We're delighted to announce the opening of our 'Better at Home' suite, funded by WellChild. This new initiative helps parents and carers learn the skills they need to look after children with complex health needs at home.

It is a training suite that feels just like a child's bedroom, one of only ten in the UK. Here, parents and carers learn crucial life-saving skills in a setting that's familiar and less intimidating compared to a normal hospital environment. They will be taught everything they need to help care for their children at home, using an advanced manikin, which can simulate many varied health conditions.

For parents who have children with complex needs, it can be scary for them to think about dealing with medical emergencies at home. That's why this training suite is so important. It offers a controlled, safe space for them to learn and build their confidence. The training can also be offered to extended family members, enabling much needed respite.

Jenny Clancey, our complex discharge coordinator, said: “The suite is a great place to teach families. It’s less noisy and chaotic than the ward, and parents can ask questions freely in a private setting. We believe this will help them feel more confident and reduce the length of hospital stays for children.”

Four-year-old Alma, along with other young patients, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony. Alma’s father, Razvan Moroz, said: "This suite could really help my family and me. With Alma needing round-the-clock care, it's stressful. But if my family could get hands-on training from professionals in a safe space like this, it would make a huge difference. It would give me more confidence in their abilities and some time to myself."