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Starship Paediatric Child & Family Unit
Public Service, Psychiatry, Paediatrics, Mental Health
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Description
The Child and Family Unit (CFU) is a supra-regional acute psychiatric child and adolescent mental health inpatient unit hosted by Auckland District Health Board. It is located on level one of Starship Children's Hospital.
CFU admits young people aged from 13 - 18 with significant mental health concerns or suspected mental illness from the upper region of the North Island (north of and including Taranaki through to Cape Reinga). It is also the inpatient facility for children under 13 years for the North Island.
Within the same facility the Child and Family Unit also houses a specialist three-bedded Mother and Baby Unit which provides inpatient care to people living in Waitemata, Auckland, Counties Manukau and Northland.
Staff
CFU has a multidisciplinary team approach to supporting all young people. There are a range of registered and unregistered health practitioners such as nurses, support workers, cultural advisors, social workers, occupational therapists, specialist child and adolescent psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatry registrars and medical staff who will support the care provided. Northern Health Schools also provide a school within the service and teachers are available Monday to Friday to support young people to remain engaged in education.
Referral Expectations
Referrals to the Child and Adolescent inpatient unit are accepted from the specialist CAMHS teams in the region, or private child and adolescent psychiatrists.
In crisis, some young people are seen in Emergency Departments. All after hour admissions are processed through the on call child and adolescent psychiatrist covering CFU.
Referrals for the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) are from the two metro Auckland Maternal Mental Health teams. These teams work Monday to Friday business hours only. There are no after hours or crisis admissions accepted into the MBU.
Fees and Charges Categorisation
Free
Hours
| Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|
The service has reception staff available on the hours above.
However we accept referral calls 24/7 and visiting hours are flexible. Just talk to the nurse of the day to discuss.
Languages Spoken
English
Programmes
The Child and Family Unit operates utilising a bio-psycho-social model and a strengths approach to support young people and their whānau during an acute period of illness. There are two separate units where young people experiencing mental distress may be admitted into: There is a 7-bed High Dependency Unit. Each young person has a single room and there is a higher level of nursing care within this ward due to the acute nature of presentations of people admitted. There is a general Open Adolescent Unit which has 11 beds. Some of the bedrooms are shared rooms, for up to 2 people. School is attached to this unit and it is expected that young people engage in the recovery based programme that operates to support their wellbeing. The unit provides 24/7 observation and assessment of all young people admitted. Treatment decisions are made in collaboration with young people and whānau/families. There will be close liaison with community specialist teams in order to ensure transitions into and out of the service are managed appropriately.
The Child and Family Unit operates utilising a bio-psycho-social model and a strengths approach to support young people and their whānau during an acute period of illness. There are two separate units where young people experiencing mental distress may be admitted into: There is a 7-bed High Dependency Unit. Each young person has a single room and there is a higher level of nursing care within this ward due to the acute nature of presentations of people admitted. There is a general Open Adolescent Unit which has 11 beds. Some of the bedrooms are shared rooms, for up to 2 people. School is attached to this unit and it is expected that young people engage in the recovery based programme that operates to support their wellbeing. The unit provides 24/7 observation and assessment of all young people admitted. Treatment decisions are made in collaboration with young people and whānau/families. There will be close liaison with community specialist teams in order to ensure transitions into and out of the service are managed appropriately.
- Programme Areas
Crisis / acute, Mental health
- Programme Type
Acute services
- Regions
MidCentral, Tairāwhiti, Hawke's Bay, East Auckland, South Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland, Hutt, Waikato, Taranaki, Northland, Wellington, Lakes, North Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Whanganui, Wairarapa
- Age Groups
Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi
- Referral Types
DHB clinical services
Referral Process
Referrals to the Child and Adolescent inpatient unit are accepted from the specialist CAMHS teams in the region, or private child and adolescent psychiatrists.
In crisis, some young people are seen in Emergency Departments. All after hour admissions are processed through the on call child and adolescent psychiatrist covering CFU.
