Children’s High Care on Level 1 is a small 8 bed unit located alongside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Access to Children’s High Care is via the entrance to the ICU.
The area provides a low nurse to patient ratio allowing time for close monitoring of your child’s condition as instructed by either the medical or surgical team caring for them.
To assist in monitoring your child’s condition you should expect your child to be connected a bedside monitor that will capture your child’s Heart rate, Resp. rate, Oxygen and blood pressure. This information is reviewed by nursing and medical staff.
A whanau/family room is located within the ward with tea, coffee and microwave facilities.
On Level 7, there is the Ronald McDonald parent lounge located just outside B7. There is a washing machine and dryer is located in the parent lounge and available for use. Generic laundry powder is provided. Also available in this area is the Matatiki Hub
Each room has an ensuite bathroom. There is a tv with Freeview channels. This is operated by a bedside remote.
There are reclining chairs available for parents to rest.
Highcare reclining chair
Highcare reclining chair (in reclined bed position)
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.
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 office hours on site Monday – Friday and after hours for emergencies via the operator for the on-call chaplain.
Rev. Moega Lasei
Ph 021 712 895 / Ext 86358
Sheila Mark, Chaplain
Ph 021 569 604 / Ext 89555
Pastor Donna Reid
Ph 021 198 6927 / Ext 89555
Rev. Helen Gray, Maori Chaplain
Ph 021 730 457 / Ext 86372
Rev. Alexa Evenden, Chaplain – Women’s and Children’s Health
Ph 021 708 853 / Ext 85722
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.
If your child is admitted for a surgical procedure as part of your child’s post-operative care you should expect to see both the surgical specialty and the paediatric medical team providing care on that day.
Nursing staff work a variety of 8- and 12-hour shifts, in addition to this there is a Paediatric Registrar and Clinical Nurse Specialist who support the clinical needs for children in the hospital.
Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Paediatric medical rounds commence at 8:30am
Your child and family/whānau will be introduced to your nurse and orientated to the ward. Information will be given to you regarding your child’s care and treatment and the results discussed with you. Please feel free to discuss with the nursing and/or medical staff any queries or concerns you may have during your stay. Your belongings are kept on the ward at your own risk. Please keep your valuables with you at all times.
Most patient High Care rooms have ensuites, except for rooms 5 and 6. There are additional bathroom facilities within the ward. See our Ward Map for more information.
We will provide you with discharge letters, scripts, instructions and any relevant information regarding your child’s follow up. Please notify your nurse when leaving. Please check your room before leaving to ensure you have taken all your belongings, including checking sockets and storage unit.
You can also view and download a PDF file version of the map of High Care Ward Map (2.5MB, PDF)
Page last updated: 2 December 2020
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