Accommodation
Most of our inpatient beds for children and young people within our children’s wards have beds for parents to rest or sleep on next to their child.
There is additional accommodation for parents with children being treated in our baby units.
Longer stay accommodation
For parents with children staying in for a longer period of time at The Alex we may refer you to the Ronald McDonald facility close to the hospital in Brighton.
The Ronald McDonald facility has single, twin and three-bedded family bedrooms, all with en-suite bathroom facilities. There’s also a kitchen where parents can store, prepare and cook their own food as well as a shared dining room and laundry room. You can also have access to these facilities via their Day Pass system.
Due to the high demand for the accommodation, priority is given to parents who have a greater distance to travel from home to The Alex, however Brighton parents may be able to use the facilities if accommodation is available.
View a tour of the Ronald McDonald facilities.
Teaching service
The Alex has a hospital teaching service which is part of Brighton and Hove City Council’s educational services. It’s based in the schoolroom on Level 8 of The Alex and is run by a part-time teacher and a part-time teaching assistant who provide lessons and learning materials from across the national curriculum. Children are taught either at their bedside or in the schoolroom.
The teaching service provides educational opportunities for children and young people who are hospitalised and can’t attend school but are well enough to access learning. It provides continuity of education and can help with recuperation.
For children at KS1 and KS2 the teaching staff focus on literacy and numeracy. At higher key stages the teaching staff may contact the young person’s school to talk about learning options so that learning at the right level can be done.
To speak to the teaching service call 01273 696955 ext 2560 or 2561 during school term time.
Hours of service
During school term time the hours are Monday and Wednesday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.00am to 12.00 midday.
Play Team
The hospital play team at The Alex are qualified hospital play specialists that help children and young people to be prepared for an operation or test and have a more positive experience in hospital.
If your child is particularly worried or anxious about a hospital visit or procedure then please contact The Alex children’s hospital play team on 01273 696955 ext 2509.
Paediatric Psychology Support Service (PPSS)
Our Paediatric Psychology Support Services (PPSS) are based on Level 10, Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital, Brighton. The services provide psychological support to children, young people up to age 18 years and their families where the child or young person is under the care of a UHS consultant for a physical health condition.
The services support emotional well-being, assessment of mental health difficulties, as well as providing advice and support in managing physical health conditions.
We can offer evidence-based support around a range of difficulties, including:
- Coping with the impact of diagnosis and treatment
- Managing medical procedures/treatment side-effects
- Understanding and coping with difficult thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- Changes around school and work
- Difficult memories from experiences with your physical health condition and treatment
- Living life alongside your physical health condition and treatment
We offer out-patient appointments separate and linked up to the child’s medical appointments. We also offer telephone and video psychology sessions. Our therapy rooms are on Level 10 and Level 5, Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
ADHD and Autism support information
ADHD and autism help, support and information for children and young people, and their families and carers.
ADHD and autism support and information
PALS
If you have a problem which you feel hasn’t been resolved by the nursing team or department manager caring for your child then you can talk to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).
The PALS service is available in all NHS Trusts and supports public and patient involvement in the health service. PALS officers are a key point for feedback from patients and their relatives and carers.
The PALS team can:
- listen confidentially to any problems, concerns or suggestions you have about care or treatment
- advise and support you and your child
- give you information about NHS and health related services
- help sort out problems quickly on your behalf.
They will try to resolve issues quickly, however if necessary, they will explain the formal NHS complaints procedure and put you in touch with the right people to take your complaint forwards.
Chaplaincy
Our chaplains can provide spiritual and emotional support for parents, carers or guardians and children and young people of all faiths, as well as those who do not have a particular religious belief but would like someone to talk to.
The chaplains have contact with many different faith communities and representatives from these faiths can be contacted if requested.
On chapels in our hospitals are also available to you and provide a place for a quiet retreat for reflection, prayer and relaxation at any time of the day or night . We also have Muslim prayer rooms.