Whangarei Children’s Ward Refurbishment

The building work for the new Paediatric Inpatient Ward and Neonatal Unit is now in the final stages, with the opening scheduled for April/May 2024.

Northland Community Foundation has partnered with Te Whatu Ora in Te Tai Tokerau to fundraise for 'optional extras' to make the new wards and their furnishings child friendly, comfortable, and welcoming.

So far, over $220,000 has been raised, thanks to donations from many individual donors and charitable organisations, as well as grants from Oxford Sports Trust and Lotteries, but there are still some items on the wish list that need funding.

Please help us to ensure that every baby and child who becomes a patient at Whangārei Hospital benefits fully from a calm and supportive environment.

Below is a sneak preview of what the new wards might look like, based on the architect’s model. Opening day is fast approaching and we’re so excited to see all the amazing ‘added extras’ your donations are funding to make this a child-friendly, comfortable, and welcoming space for the patients and their whānau.

With your support, we can make sure the ‘optional extras’ that sit outside government funding are included. We know that children who are welcomed and looked after in a caring, calm, supportive environment when they are in hospital are less likely to regress in their health, which makes for a quicker recovery back to good health and less stressful experience for the children and their caregivers.

The funds raised to date have allowed the team to purchase much of the additional medical equipment, toys and games, and sofa beds and recliners from the wish list. However, as the finishing touches are made to the building project, there are still some items that we need funding for.

Please click on the buttons below if you would like to contribute towards the costs of any of the following items, or get in touch to talk about how you would like to help.

Click here to Donate by Bank Transfer

Click here to Donate by Credit Card

Updated wish list:

Type Item   Item cost No.  Total cost
Caregiver support
Haelvoet Domus® sofa bed for SCBU $2,347 5 $11,735
Recliners – Avento® High-Low chair for SCBU $6,605 5 $33,025
Distraction and entertainment
65″ interactive touchscreen TV & PC $9,665 1 $9,665
TVs for patient and treatment rooms $370 21 $7,770
Staff support
Coffee machine  TBC 1  TBC

Alternatively, you can make a general donation, which will be spent as needed to support the children’s and neonatal ward now and into the future, replacing items as they wear out or adding more items as the need arises.
 

Caregiver sofa beds

Sofa beds and recliner chairs have been funded for the children’s ward, but more are needed for the neonatal care ward, for new mums feeding their babies and to allow them to have a much-needed rest. By providing comfortable seating and convertible beds, you can make it easier for parents to stay close to their pēpē in hospital. This has been demonstrated to have a positive impact on both the child and their parents/caregivers.

Distraction and entertainment

A 65″ interactive touchscreen TV & PC, loaded with child-friendly apps and games, will provide a welcome distraction for visiting tamariki.

TVs in Patient and treatment rooms provide entertainment for tamariki who need to stay in bed or those who need something else to focus on while undergoing treatment.

Staff support

A coffee machine supplying quality hot drinks will help staff to rest and recover during their welcome breaks from a busy shift.

(Please note, images are for illustration purposes only and may not match the exact items purchased.)

Supporters of the Appeal 

Special thanks go out to the following businesses and people who have supported the appeal so far:

  • Mackenzie, pictured above with her mum Rochelle (right) and Pediatrician Dr Renee Liang (left). Mackenzie is our Face for the Appeal and has Rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism and Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood she has had numerous visits to the Whangārei Children’s Ward both as an acutely unwell patient and for her three weekly infusions. For Mackenzie’s Story, please download the PDF document here: Whangarei Children’s Ward Refurbishment – Mackenzie’s Story
  • Kirsty Halliday for the beautiful photos of Mackenzie and her mum Rochelle at the Whangārei Hospital:

  • Oxford Sports Trust, who provided grants to pay for recliner beds and sofa beds.
  • The Lottery Grants Board, who provided a grant towards youth and playroom activities.
  • The Lindsay Foundation, who provided a donation towards youth and playroom activities.
  • Many individuals and groups, who gave donations, big and small.

Thank you all so much for your support.