We know that tamariki 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. This is something we would all want for our tamariki should they be in this situation.

The purpose of campaign is to ensure that every child who becomes a patient at Whangarei Hospital benefits fully from a calm and supportive environment.

Donations will provide items such as comfortable chairs and beds for patients and caregivers, distraction devices (interactive wall designs, feature ceiling and wall panels, graphite wall wraps, treatment room monitors, TVs for patient rooms, special learning equipment, laptops, gaming consoles), upgraded furniture, new whiteware, Te Reo Maaori resources (wall decals, books, and games) and additional paediatric medical equipment, specifically designed to support the clinical needs of our tamariki in their care.

This in turn will have the added benefit of helping to reduce the pressure on an already stretched health system and the purchase of beds for caregivers will be able to provide a comfortable sleeping environment for whaanau a ngaa tamariki enabling them to stay together during the childs stay in hospital.

The Paediatric Society of New Zealand has undertaken extensive research into the importance of the environment in which tamariki and adolescents are cared for whilst in hospital. It is critical that the environment is appropriate for both age and stage of development, from infant through to adolescence and that the physical environment is designed, furnished and decorated appropriately to meet these needs and those of their whaanau. This is why we need your support to both meet and exceed these needs for all our tamariki.

Here are some ways your donation could make a difference...

$20 could buy a sensory/fidget toy to distract a child from an uncomfortable procedure

$50 could buy a Lego set or board game to reduce boredom and anxiety

$160 could buy a chair for visiting whanau to take a break

$500 could buy a baby bottle steriliser

$1,000 could buy a lounge chair to allow a sick child to sit comfortably while resting or playing

$2,000 could buy an apnoea monitor to monitor breathing in premature infants and at-risk babies

$2,758 could buy a convertible armchair/bed to allow a child's caregiver to rest alongside them

$4,000 could buy a humidifier to provide heated and moist oxygen for babies who require respiratory support

The Northland DHB is focusing significant resources on building a new Whangarei Hospital, which will bring many benefits to all the people of Northland in their care. They are also developing the second stage of Te Kotuku (Maternity Unit), building on another floor and shifting Paediatrics and Special Care Baby Unit to the second floor and the laboratory to the third floor. This does mean that funding for the extra layer of care and support that our tamariki need must be found elsewhere. We need your support to upgrade the Childrens Ward to make it the calm, welcoming environment that provides that higher quality of care that our tamariki need.

For more information and the full Case for Support and full Equipment List go to the Northland Community Foundation website here:https://northlandcommunityfoundation.org.nz/giving/funds/health/whangarei-childrens-ward-refurbishment/