The Paediatric Anaesthetic department is located on Level Two of Starship and provides an internationally recognised, modern anaesthesia service.

The department is responsive to the needs of Starship paediatric patients and the specialists serving them both inside and outside the operating room. The department therefore provides an anaesthetic and peri-operative medical service for children and young people throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Outside the operating room, the department provides anaesthetic services for radiological procedures of children undergoing CT, MRI scanning and radiotherapy.

The Pain Service:

The Anaesthetic department provides an acute pain service for pain relief of post-operative and trauma patients once they have returned to the ward. The chronic pain service is a developing area in paediatrics. There is greater awareness now that some children, like their adult counterparts, can suffer from chronic pain syndromes. This service is run in conjunction with the Consult Liaison Team.