Accessing our care

How to make a referral

• If you’re a young person with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition you can refer yourself.
• If you’re looking to refer your own child we’d be very happy to hear from you.
• If you’re reaching out on behalf of a family with a child or young person in need of care, then you will need to discuss the referral with the family before you get in touch with us.

Who can access care with us?

The care we provide can be introduced at any point throughout a child’s life or death – some children may require palliative care from birth, others only as their condition deteriorates. Our doors are open to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions who are not expected to reach adulthood.

• Life-limiting conditions are those for which there is no reasonable hope of cure and from which children sadly will die. Some of these conditions cause slow deterioration over time rendering the child increasingly dependent on parents and carers.
• Life-threatening conditions are those for which curative treatment may be feasible but can fail, such as cancer.

A referral to our service does not mean giving up hope or preparing for end of life. It’s about putting in additional support and being given opportunities to make the most of everyday by living well and creating memories together.

We accept children from birth to 17 years old, and families must live in West Sussex, East Sussex, Brighton & Hove or South East Hampshire. We’ll also consider pre-birth referrals and referrals for young people aged over 17 years old in special circumstances.

How we use your information

Download these documents to find out how your information is used and give permission to access medical records. Don’t worry, we won’t do anything without talking with parents, or legal guardians, first.  

• Consent to access medical information
• Personal information and how we use it