Following the delivery of the Rockinghorse funded toys to the audiology team earlier this summer, the Rockinghorse team were invited to the official opening of the new department.
After many years of planning, the department recently moved into its new clinical space on Level 4 of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. The new space increases the size of the department from one to four assessment rooms, meaning the team can support even more children with all aspects of their hearing.
This new space is wonderful, with purpose-built sound-proof rooms, and has been equipped with all the technical equipment the team need to carry out their work. And thanks to the team’s request to us for some additional funds for new toys, the department now has everything they need.
The service supports children with any extent of deafness from temporary glue ear through to profound deafness and aims to provide care to everyone who comes through the doors from new-born to aged 18.
Jayden enjoying the toys with his dad Paul.
The opening event took place earlier this week, with the audiology team in attendance along with some families and service users, and the Chief Executive of the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Dr George Findlay.
The ribbon was cut by two-year old Jayden, with help from his mum Sonya and dad Paul, after which everyone enjoyed some specially made cake!
Sonya said, “Jayden is deaf and has been coming to the hospital since he was born. This new department is wonderful and so much nicer than the old one; coming in here feels much more happy and comfortable.
“The staff are fantastic, and the toys really make a difference to Jayden’s experience. We know he won’t have any problems coming here for his appointments.”
Dr Rob Lowe, Consultant Paediatric Audiologist, spoke at the event saying, “Today is such a positive day for both the children’s audiology service and our service users. These new facilities are some of the best in the UK and reflect the standard of clinical practice here in Brighton.
“We have already witnessed the impact of the beautifully designed rooms and the toys so generously donated by Rockinghorse. These toys don’t simply provide a means of play, but also greatly help with clinical testing and we are getting fabulous results using them.”
Rob went on to thank all the people who helped make this new department happen, including clinicians in the service and in the neighbouring ENT team, managers and leaders within the Royal Alex, project managers within the Estates Team at the hospital, parents and the National Deaf Children’s Society.
We are so proud to be just one small part of making this wonderful new resource for children needing extra support with their hearing.
To find out more about other projects we are currently funding, just click here.
