Starship opened in 1991.   It is one of New Zealand’s key specialist children’s health facilities, treating around 100,000 children every year.  Many arrive at the emergency department and after assessment, may not need admission.  But about 20% of patients do have lengthy periods of time in the hospital.  These children have special facilities to assist them during their stay such as the Starship school and radio Lollipop.

As a specialist facility, Starship is also a national resource which delivers health services for patients around New Zealand.  These patients are children with very serious and complex health conditions.  Starship is also the country’s leading paediatric research and teaching facility.

The Auckland District Health Board’s Building Programme has had a significant impact upon Starship.  The Starship building is now physically linked to the new Main Building of Auckland City Hospital, and forms part of the whole site complex collectively known as Auckland City Hospital.  The two new Emergency Departments, Adults’ and Children’s, were built side by side in the part of the complex that links Starship and the Main Building. They accepted their first patients in 2003.

Key children’s heart services have transferred from the decomissioned Green Lane Hospital.  Paediatric Intensive Care and Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services are now part of Starship Children’s Health.

Starship has been most fortunate to have the high profile Starship Foundation successfully fund-raising for specific projects, for over a decade.  The Foundation has had a number of New Zealand celebrities associated with it, including rugby star, Jonah Lomu, and actress, Lucy Lawless.

Go to the Starship Children's health specialist website for more information.