Starship Pacific Overseas Referrals
Starship Hospital has a long-standing commitment to supporting overseas referrals for paediatric patients from Pacific Island nations who require tertiary-level specialist care which is not available in their home country. We welcome referrals that meet the criteria outlined below.
Referral criteria
| Criteria | Referral Considered | Not Accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Referring country | Referrals must originate from a Pacific Island country. | Non-Pacific Island referrals are usually not accepted unless the patient is already residing in New Zealand. |
| Funding source | Funding for the required healthcare must be provided by the local government, a not‑for‑profit organisation, or a healthcare insurance scheme. Citizens of realm countries (Cook Islands, Tokelau and Niue) are automatically eligible for healthcare in New Zealand, and do not need to obtain funding approval for the healthcare costs. However, their local government needs to approve/arrange transport support. | Self‑funded overseas referrals cannot be accepted. |
| Speciality Care Required | Cardiac, general surgery, ENT/ORL, orthopaedics, plastics, neurosurgery, cancer & blood, tertiary inpatient medical specialty care, which is not available locally. | Alternative care pathways may be suggested for referrals that require only outpatient care. |
| Referrer | Referrals must be submitted by a hospital-based doctor or specialist. | Self-referrals or referrals from overseas general practitioners are not accepted. |
Referral process
Hospital doctors in the Pacific who wish to refer a patient for tertiary-level specialist care not available locally should send a referral letter to:
Grace Bradford (ADHB), Starship Overseas Referrals Nurse Specialist — GBradford@adhb.govt.nz
Cardiac referrals: Nita McKenzie (ADHB), Operations Manager — NitaM@adhb.govt.nz
Non-cardiac referrals: Bridget Cooper (ADHB), Associate General Manager — BCooper@adhb.govt.nz
These email inboxes are monitored Monday to Friday during New Zealand business hours, excluding public holidays. For urgent inpatient transfers during weekends or public holidays, please contact our call centre on +64 9 367 0000 and request the on‑call consultant for the relevant specialty.
The referral letter must include a current clinical assessment and examination and details of all investigations completed, including transfer of any radiology to the Starship PACS system where possible.
Once a referral is received, it will be triaged by the relevant specialty team. If appropriate, an estimated treatment plan and cost will be provided. This estimate is based on the clinical information supplied and may change. A formal guarantee of payment from the funding agency is required before Starship can issue an acceptance letter and schedule appointments.
Pre-transfer health checks
Please ensure the patient has undergone a general health assessment and completed any associated treatment prior to arrival in New Zealand. For planned surgical patients, a dental review must be completed locally within six months prior to travel, with documented confirmation that no active dental infection is present. If the patient is found to have untreated dental cavities, parasitic infections, or skin conditions such as scabies on arrival, treatment may be delayed, and additional costs incurred.
Medical Treatment Visa
Families or funders must apply for a Medical Treatment Visitor Visa before the patient travels to New Zealand. Information is available on the Immigration New Zealand website: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/medical-treatment-visitor-visa/
Starship Hospital does not facilitate passport or visa applications and does not fund passport costs, visa costs or visa extensions. Visa arrangements must be completed by the family or funder. We recommend applying only after Starship has confirmed acceptance and provided transfer or appointment dates.
Logistics
We are committed to delivering timely care. However, unexpected clinical or operational factors may impact scheduling. Referring parties must ensure families are aware prior to travel that visa extensions and/or revised flight arrangements may be required in the event of delays.
Starship Hospital does not fund or arrange flights, accommodation, or transport to and from appointments. Please ensure these arrangements are in place before the patient travels to New Zealand. The funding authority is expected to support families with any required travel changes, and to ensure timely communication with families should treatment plans or scheduling change.
One support person may stay with the child while they are an inpatient on the ward. If the child is admitted to intensive care, or when the child is an outpatient, accommodation for support persons must be arranged independently. If two support people accompany the patient, accommodation must be organised for the entire stay.
Starship Hospital does not provide community equipment such as car seats, cots, strollers, infant formula, or feeding bottles. Please ensure these needs are planned for prior to transfer.
Depending on the condition being treated, patients may need to remain in New Zealand for four or more weeks after hospital discharge before being cleared to fly home.