Child haematology and oncology centre — Canterbury
The child haematology and oncology centre (CHOC) is one of 2 specialist centres for childhood cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand. We care for infants, children and adolescents with cancer, and their whānau (families).
On this page
Contact us
To contact the child haematology and oncology centre, call:
- during business hours: 03 364 0640
- 24-hour hotline: 03 364 1821
Our visiting hours are 8am to 8pm. Parents and caregivers can visit any time.
Where to find us
The child haematology and oncology centre is at:
Ward A6
Level 6
Waipapa Building
Christchurch Hospital
What to expect
We provide 11 inpatient beds, each with an ensuite. We also have a day stay area for:
- continuation of treatment
- supportive treatment like antibiotics or blood and blood products
- check ups.
Meals will be provided for your child. Tea, coffee and toast is provided for the parent or caregiver who is living in. You can ask your nurse about meal options for caregivers. We support breastfeeding mothers with equipment for expressing and for breast milk storage.
Visiting restrictions
Do not visit if you are unwell with an infectious disease like cold or flu, or have been in contact with anyone in the last 2 weeks who has:
- measles
- mumps
- rubella
- whooping cough
- chicken pox.
You should also not visit if you or anyone in your family has had symptoms of a tummy bug (gastroenteritis) within the last 2 days.
We advise you to regularly wash your hands with either soap and water or hand sanitiser provided around the ward. This is for the safety of your own child as well as others on the ward.
Parent facilities
We provide:
- a phone (cell phone use is restricted near medical equipment)
- toilets and showers in the child's room
- towels
- washing machine and dryer
- a family room.
Family room
The family room is open 24 hours a day. It has:
- cooking facilities (oven, stove top and microwave)
- a sitting area to relax with other families on the ward
- snack food, food for cooking and frozen meals
- dedicated food storage space for each family (numbered draws and a container with your room number).
The food is for all families on the ward. It is donated by the Child Cancer Foundation and Ronald McDonald House.
You can store your own food in a labelled container.
Activity room
The activity room is a licensed education centre. It provides education resources for children staying on the ward from birth to 16 years old.
The activity room is staffed by registered teachers and hospital play specialists. They are available on request and provide:
- distractions from procedures and medical interventions
- support for anxiety and fears
- help with settling into the hospital environment.
- developmentally appropriate distractions for procedures and medical interventions
- support for anxiety, fears and settling into the hospital environment.