About us
We look after children undergoing cancer treatment. It is a safe and secure area and has its own entrance and exit so that children and young people who are immuno-suppressed and at risk of infection do not come into contact with patients on the main Medical ward.
Access to the ward is strictly controlled by a video entry system for visitors and by electronic card access for staff who have access rights for the ward. The entrances to the ward are monitored 24 hours a day by video cameras linked to our security control room. This ensures that children remain in a safe environment whilst with us.
Our care is centred around the child or young person and their family or carers both within the hospital and at home. We are supported by play specialists who will spend time with your child during their stay. To support their work, the ward has a dedicated play room.
We provide care for children with cancer who live locally, in partnership with regional centres such as Southampton, the Royal Marsden Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
The entire nursing, surgical and medical team works collaboratively to ensure that the children of Sussex and Kent are afforded the highest quality of care so that they can recover and return home to their families as soon as possible. Our community nursing team works closely with the ward team to provide care and nursing support at home once the child has been discharged from hospital. Where possible, children are seen in the community to allow them to continue with their normal life as much as possible.
Our hospital was one of the first units in the south east to establish a shared care oncology service for child cancer patients. The shared care team includes three chemotherapy trained nurses, a specialist oncology nurse, a CLIC Sargent funded social worker and community clinical nurse, and a dedicated pharmacist. An arts psychotherapist, play specialist, physiotherapist and dietician provide further support.
During your stay
Our ward has a large and spacious four-bed room with an ensuite bathroom. The ward is operational between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. It is supported by highly experienced children’s nursing, surgical, medical and allied healthcare professionals, all of whom specialise in the care of children and young people with cancer.
Children and young people who require a hospital admission for ongoing care are admitted to the Medical ward on the same floor. Children who are at risk of infection are cared for in the single room facilities on the Medical ward or, if necessary, in one of the isolation rooms.
All beds have a television allowing access to a range of channels, from children’s programmes, to documentaries, films, sport, and news, as well as music and DVDs. We have pull-down day beds in all of the children’s rooms, to allow one parent to stay with their child during the day. Parents and carers also have their own lounge area and kitchen facilities. Parents can use the quiet rooms on the ward to meet privately with nurses and doctors to talk about their child, or for quiet reflection.
Mealtimes on the ward are protected times for children and young people. We carefully choose our menus to be nutritious and have food that children will recognise and eat. Vegetarian options are provided and, as the food is prepared on the ward, the hostess staff will try to provide something that a child would prefer if it is not on the menu.