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Age Appropriate Environments

Sophie standing with her whanau.
"Being on the adult ward was terrible. I made it very clear I was going to be staying with my son and they put him in a six bedroom with five females. There was nowhere for me to sleep. Eventually they found a single room for us and gave me a La-Z-Boy to sleep in. But then they moved us out again. I was in tears trying to pack up all of our stuff. They said I'd have to sleep on a couch in the corridor."
AYA patient

Support Directory

For young people receiving treatment in a paediatric environment, play therapists are likely able to be available to provide support & recreational resourcing.

Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand | https://www.leukaemia.org.nz

LBC patient support coordinators may provide one-on-one support, provision of recreational resources, ward-based social activities, and facilitation of peer support in the hospital environment. These coordinators aid in providing age-appropriate environments.

Canteen | www.canteen.org.nz

CanTeen patient support coordinators may provide one-on-one support, provision of recreational resources, ward-based social activities, and facilitation of peer support in the hospital environment.

Guidelines/Research

Impact of the Built Environment

Viner R, Keane M. 1998. Youth matters: Evidence-based best practice for the care of young people in hospital. London: Caring for Children in Health Services. (Currently the AYA Cancer Network are trying to source copies of this book for distribution)

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Heidi Watson

The Clinical Leader is responsible for providing clinical leadership and national oversight of the network .

Heidi is a passionate and experienced health professional with a strong clinical, education and leadership background. Her enthusiasm for, and commitment to youth health has focused on improving the outcomes of youth with cancer and chronic health conditions. Previously, Heidi held the position of AYA Cancer Nurse Specialist for Auckland District Health Board. Alongside her AYA clinical leadership role she holds a youth health academic position at the University of Auckland.

Cristal Salatas

Cristal 2025

Cristal Salatas is the Research & Data Lead for the AYA Cancer Network. She is also a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland, specialising in Perinatal Sciences. Her research utilises Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse the spatial, nutritional, environmental, and socioeconomic determinants of preterm birth risk across New Zealand. Cristal’s research bridges spatial epidemiology, GeoAI-driven risk modelling, and public health policy, ensuring that geospatial insights translate into actionable healthcare solutions.

Cristal has also conducted cancer research at her alma mater (University of Florida), where she developed a successful killing assay for glioblastoma multiforme. Now, she will build on that foundation by leading research and data efforts to support adolescents and young adults facing cancer across Aotearoa.