Level 3
160 Grafton Road Grafton
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
Level 3
160 Grafton Road Grafton
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
All children with cancer in New Zealand have their care co-ordinated by a Specialist Treatment Centre. There are two Specialist Treatment Centres for childhood cancers in Aotearoa: the Starship Blood and Cancer Centre in Auckland and the Children’s Haematology Oncology Centre in Christchurch.
For children and families who live outside of Auckland or Christchurch, some care and treatment will be provided closer to home at their local hospital. This is called ‘Shared Care’ and is a partnership between the Specialist Centre and the patient’s local hospital (Shared Care Centre). The Specialist Centre and Shared Care Centre work closely together so that as much of the treatment, as safely as possible, can be given closer to home. There are 14 shared care centres in Aotearoa.
Both the Specialist Treatment Centres and the Shared Care Centres have multidisciplinary teams. These teams include a range of specialists such as nurses, doctors, social workers, play specialists, teachers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, Kaiatawhai (Māori Support Liaison), Pacific Island support workers, child psychologists, and psychiatrists.
Patients living in the North Island from Cape Reinga to North of Wellington are referred to the Specialist Centre at Starship Hospital, and patients from the South Island and lower North Island are referred to the Specialist Centre at Christchurch. Some patients may receive treatment at both Specialist Centres.
The map below shows the 14 Shared Care Centres in New Zealand and what Specialist Centre they come under.
Your Healthcare Team / Te Tira Tiaki i to Hauora
A doctor who is responsible for providing clinical leadership and the operational requirements of the hospital. This includes ensuring clinical safety, excellence in practice and professional conduct and safeguarding high standards of care.
A doctor who specialises in cancer and haematological care for children, adolescents and young adults. The Haematologist or Oncologist directs and supervises the medical care of your child.
A fully qualified doctor who is responsible for the majority of the assessment and clinical care of children being managed by the hospital. This includes fellows, registrars and house officers.
The Nurse Unit Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the ward and is also available to discuss any concerns you may have on the quality of your child’s care.
A senior nurse who has completed advanced education and is responsible for providing clinical support, expertise, knowledge and leadership within the Starship Blood and Cancer Centre to ensure quality patient care.
A senior nurse who has completed advanced education and is responsible for the clinical and professional development of nursing staff to facilitate high standards of nursing care across the hospital.
A senior nurse who has completed advanced education and clinical training in assessing, diagnosing and managing the care of children, adolescents and young adults with cancer. The nurse practitioner works within the multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate care for your child.
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are senior nurses who have completed advanced education in caring for children, adolescents and young adults with cancer. The clinical nurse specialist works within the multidisciplinary team to co-ordinate care for your child.
Our team of registered nurses are responsible for the nursing assessment and provision of care for children receiving treatment at the hospital. Each shift your child will have a designated named nurse allocated to look after them.
A person who is an expert in the medications used to treat your child’s cancer as well as the medications used to manage symptoms and side effects. The pharmacist may also explain how medicines are given.
A person who is trained to assess your child’s nutritional needs and weight. A dietician will provide support about eating and drinking throughout your child’s treatment.
You probably have lots of questions and feelings to sort out in your head as you adjust to changes in your life. The people who care for you may be very emotional too. Having feelings of shock, anger and fear are all normal. The Psychologist’s job is to help you and your family to cope and adjust. They will talk to you about ways to manage your emotional reactions and behaviour in a healthy way. If you wish for support at any time please let your nurse know and she will contact a psychologist on your behalf.
Our Physio Therapists help children to achieve their optimal physical development. They have specialist knowledge in the movement and development to help with possible physical changes that may occur throughout your child’s treatment, whether it is disease or treatment related.
A person who has training in child and adolescent development, hospitalisation and how children respond to illness. Play specialists support children to cope with cancer and its treatment.
Our Occupational Therapists (OT) enable children to participate fully in the activities of life, covering self-care, productivity and play or care.
Throughout your child’s treatment they will be referred to the dentist for education to ensure adequate oral health, as some treatments can have a large effect on teeth, gums and oral mucosa.
Our LEAP (Late Effects Assessment Programme) coordinator has the role of organising follow up appointments for families post the end of treatment.
A person who is trained to help you and your child cope with illness in addition to financial assistance, support groups and resource referrals.
The Social Workers are available to provide emotional and practical support for you and your family, including providing information about financial supports. The social workers can link you up with social support systems in your local community including transport/hospital parking assistance, accommodation, counselling services, interpreters and community support groups such as Child Cancer Foundation.
A support person who works collaboratively with the team to carry out a wide range of practical tasks to support the health care team.
A person who is trained to monitor information regarding your child being enrolled and treated on a clinical trial.
A support person who works collaboratively with and provides organisational support for the health care team.
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.
Level 3
160 Grafton Road Grafton
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
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