The Christchurch Haematology Service is a tertiary centre for the South Island of New Zealand. We provide a comprehensive specialist service for patients with blood disorders which include Bone Marrow transplantation (both autologous and allogeneic), treatment for haematological malignancies, bleeding and thrombotic disorders. The Department keenly supports the advancement of staff skills, training and is active in co-ordinating and conducting clinical trials. It receives support from local and national charitable bodies and is supporting basic research through its affiliated groups.
The Department offers a service that is committed to the provision of the highest quality healthcare within a multi-disciplinary setting through:
The Department consists of:
Christchurch Outpatients Building
2 Oxford Terrace
Phone: 03 364 0384
Fax: 03 364 1432
Located within the Medical Day Unit (MDU), near the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU), the west side of Christchurch Hospital
Phone: 03 364 1180
Located near the main entrance of the Riverside Block in Christchurch Hospital
Phone: 03 364 0660
Christchurch Outpatients Building
2 Oxford Terrace
Phone: 03 364 1246
Haematology Department
Private Bag 4710
CHRISTCHURCH 8001
View Christchurch Hospital Map listing Haematology locations.
The Canterbury Haematology Service provides a comprehensive specialised service for patients in the South Island, New Zealand, with a wide variety of blood disorders. We deliver high quality patient-focused care, from assessment and diagnostic investigations, through to individualised treatment plans and follow-up care. We have a full range of outpatient, day stay and inpatient facilities, as well as off-site accommodation facilities for out of town patients and family.
We treat patients with a wide range of disorders, such as:
The Haematology Department has a highly skilled team of specialist doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who work closely together, and with other departments, to ensure the highest level of health care for our patients.
You will be under the care of one Haematology Consultant (Haematologist) who is your lead doctor with overall responsibility for your care. Your lead Haematologist will be supported by 6 other Haematologists, 5 Registrars and 1 House Surgeon. All doctors rotate through the BMTU inpatient facility and outpatient clinics, any changes to your care will be discussed with your lead Haematologist.
Areas of clinical interest include;
Areas of clinical interest include;
Areas of clinical interest include:
Areas of clinical interest include:
Areas of clinical interest include;
Areas of clinical interest include:
The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU) is the inpatient ward at Christchurch Hospital for Haematology patients. The unit receives patients from over the South Island.
BMTU has been in place since 1991 caring for Haematology patients and those having autologous (“The patient and the donor are the same person”) and allogeneic (“Stem cells are donated by another person, they may be a relative or unrelated”) stem cell (bone marrow) transplants. Bone marrow transplants have been occurring at Christchurch Hospital since 1979 for the treatment of cancers of the blood such as leukaemia, myeloma, lymphomas and solid tumours.
BMTU is a fifteen bed facility, including nine single isolation rooms, each with ensuite facilities. These rooms have special air filtration systems to help reduce the risk of infection. Patients who have received intensive treatment regimes are usually nursed in these rooms. Isolation rooms have a telephone with a direct dial number, television, x-box, radio and CD player, refrigerator (for drinks only), toaster, microwave (for some reheating, see guidelines for use next to the microwave) and tea and coffee making facilities.
BMTU is staffed by a Charge Nurse Manager, Clinical Nurse Specialist and 20 registered nurses. The Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Coordinator, Dietitian, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Physiotherapy and Social Workers regularly visit patients on our ward.
Please see the Patient and Visitor Information page for essential information on visiting hours and how you can help keep your family and friends safe from infections when you visit them.
Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
Phone: 03 364 0660
The primary objective of the Haematology clinical trials (research) programme is to improve the standards of care offered to our patients by participating in well designed clinical trials which can offer access to innovative treatments and drugs not normally available within New Zealand.
The Haematologists are responsible for clinical research within their area of expertise and are supported by two Senior Research Coordinators, an Ethics Coordinator and a Research Assistant. The clinical research team have a wide range of experience in trial work, including phase II and III studies, FDA registration studies, complying with ICH-GCP guidelines, data management, drug administration, patient education and quality assurance.
Professional Associations include the following local and international groups:
The Haemostasis service provides thrombosis management across a range of services.
Patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) and those requiring anticoagulation for peri-operative procedures are treated on an outpatient basis. It is also the comprehensive haemophilia treatment centre for the South Island providing outpatient care for patients and families with inherited bleeding disorders.
The service also provides genetic diagnosis of the haemophilias, carrier diagnosis and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (where applicable) for patients with inherited bleeding disorders.
It is a nurse-led service and includes a clinical nurse research coordinator. The service is overseen by Dr Mark Smith who specialises in thrombotic and bleeding disorders.
Haemostasis Service, Christchurch Outpatients Building, 2 Oxford Terrace
Clinic Hours: 8.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.
Phone: 03 364 1246
Pager: 8527
Haematology patients have treatments in the Medical Day Unit (MDU), near the Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) on the west side of Christchurch Hospital.
The MDU provides a wide range of treatments to Haematology patients who have malignant and non-malignant disease and receive their treatment as an outpatient. These include donor leukocyte infusions, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, chemotherapy administration, blood tests and other tests required for post-transplant care and additional haematology treatments.
The area is managed by Charge Nurse Manager with support from a Clinical Nurse Specialist and haematology trained nurses.
