Heart Kids NZ | Southern Health | He hauora, he kuru pounamu

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Description

Heart Kids NZ is a national organisation that provides support services to the 12 babies born with a heart defect every week in New Zealand, and those who acquire a heart condition from childhood illnesses.

In fact, our organisation has been supporting heart kids and their families since 1984. Our services are provided free-of-charge to heart kids, teens and adults through our network of 12 affiliated branches across the country and we provide life-long support.

Our support services come in the form of information, education, training, family support, specialised equipment, camps, family matching, social affiliation and financial assistance. Our local branches organise family days, coffee mornings and information evenings to connect families, let them share ideas and experiences, off-load problems or just have some fun together. With appropriate and timely support, heart kids, teens and adults can successfully cope with the challenges of their heart condition and lead a fulfilling life.

As a charity, we have to fundraise for all the services we provide. We are reliant on the generous donations from individuals, businesses, philanthropic organisations and the local community to make our work possible.

To find out more about us or how to get involved, visit https://heartkids.org.nz or call us on our free phone 0800 543 943.

Family / whānau

Our team of dedicated family support workers provide much-needed support to heart families when they are in hospital and when they return home. They visit families, assess their needs, provide practical and emotional assistance, and connect them to appropriate community services and professional help.

Home support

Providing heart children and their families with practical, emotional and psychosocial services - be it an information brochure, specialist equipment, leadership development for heart youth and adults, a camping experience, an opportunity to connect with other families, a hot meal for hospital-bound families, or just a shoulder to cry on. Our support is vital for those affected, helping them cope with the lifelong challenges of living with a childhood heart disease.

Injury, illness or disability

Heart Kids' Anti-Coagulant Machine Project - changing lives
These blood testing machines (designed for home use) can be provided free of charge to Heart Kids members on anti-coagulant medication.

With Anti-Coagulant machines, blood testing now means no pain, no tears, nor car trips. Parents and children can conduct the required blood test themselves, at home, with just one drop of blood taken from a finger prick. It's quite simply changing lives.

For enquiries about the Anti-Coagulant Machine Project, please contact:

Filipa Chipper Family Support and Services Manager
Ph: 09 393 8462

MedicAlert Bracelets
Members of Heart Kids can register to receive a Stainless Steel MedicAlert bracelet funded by Heart Kids. The bracelet contains the toll-free number of a specialised emergency response centre. Emergency responders can call the centre to quickly access the wearer’s medical information, enabling appropriate emergency treatment.

If you’re a member of Heart Kids who would like to receive a free MedicAlert bracelet, please complete and return the MedicAlert Enrolment Form to us to verify your membership. We will send your enrolment form to MedicAlert for processing. Please note that you also need to have your GP complete and sign the Enrolment Form.

If you are interested to receive a free MedicAlert bracelet, please contact:

Kate Wilkinson Accounts Manager
Ph: 09 393 8472
Free phone: 0800 543 943

Child and Youth Camps

Camp Brave Hearts

Camp Brave Hearts is a dynamic national camp where heart kids aged between 8 and 12 years can participate in a range of outdoor activities in a fun, safe environment under the careful supervision of a medical team. Camp Brave Hearts is a great opportunity for children to try new experiences and to get to know others with similar health challenges.

Camp Teen Beat

Camp Teen Beat caters for heart teens aged between 13 to 17 years. Like the camp for younger participants, this five-day outdoor pursuit camp focuses on learning life skills and building friendships, confidence, and self-esteem in teenagers with a childhood heart condition. It is an opportunity for them to mix with their peers, get to know others with similar experiences and challenges, as well as, where applicable, talk to professionals and other young people about their forthcoming transition into the adult cardiology wards of Auckland Hospital.

Charges

Services are free of charge.

Age groups

Child / Tamariki
Youth / Rangatahi

This information has been provided by healthpoint.co.nz, helping people better understand and use New Zealand health services. Healthpoint and Southern DHB do not endorse or adopt the information or materials provided by any of the service providers, and accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, offers or details in any such information or materials.