Description
The Child and Family Unit operates utilising a bio-psycho-social model and a strengths approach to support young people and their whānau during an acute period of illness.
There are two separate units where young people experiencing mental distress may be admitted into:
- There is a 7-bed High Dependency Unit. Each young person has a single room and there is a higher level of nursing care within this ward due to the acute nature of presentations of people admitted.
- There is a general Open Adolescent Unit which has 11 beds. Some of the bedrooms are shared rooms, for up to 2 people. School is attached to this unit and it is expected that young people engage in the recovery based programme that operates to support their wellbeing.
The unit provides 24/7 observation and assessment of all young people admitted. Treatment decisions are made in collaboration with young people and whānau/families. There will be close liaison with community specialist teams in order to ensure transitions into and out of the service are managed appropriately.
The Child and Family Unit also manages the Mother and Baby Unit. Staff are integrated into the overall model of care and have specialised skills in supporting mothers and babies. The outpatient Maternal Mental Health teams act as gatekeepers to the small number of beds. Average length of stay is around 4 weeks. Common presentations are postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis. Each mum has her own bedroom. Partners or supportive other are encouraged to stay overnight if they choose. The service has a paediatrician available to ensure thorough assessment of babies' physical health needs are addressed in a timely manner. Midwife support is available for women up until babies are 6 weeks old. There is weekly liaison with all of the Maternal Mental Health teams to ensure continuity of care is maintained.
The Child and Family Unit also manages the Mother and Baby Unit. Staff are integrated into the overall model of care and have specialised skills in supporting mothers and babies. The outpatient Maternal Mental Health teams act as gatekeepers to the small number of beds. Average length of stay is around 4 weeks. Common presentations are postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis. Each mum has her own bedroom. Partners or supportive other are encouraged to stay overnight if they choose. The service has a paediatrician available to ensure thorough assessment of babies' physical health needs are addressed in a timely manner. Midwife support is available for women up until babies are 6 weeks old. There is weekly liaison with all of the Maternal Mental Health teams to ensure continuity of care is maintained.
- Programme Areas
Crisis / acute, Mental health, Maternal & infant - mental health & addictions
- Programme Type
Acute services, Maternal mental health – clinical teams
- Regions
East Auckland, South Auckland, North Auckland, West Auckland, Central Auckland, Northland
- Age Groups
Child / Tamariki, Youth / Rangatahi
- Referral Types
DHB clinical services
Referral Process
Referrals for the Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) are from the two metro Auckland Maternal Mental Health teams. These teams work Monday to Friday business hours only. There are no after hours or crisis admissions accepted into the MBU.
Description
The Child and Family Unit also manages the Mother and Baby Unit. Staff are integrated into the overall model of care and have specialised skills in supporting mothers and babies. The outpatient Maternal Mental Health teams act as gatekeepers to the small number of beds. Average length of stay is around 4 weeks. Common presentations are postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis.
Each mum has her own bedroom. Partners or supportive other are encouraged to stay overnight if they choose. The service has a paediatrician available to ensure thorough assessment of babies' physical health needs are addressed in a timely manner. Midwife support is available for women up until babies are 6 weeks old.
There is weekly liaison with all of the Maternal Mental Health teams to ensure continuity of care is maintained.
Additional Details
Face to face / Kanohi ki te Kanohi, Child / Tamariki friendly
Visiting Hours
Flexible visiting hours - just talk to one of the nursing team.
Accommodation
For families of young people living outside of the Auckland region, there is Ronald McDonald House accommodation onsite.
Contact Details
Starship Child Health, Central Auckland
Central Auckland
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023
Street Address
2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023
Postal Address
Starship Childrens Hospital
2 Park Road
Grafton
Private Bag 92024
Auckland 1142
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This page was last updated at 11:54AM on April 14, 2021. This information is reviewed and edited by Starship Paediatric Child & Family Unit.