A7 is a 20 bed ward located on Level 7 of Christchurch Hospital Waipapa. The ward caters for children aged 0-15 years and provides care for medical conditions and some surgical interventions for babies.
Children can be admitted to A7 where a parent and caregiver can stay with them in their room. We have a great team with experience taking care of children and teenagers and aim to make your child and your hospital experience as positive as possible.
We have a great team with experience taking care of children and teenagers and aim to make your child and your hospital experience as positive as possible. The area features beautiful Matatiki decals and decorations, giving our young patients their own place and some welcome distraction.
A7 Paediatric Medical Ward,
Level 7, Waipapa Building,
Christchurch Hospital Campus
They are the friendly face that you will likely see first when you enter the ward during the day. They will check with you your contact number, address and other details when you are first being admitted into the ward. The Ward Clerk will also show you to your room.
The Ward Clerk will assist you with any enquiries you may have and pass on messages that come into the ward for you. They can also help with notifying other staff on the ward that you require assistance.
Ward Clerks are happy to help when the need arises and enjoy the opportunity if you ever want a friendly chat, too.
The Ward Clerk might come to your room with messages about appointments.
They can help you find your way around the ward.
You can give them money for parent meals you may order.
They are responsible for overseeing the nursing staff and the care they give. They are also responsible for the overall running of the ward. The Charge Nurse Manager will know about you and your child even if you don’t see us during your stay. They will be involved with multidisciplinary team meetings and decisions about your child.
You can ask to see us if you would like to talk about the care your child is getting. You might want to give us feedback about your stay in hospital or about a member of staff.
Child Health Social Workers are Registered Social Workers employed by the CDHB to help and support children and their families who are patients of the Paediatric Service at Christchurch Hospital.
Child Health Social Workers are committed to Bi-Cultural Practice in accordance with the Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and offer support and assistance in areas such as new diagnoses, trauma, chronic conditions impacting on families, care and protection of children, advocacy, and connecting families to community and social supports.
If you would like to talk with a Child Health Social Worker please discuss this with your child’s nurse and/or medical team.
Occupational Therapists help children and their whanau to be as safe & independent as possible with activities they do every day.
This may include toileting, showering, dressing, playing, eating and managing tiredness & routines; maximising how children’s’ brains and bodies work.
Physiotherapists help babies and children who have a variety of different injuries or illnesses to improve their movement and function through play, exercise, education and advice.
The cleaner is responsible for cleaning the ward, bedrooms, bathrooms, dusting, rubbish, vacuuming, wet mopping, replenishing supplies, paper towels, soaps, toilet rolls, removing marks off walls etc.
Parents and children will see a cleaner anytime Monday to Sunday anytime from 6:30-8am start.
Hospital Play Specialists are paediatric healthcare professionals who work with children and families in hospital to help them cope with the challenges of hospitalisation, illness and disability. Their role helps improve patient and family care, satisfaction, and overall experience.
Infants, children and youth confront a wide variety of stressful and potentially traumatic events that can impact their ability to cope in a hospital admission. These experiences related to healthcare can lead to feelings of fear, confusion, loss of control and isolation that can inhibit their development and have negative effects on their physical and emotional health and well-being. Hospital Play Specialists will assess the child’s needs alongside the family and other medical staff, then support and make a plan to get the most desirable outcome.
A child or parent can be referred to a Hospital Pay Specialist by any member of a multi-disciplinary medical team or parent specifically in the Paediatric Wards but not limited to other areas within the hospital. They will provide children with age-appropriate preparation for medical procedures, oral medicine taking difficulties, pain management and coping strategies, and play and self-expression activities.
They also provide information, support, and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members.
We have an Activity Room situated in A7 for all Paediatric inpatients (Both A7 and B7 inpatients) which is licensed by the Ministry of Education as a Hospital Based Education and Care Service. We are regularly reviewed by the Education Review Office and are guided by the Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki. We are staffed by qualified, registered Early Childhood Teachers. This space is a place which is free from medical interventions where children can play; engage, interact with others, express their emotions, make sense of what is happening for them and most importantly have fun.
Hospital Play Specialists also see children in the Paediatric Outpatient ward to support them for blood tests and other non-admission procedures. Paediatric Outpatient Staff will make a referral to assist children in this area.
Ko tā te Whānau o Hauora Māori, he manaaki i ngā tūroro me ā rātou whānau kia māmā ake te whakamātūtū a te tūroro. E ngana ana te whānau o Hauora Māori ki te tūtaki i ngā tūroro o te hōhipera. He pai noa hoki te tono mo tētahi kaiāwhina hei tautoko i a koe. Mā ngā nēhi to puka e tukuna, rānei waea atu ki te kaimahi Hauora Māori 027 458 0095.
