Fiona McIver

Clinical Nurse Specialist, PICU Long Term Care Co-ordinator, Starship Child Health, Auckland, NZ



Fiona is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the newly developed role of Long Term Care Co-ordinator for patients in PICU at Starship Child Health.  After an extensive background in ICU and working with ECMO, CVVH, flight nursing and shift co-ordinating she found a passion for looking after children who had been in PICU for long periods of time.  Fiona enjoys the challenges and rewards that this population of patients and their families provide.  Fiona is currently completing her Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing and is looking forward to continuing her studies to complete a Masters.


Home Sweet Home….On a Ventilator

New Zealand is experiencing an increase in paediatric patients who require long term ventilation.  Currently known as, “medically fragile children”, these young patients are increasingly able to lead a life that is full and interesting.  

Facilitation of this requires an all-encompassing care package, a strong multidisciplinary team (both in hospital & the community) & needs to be supported by parents who are motivated and flexible.  The goal is to send children home to a safe, well supported environment where they can achieve their full potential surrounded by family who are able to take care of them in their own homes. 

In June 2017 a Clinical Nurse Specialist position was created in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Starship Child Health. The aim of this role is to co-ordinate the transition of care from hospital back into the home for these patients.  I was fortunate enough to be hired into this role.

This presentation will show-case a patients story, discuss some of the challenges in getting medically fragile children home and highlight why overcoming these obstacles is essential to ensure these patients meet their full potential.