New DVDs available for Children and their parents  going to Christchurch hospital

Children and their parents attending Christchurch Hospital now have an updated website to access information about what to expect during their treatment.

The Child Health section of the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) website has been updated over the last year and is now live, says CDHB Children’s Health Service Manager Anne Morgan.

“There is now a lot more information on it for families than there was in the past.”

This includes preparing for a hospital stay, what to expect when you arrive at hospital, hospital facilities, and much more.

On the website are four new downloadable DVDs –“Introduction to Christchurch Hospital”, “Having a blood test”, “Getting an iv line” and “Having an x-ray”.  They are also available to view at the children’s ward.

“We are hoping in the future to be able to give copies to the local libraries as well,” Anne Morgan says.

The DVDs have been created by Whitebait TV using funds donated to CDHB by Progressive Enterprises from the 2009 Fresh Future campaign.

The short films feature former What Now presenter Serena-Jane Chante Cooper-Rongonui and current presenter Charlie Panapa from the popular children’s television programme, plus two cartoon characters - Robbie and Roberta.

The Fresh Future promotion is run by Progressive Enterprises and is a national campaign raising money for children’s wards around the country.

‘We have looked at other children’s website from around the world and tried to make this as user friendly but informative as possible. We are very happy with the result. Coming to hospital can be a worrying time for children and their parents – hopefully this will help them feel more informed and less anxious,” says Anne.

The site is not yet finished and will continue to be worked on providing more information for children and their families on a variety of topics.

To view go to http://www.cdhb.govt.nz/child-health/default.htm.