The Māori Health team work closely with patients and their whānau to better navigate the health care system. The Māori Health team attempt to meet all Māori patients admitted to the hospital, however if you feel that you would like the support of Māori Health throughout your admission, referrals can be made through the nursing staff. Alternatively, you can contact the paediatric Māori Health worker on 027 458 0095.
Paediatric pharmacists are part of the wider multi-disciplinary team who care for all children admitted to hospital or in the outpatient clinics. Ultimately they’re responsible for the provision of appropriate medicines for the patients and act as ‘drug detectives’ to ensure that the medications that are charted for the child are appropriate for their clinical condition.
Patients and families can most frequently spot the paediatric pharmacists in their natural habitat on the ward. They’re most likely to encounter the pharmacist when they’re first admitted, when new medications are started and when they’re preparing to leave the ward and venture back out into the wide world. Paediatric pharmacists are also a great source of knowledge around complementary and alternative medicines for children so please discuss any questions you have with them.
Chaplains respond to the spiritual, emotional and pastoral needs of patients and their whanau/family. We do this by being a ‘presence’, by listening, affirming other cultures and religions, and by prayers, blessings, encouragement and support. their clinical condition.
Chaplains are available during office hours on-site Monday to Friday, and after hours for emergencies via the operator for the on-call chaplain.
Rev. Moega Lasei
Ph 021 712 895 / Ext 86358
Pastor Helen Sturgeon
Ph 021 569 604 / Ext 89555
Romeo Apache
Ph 021 708 853 / Ext 89555
Pastor Donna Reid Chaplain – Women’s and Children’s Health
Ph 021 198 6927 / Ext 89555
Rev. Helen Gray, Maori Chaplain
Ph 021 730 457 / Ext 86372
Angela McCormick, Roman Catholic Chaplain
Ph 021 702 378 / Ext 89554
Food services is one of the many teams you’ll meet during your stay at Christchurch Hospital. We are fortunate to have passionate assistants like Destiny, who will always take the time to get to know our families.
Not only does Destiny deliver the all-important goodies to our patients, she will check in to make sure our patients are getting exactly what they need – and none of what they don’t if they have allergies or special nutritional requirements. Did you know that fewer than half our patients have ‘set’ meals, so we’re well equipped and ready to make sure patient’s food is prepared especially for them.
Please take the time to introduce yourself to Destiny and her colleagues when they come around to take orders or deliver meals.
A7 is a 20 bed ward for children needing hospitalisation for medical conditions and for infants under one year of age who need surgery. Children up to the age of 15 years are can be admitted to A7 where a parent and caregiver can stay with them in their room. We have a great team with experience taking care of children and aim to make your child and your hospital experience as positive as possible.
There are three nursing shifts over a 24 hour period – so expect to see different nurses faces throughout your stay.
The morning shift starts at 06:45 – 3:15 pm, afternoon shift 2:30-11:00pm, and night shift from 10:30pm-7:00am. Some nurses on our ward work 8-hour length shifts, and others work 12-hour length shifts.
When nurses are handing over their patients between shifts, they will usually come into your room to do a bedside handover with you and your child.
At this time your "About Me" board will be updated with information that everyone needs to know such as your nurse's name, your child's diet, estimated discharge date and any other information that is important to you.
Ward Rounds are conducted by our paediatric doctors which usually start around 9am. They will review your child’s condition and discuss this with you along with any tests or procedures required and their results. This is also a good time to share any concerns you may have about your child’s condition or the medical management with the medical team. The time that the doctors see your child on ward rounds depends on the number of children staying in hospital and how unwell they are.
There are several specialist services that may also be involved with your child's care, including:
Meals will be provided for your child. Tea, coffee and toast is provided for the parent or caregiver who is living in. You can ask your nurse about meal options for caregivers. We support breastfeeding mothers with equipment for expressing and for breast milk storage.
Nursing staff will regularly check on you and your child throughout the day and night, making routine observations (like temperature, blood pressure, respiration and heart rate) to monitor your child's condition. We try to do this as quietly as possible, especially at night.
When it's time to go home, check your room carefully to make sure nothing is left behind, including charging cables. you will be given instructions about prescriptions and follow up appointments. You may also be given information leaflets about your child's condition.
You can also view and download a PDF file version of the map of A7 Paediatric Medical Ward Map (2.5MB, PDF)
Page last updated: 16 January 2023
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