The Medical Day Unit is open from 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Phone: Ward Clerk 364 1180 or ext 81180 or Nurse Coordinator 364 8402/364 8131 or ext 88402/88131
The Haematology Outpatient service is located in the Christchurch Outpatients Building at 2 Oxford Terrace, opposite Christchurch Hospital. View a map of Christchurch Hospital campus.
Outpatient clinics are held every week day with a Haematology Consultant or Registrar.
The Outpatient Registered Nurse is available to perform minor procedures and answer patient queries, phone 03 364 0384.
If you are unable to keep your appointment, please advise the Outpatient receptionist on (03) 364 0384 as soon as possible so we can use this time for other patients.
Car parking around Christchurch Hospital is very limited. Please allow plenty of time to find a park and get to the clinic. There is very limited free 90 minute car parking outside the Canterbury Health Laboratory building.
There are metered street parks available, the charges are advised on the payment machines which accept coins, EFTPOS and credit card payment.
You can also use the Christchurch Hospital shuttle bus from Lichfield Street Car Park.
If you have any questions, please ask a BMTU Nurse or call (03) 364 0660.
See the HealthInfo website for further Haematology patient information.
Listed below are a list of links to informational and support websites, including accomodation and support groups.
HealthInfo contains health information recommended by health professionals, and is specific to Canterbury, New Zealand. This website is provided to help you manage your own health but does not take the place of a medical consultation www.healthinfo.org.nz
Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand (LBC) supports patients and their families living with leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma and related blood conditions www.leukaemia.org.nz
Canteen supports young people living with cancer www.canteen.org.nz
Child Cancer Foundation offers support services to children and their families www.childcancer.org.nz
The Cancer Society of New Zealand aims at reducing the incidence of cancer and ensuring the best cancer care for everyone in New Zealand through support services, research, health promotion and providing a large source of information about cancer and its effects www.cancernz.org.nz
International Myeloma Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients and their families www.myeloma.org
The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust's main function is to run Ranui House which is a caring, supportive, accommodation facility for all out of town patients from all hospital departments and their family from throughout New Zealand. If you are from out-of-town and needing accommodation, please discuss this with your social worker as early as possible for arrangements to be made. www.bmct.org.nz
Haemophilia Foundation of New Zealand supports the needs of people with haemophilia and other related bleeding disorders www.haemophilia.org.nz
Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Foundation is an international foundation established to provide ongoing information regarding MDS www.mds-foundation.org
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation pursues the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments www.themmrf.org
International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation provides mutual support and encouragement for those with Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia, their family members, and others with an interest in the disease www.iwmf.com
The National Cancer Institute is a United States agency providing information on cancer www.cancer.gov
Cancer Council Victoria is an Australian website providing information on cancer www.cancerivc.org.au
MacMillan Cancer Support is an English website providing information on cancer www.macmillan.org.uk
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is a UK charity working towards finding causes, improving diagnosis andtreatements and running groundbreaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients www.leukaemialymphomaresearch.org.uk
Hospital Chaplains are available for you to speak to. Nursing staff can contact them for you. There are interdenominational services held in the hospital Chapel every Sunday. Your own minister is welcome to visit you at any time.
Wig Service is available if you wish. A trained specialist will come to the hospital and personally fit you with a wig or offer other alternatives. Contact: Cutz – Wig Specialist (03) 343 4093 or check out their website www.wigs.co.nz
Look Good, Feel Better is a free service available to all patients who are undergoing treatment for cancer. They offer guidance, information and makeover expertise through their workshops. Contact: 0800 865 432 or check out their website www.lgfb.co.nz
If you are from out-of-town and needing accommodation, please discuss this with the BMT Coordinator as early as possible for arrangements to be made.
Ranui House is a self-contained apartment style accommodation, situated on the corner of Cashel St and Rolleston Avenue (across the road from the hospital). Ranui House is free of charge for all out-of-town patients and their immediate family providing they are eligible and have applied for this before their stay. Phone (03) 377 2515 www.bmct.org.nz
Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation for out-of-town families who have children in hospital with cancer. They are situated on the corner of Montreal and Cashel Street. Families must be eligible and have applied for this before their stay. Phone (03) 377 3311 www.rmhsi.org.nz
Daffodil House is located at 91 Papanui Road, Merivale, and has 23 self contained units each with cooking facilities. Daffodil House is supported by the Cancer Society. Phone (03) 377 6415 www.cancernz.org.nz
Many of our patients or their families ask how they can financially support the activities of the Haematology Department and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit. A number of charitable bodies or trusts have helped us in the past and we recommend that you direct any donation to one of these organisations.
Thank you, all donations are gratefully accepted.
C/- The Clinical Director (or your Haematologist)
Haematology Department
Canterbury District Health Board
Private Bag 4710
Christchurch 8140
Phone (03) 364 0384
PO Box 8339
1 Cambridge Terrace
Christchurch 8013
Phone: (03) 377 2515
Website: www.bmct.org.nz
PO Box 99-182
Newmarket
Auckland
Call Free: 0800 15 10 15
Website: www.leukaemia.org.nz
PO Box 7647
4 Washington Way
Sydenham
Christchurch 8240
Phone: (03) 371 7477
Website: www.haemophilia.org.nz
104 Moorhouse Avenue
PO Box 13450
Christchurch 8141
Phone: 0800 CANCER (0800 226 237)
Email: www.cancernz.org.nz
Page last updated: 26 August 2020
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