Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital

This is a shared care hospital for Southampton General Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Royal Marsden Hospital and the University College Hospital.

The children’s hospital moved from Dyke Road to the Royal Sussex County Hospital site in June 2007.  Paediatric oncology is located on the 9th floor.

Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE

Telephone: 01273 696955
Website: www.bsuh.nhs.uk
Map: to view the hospital on a map click here (this takes you to the Multimap site). top of page

Within the children’s hospital there is a WRVS coffee shop and United News shop.  There is an outside playground at the main entrance and playrooms on the ward areas.  There is a play specialist team with additional facilities on Level 10. 

There are a number of restaurants, cafes and shops in Kemp Town which is only a few minutes walk away, and good bus links with the town centre which is a 20 minute walk.  There is a cashpoint at the RSCH by the main entrance to the Barry Building and another cashpoint and Post Office on St George’s Road.

There is a florist at the front of the RSCH, a canteen which is located right next to the children’s hospital and a restaurant in the Audrey Emerton Building which is next to the Sussex Eye Hospital, opposite the Barry Building on Eastern Road.

The sea front is a five minute walk from the hospital and the marina a 15 minute walk.  At the marina you will find an Asda superstore, cinema, bowlplex, sports complex and a number of restaurants and shops.

Train: The nearest station is Brighton, which is a 30 minute walk away.  The Number 7 bus runs from the station to the RSCH. Call Network Rail on 08457 114 141 for more information.

Bus: There are regular buses into the town centre. There is an hourly 7am to 7pm 40/40X service between the RSCH and PRH in Haywards Heath.  It is free to staff and patients who can pick it up from any stop along its route. Call Brighton & Hove Bus Company on 01273 886200 for more information.

Parking on Site: There is limited Pay-and-Display on site parking for the entire RSCH.  There is on street Pay-and-Display and residents-only parking.  The restrictions are displayed on every street.

General:  Day care & outpatient unit – 4 bed ward on Level 9, which is open from 8am-6pm.  Inpatient ward - Level 9.

Age Range: 0-19

Additional Information: Outpatient clinics are held on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Staff are able to give day case chemotherapy on the unit and carry out lumbar punctures on Wednesday afternoons, so reducing travel and family disruption.

There is a strong community service and as much as possible is done at home or at school by the CLIC Sargent community nurse; for example weekly bloods and sometimes chemotherapy.

An art psychotherapist will work with patients, siblings and families offering counselling amongst other support. There is also a specialist paediatric oncology pharmacist.

Play: In the day care unit there is a play area, which is equipped with toys, games, video games and CD players.  If the child is well enough they will be able to move around and play in the garden, though children and young people are the responsibility of their parents/carers/guardians whilst using these facilities.  There are dedicated play staff on the ward.

There is a play centre on Level 10 managed by the play specialist team.  There is a dedicated room for teenagers to use.

Learning: There is one teacher on the ward available for the children.  Tuition is available for patients and can be carried out in the cubicles.  School equipment is available, including a computer.  The teachers are able to liase with the child’s school to arrange work and activities.

Other Facilities: On each floor there are parent facilities with a lounge and kitchen/beverage point.

Meal Times: Meal times are ‘protected’ and are at set times. Lunch is 12pm -12.30pm, dinner 5pm-6pm.  However, if the child misses a meal for any reason there are snack boxes available and sometimes an ‘on-call’ service.

Rounds: These aren’t at a set time, although they usually take place in the morning.

Visiting Times: Visiting is open, although you are asked to have consideration for others.

Each bay has a fold down bed next to it, enabling parents are able to sleep next to their child if they so wish.

There is parent accommodation on Level 10 and a Ronald McDonald House nearby in Abbey Road.

1 Social Worker
1 Nurse top of page