The Children's Unit provides secondary and tertiary inpatient paediatric services.  These services include specialist assessment, investigation, diagnosis, treatment and care for children up to 15 years of age.  Children present with either acute or chronic health care problems and may require ongoing co-ordinated care between acute and continuing care facilities.

Comprehensive Medical, Surgical, Orthopaedic, ENT and Neurosurgery services are provided.

Most medical patients are admitted acutely into the inpatient service following assessment by PAU staff.  Some children are admitted via the Emergency Department including transfers from rural hospitals or from the outpatient service.  Most children are referred by a General Practitioner.  Referrals are also accepted from Midwives, Public Health Nurses and Plunket Nurses. 

In addition to traditional inpatient services, the Children's Ward is also the base for the Child Sleep Study Service and Hospital Play Therapist Programme.