Ward 23b
Kia ora and welcome to Ward 23B Starship Children's Hospital. We hope this information helps you prepare your child for admission to the ward.
Getting to know you
Visiting the ward or play room before admission helps us get to know each other. You are welcome to visit - just phone Ward 23B reception on (09) 307 4949 ext 23230.
We realise that for many a visit before admission will not be possible. Please phone Shona Harvey, Heart Children NZ National Co ordinator for Family Support (09) 377 9950, 0800 543 943 ext 803 or mobile 027 278 7676 or Vaniva Lewis, Regional Family Support Coordinator, ext 811 to let them know your admission date. Shona or Vaniva will be able to assist with orientation to the ward, issue you with one of our information packs etc.
Getting ready
If your child has a special toy or blanket please bring it with you, also
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Summer pyjamas, (the ward is very warm) dressing gown and slippers and light weight summer day clothes.
Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, brush and comb, soap. We supply towels, cloth nappies and pyjamas.
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Medical equipment or disability aids (if applicable).
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All prescribed medication.
Please mark all these things with your child's name. We will be careful with your family's belongings but cannot take responsibility for the safety of personal property or valuables.
For yourselves bring:
Laundry powder, your own toiletries, coffee, phone card for toll calls, personal activities to fill in waiting hours and some light weight summer day clothes.
Other important issues
As highly salted foods are restricted for most of the children please do not bring salted foods - chips or salted peanuts etc. on the ward.
The ward incorporates a play and recreation programme and a hospital class to cater for the children. You may like to bring school work from your child's teacher to continue while in hospital.
If you can't come as arranged
If your child is unwell or you can't make it please ring Ward 23B at Starship (09) 307 4949 ext 23618/23619 or 23230 and let them know as soon as possible. Alternatively ask the operator for the Paediatric Cardiologist Consultant on-call.
Occasionally, due to emergency admissions the hospital has to cancel a booked surgery. We do try to avoid this happening as we realise how upsetting it can be. If this occurs another date will be arranged as soon as possible.
Getting here
In some instances, travel assistance is provided through your home hospital. Contact your home hospital social worker to ask what is available and how you can access this assistance. Alternatively, you may wish to contact the social worker on Ward 23B on (09) 307 4949 ext 23627 for advice.
A Hospital site-map is found at the bottom of this page.
Car parking areas are clearly sign-posted in the Hospital grounds. Do not park in "no parking" zones as your car could get towed away.
After 3 days as an inpatient a payment exemption letter from the social worker is available for one family member that can be used in the pay car park.
Family Accommodation
Ronald McDonald House is situated within the Hospital grounds and provides residential family accomodation. Bookings for Ronald McDonald House can be made through your home hospital social worker or by phoning Ronald McDonald House for more booking information on 09 303 1365.
Another accommodation option is He Kamaka Oranga Marae - also located in the hospital grounds `phone 09 307 4949.
On Arrival
Go to the admission desk just inside the main entrance. When you have completed the admission forms, you will be directed to the ward. Try to stay with your child for as long as possible on the first day. You and your family are the most important people to your child.
Interpreters
If English is not your first language, bring someone who speaks your preferred language to help explain things to you. The Hospital can arrange for Interpreters on request.
Heart Children NZ Ward Liaison
Vaniva Lewis and Jocelyn Paterson can be contacted via our national office on phone (09) 377 9950 x 81, 0800 543 943, mobile number 027 278 7676 or you can email vaniva.lewis@heartchildren.org.nz
Telephone Calls: Parents are always welcome to phone the ward at any time on (09) 307 4949 ext 2320.
If family members wish to contact you while at Starship, please ask them to call (09) 307 4949 ext 23235.
Being together is important
Parents are always welcome to spend as much time as possible with their children and help with their care. Please let the nursing staff know when you arrive and leave the ward, and please do not take your child off the ward without checking with nursing staff first.
1pm to 2pm is rest time for children and an opportunity for quiet time for caregivers.
Brothers, sisters, and other family members and friends are welcome to visit. They may use the play room but are expected to be supervised.
Preferred visiting times are 9.00am - 1.00pm and 3.00pm - 7.00pm.
Please remember, children who are well enough attend school between 9.30am and 3.00pm.
Visitors who have been exposed to any contagious diseases are not to visit on the ward. This includes children or adults getting over measles, mumps, rashes and scabies, tummy upsets and diarrhoea, coughs and colds and runny noses.
Other Useful Contact Numbers
Paediatric Cardiac Liaison Nurse - Heather Spinetto
(09) 307 4949 ext 23629
Adult Congenital Heart Liaison Nurse - Annette Neugebauer
(09) 307 4949 ext 23630
Ward 23 B Play Specialists
(09) 307 4949 ext 23612
Starship School - Ward 23B Teacher: Marion Nevin
(09) 309 7869
Starship Maps
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Aerial Map of Starship Childrens Hospital & Auckland City Hospital also showing Ronald McDonald House, and Heart Children New Zealand House at 60 Grafton Road.
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Hospital Site Map of Starship Childrens Hospital & Auckland City Hospital also showing Ronald McDonald House, and access to the Children's Heart Ward 23b.