The Piam Brown Ward.

The Piam Brown ward is where we get the majority of our referrals for families to stay at our holiday home.

Hannah was treated at the Piam Brown Ward at Southampton General hospital. She helped to raise money for the ward.

The Piam Brown Ward is the Regional Paediatric Oncology and Haematology Unit for Wessex, based on the top floor of Southampton general Hospital. Children come from as far afield as Chichester, Brighton, Portsmouth, Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Dorchester, Basingstoke besides Bournemouth, Poole, Eastleigh and Fareham. They cater for children from a day old to 18 years of age so demand on the resources is huge. They treat all types of cancer of which leukaemia is the most common. Leukaemia accounts for approximately one third of new patients each year. They receive approximately 90 new families per annum.

The "Team"

The team is multi-disciplinary, led by 3 Consultants, supported by differing grades of doctors in training. Nurses are at different levels in their professions whilst social workers, physiotherapists, dieticians, pharmacists, research and data staff, support and play staff all have an equally important role to play. All monies raised for the Piam Ward are spent to further support patients and their families.

Play Room

Always an ongoing need to replace and update toys and activities.

School-Room

A very important resource, heavily used by all school-aged children. The allowance per term is limited so they supplement to meet the need. In the evenings and holidays this area is designated for teenagers.

The Paediatric Outreach Nursing Team

Thay support children out in the community, visiting at home and at school. They have responsibility for our palliative care patients and spend funds as appropriate to meet specific requirements.

Outings

Highly motivating and hugely important .Thay aim to do something with different age groups throughout the year. Teenagers attend Avon Tyrell in the New Forest for a residential weekend and many are offered the opportunity to go sailing during the summer months. Visits to Longleat, Legoland, Paultons Park, Marwell, Popham Airshow, Southampton Football Club and Thomas the Tank Engine events are always fully subscribed! Christmas and Easter are big Family celebrations.

Equipment.

The service is very specialised and expensive to run. Whilst the NHS provides all the basics, the Charity Fund helps to meet the cost of some of our specialised pumps and monitors.

Research and Education.

Without the specialised training in Paediatric Oncology they would not have the nursing staff to run the ward. Funds are spent to meet this need by attending conferences, courses etc.