A $5 million temporary child cancer treatment centre is due to open in Christchurch by the end of this year.
Work is underway on the temporary Child Haematology Oncology Centre, which will replace the current facility and increase the number of patient beds from eight to 11.
A permanent centre will be built at a later date, as part of the Christchurch Hospital redevelopment of acute services.
Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates says the closure of the inpatient service in Wellington has made it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of the children and their families in Christchurch.
Mr Meates says the facility will include a family room, treatment rooms, and isolation and assessment rooms.
