Our care

Accessing our care

A referral to Chestnut Tree House doesn’t 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.

Who can access care with us?

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.

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.

How to get referred

  • If you think your child or young person would benefit from our services please discuss this with a healthcare professional. They will be able to refer you to our services.
  • To access our services you’ll need to be referred by a healthcare professional. This could include your GP, a community nurse, paediatrician or any other healthcare professional.

Referral information for healthcare professionals