Museum

Housed in an exquisite historic building, Canterbury Museum is world renowned for its natural and human history collections. A frequently changing programme of exhibitions and events complements the museum’s permanent displays. Of particular interest are the outstanding Maori exhibits, the Victorian Christchurch Street and the Antarctic collection. There is also interactive fun for the children in the Discovery area. Browse the museum shop or relax in the café, with tree-top views of the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens.
[insert pic – Canterbury museum]
Where Rolleston Avenue, City 8013, Christchurch
(500m from Parkside Hospital entrance,
5 min walk)
Hours 9.00am-5.30pm (October to March)
9.00am–5.00pm (April to September)
Phone +64 3 366 5000
More info www.canterburymuseum.com
Information taken from Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism at www.christchurchnz.com

Christchurch Tram

Combine history and sightseeing while enjoying a journey through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre on board a beautifully restored heritage tram.
Where: closest stop to the hospital is by the Canterbury Museum
(500m, 5 min walk)
Hours 9.00am-6.00pm (September to March)
10.00am-5.00pm (April to August)
More information http://welcomeaboard.co.nz/christchurch-tram/

Tūranga Public Library

Main public library located in Cathedral Square. As well as the usual reading and study spaces there are also spaces for other activities, such as the Discovery Wall which lets you swipe through a virtual world on New Zealand’s largest digital touch-screen, children’s play zone, craft sessions, etc.
Where cnr Colombo Street and Gloucester Road, Christchurch
(1.4km, 14 min walk)

Hours 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday
For further information see the Christchurch City Council website 

Christchurch Art Gallery

The spectacular Christchurch Art Gallery, just a few minutes’ walk from Cathedral Square, exhibits a range of local and international exhibitions. Browse through one of New Zealand’s largest art collections, including a superb selection of works by Canterbury artists. Enjoy one of the free guided tours or use the iPod audio tour. There is also an exciting programme of events and family/whānau activities. The building was used as Civil Defence headquarters for Christchurch following the earthquakes.
Where cnr Worcester Boulevard and Montreal Street, Christchurch
(850m, 10 min walk)
Hours 10.00am to 9.00pm
Phone +64 3 941 7300
Further info https://christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Margaret Mahy Playground

The Margaret Mahy Playground is on the banks of the Avon River in the Christchurch central city. It features a mix of playground equipment, interactive spaces, gardens, artwork, water features, recreational and picnic areas, visitor parking, and public facilities to be used and enjoyed by children and adults alike.
Where 177 Armagh Street, Christchurch (1.8km 22 min walk along the Avon River to Armagh Street, or a 10 min drive)

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

New Zealand wildlife, conservation and Maori culture joining in harmony for up close, hands on and personal experience for young and old. 100% Kiwi viewing guarantee.
Where Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, 60 Hussey Road, Harewood 8051, Christchurch
(11km, 20 min drive)
Hours daily 10.00am to 10.00pm
Phone +64 3 359 6226
More info www.willowbank.co.nz

International Antarctic Centre

The Antarctic Attraction is the modern day shop window for Antarctica. This is a fun, exciting and hands-on experience for all the family/whānau to enjoy. This includes the indoor Snow & Ice Experience, the Penguin Encounter which is New Zealand’s first combined indoor/outdoor penguin viewing area featuring Little Blue penguins and an exhilarating outdoor adventure ride in the Hagglund, a genuine Antarctic all-terrain vehicle. A free penguin shuttle to the Antarctic Centre leaves on the hour from outside the Canterbury Museum on Rolleston Avenue.
Where 38 Orchard Road, Christchurch Airport, Harewood 8053, Christchurch
(11km, 20 min drive)
Phone 0508 736 4846
More info www.iceberg.co.nz

Air Force Museum

Come and marvel at our collection of classic aircraft, be inspired by the bravery of present and past servicemen, servicewomen and their families, fly a simulator, take a guided tour and step back in time in a replica 1940’s home. Your journey through the Air Force Museum of New Zealand will be something very special.
Where 45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram 8042, Christchurch (7.5km, 14 min drive)
Hours daily 10.00am to 5.00pm
Phone +64 3 343 9532
More info www.airforcemuseum.co.nz

Ferrymead Heritage Park

Stroll Ferrymead Heritage Park’s village – a snapshot of Christchurch life in the 1900s – and explore specialty technology museums including rural history, printing, photography and film, radio and gramophones, post and telegraph and aeronautics. A steam train runs every summer Sunday and the first Sunday of March to November. Trams run every weekend, school holidays and public holidays. Admission includes unlimited train and tram rides. [insert link to https://www.ferrymead.org.nz/Admission/ ]

Where 50 Ferrymead Park Drive, Heathcote 8022, Christchurch (10.4km, 20 min drive)
Hours 10.00am to 4.30pm every day except Christmas Day
Phone: +64 3 384 1970
More info www.ferrymead.org.nz

Other attractions in and around the city

Check out other attractions in and around the city by visiting the Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism 

Page last updated: 2 November 2023

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