Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

23/07/2025

⚠️ Resident doctors plan to take industrial action from 07:00 on Friday 25 July to 07:00 on Wednesday 30 July.

We are calling on the public to support us by taking some simple steps during this time:

https://orlo.uk/47QxI

21/07/2025

With graduation ceremonies happening across Sussex, we're sending a huge well done to every graduate from all of us at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

Your hard work, resilience and dedication have paid off and your future is full of possibilities.

What's next?

Whether you're stepping into your first role or looking to make a meaningful impact, the NHS offers a wide range of career opportunities - Take a look at what SCFT have to offer by visiting our website.

Click the link in the comments below.

18/07/2025

We are delighted to share that Maria, a Healthcare Support Worker within the Horizon Unit at Horsham Hospital, has been honoured with a HCSW Chief Nursing Officer award.

Maria was nominated in the ‘Improving lives’ category for her exceptional dedication and impact to improving the lives of her patients and colleagues.

Congratulations Maria! 🌟

Read more about Maria’s award by clicking the link in the comments below.

17/07/2025

Whether you’re going abroad or enjoying a staycation this summer, with the school holidays on the horizon, make sure you’re prepared for a healthy summer by taking some simple steps:

✅ Check if you need any vaccinations for your destination
✅ Order repeat medications well in advance so you are covered while you’re away
✅ Build a first aid kit you can take with you to manage any minor illnesses or injuries – ask a pharmacist for advice
✅ Don’t forget to pack your SPF, and check it’s still in date!

14/07/2025

Our Brighton Hilltop Nursery celebrated the opening of its new garden, a space designed to spark imagination, creativity, and joy! Children from Crawley Rainbow Nursery and Hove Butterfly Nurseries travelled by train and bus to join in the fun too (big thanks to & Hove Buses for providing the tickets).

Cara, Head of Trust Nurseries, said: "It’s been such a joy to see the children’s faces light up as they explore the new garden."

A huge thank you to everyone who helped bring this vision to life, creating a space where children can play, explore, and thrive.

Read more about the event in the comments.

11/07/2025

With the sunshine around for the next few days, let’s all take a moment to look after ourselves and each other.

Here are a few simple tips to stay safe in the heat:
💧 Stay hydrated – drink plenty of water
🌞 Avoid direct sun between 11am and 3pm
🧴 Use SPF and don’t forget to reapply!
👁️‍🗨️ Keep an eye on children, older adults, and anyone with health conditions

If you start feeling unwell or notice signs of heat exhaustion, take a break in the shade, cool down, and sip water.

10/07/2025

It's been a privilege to work with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust & Macmillan Cancer Support on this pioneering innovation in palliative and end-of-life care.

The Comfort Tracker app is an innovative new digital tool to support patients receiving care in the community. It was developed through a collaboration across Sussex, including our very own Lisa O’Hara, Nurse Consultant in Palliative and End of Life Care at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

Lisa shared: “I'm pleased to have been able to help shape a tool that puts patients and families at the heart of care. The Comfort Tracker app gives us real-time insight into how people are feeling, so we can respond quickly and compassionately.”

Well done to everyone involved in the design of this new app.

We’re incredibly proud of the amazing team for launching the Comfort Tracker app — a new digital tool designed to support patients receiving palliative and end-of-life care in the community. 👏💙

The app was developed by clinicians working across community and acute care, including Dr Suzanne Ford-Dunn, Palliative Care Consultant at University Hospitals Sussex, Lisa O’Hara, Nurse Consultant Palliative and End of Life Care at Sussex Community Foundation Trust, and Dr Rachel Melsom, Macmillan Palliative and End of Life Care Transformation Lead for Sussex.

Dr Suzanne Ford-Dunn was awarded a Digital Fellowship, part of UHSussex's research initiative, earlier this year to help develop the app. She said: “We know that most people want to be at home at the end of life, but many still experience unmanaged symptoms or unplanned hospital admissions. This app helps us respond more quickly and provide reassurance to patients and carers when they need it most.”

The pilot is part of a wider collaboration between Healthwatch West Sussex, Macmillan Cancer, UHSussex and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. It aligns with our five-year Research and Innovation Strategy and the new Sussex-wide research strategy to improve care and reduce health inequalities.

📲 A step forward in compassionate, connected care!

08/07/2025

Today (8 July), we celebrate International Paramedics Day, a day dedicated to honouring the commitment, courage and compassion of paramedics around the world. These frontline heroes are often the first to arrive in emergencies, providing critical care and support when it's needed most.

Tom, Advanced Clinical Practitioner, says; "Being a paramedic still gives me a huge sense of pride. It's been amazing to see the evolution of our profession - from traditional emergency response roles into more integrated and advanced clinical positions within urgent and community care."

Joe, Transfer of Care Hub System Lead, says; "I am proud to be a Paramedic. I have worked in the NHS for 25 years and this has provided me with an oversight of both acute and community pathways which I can relate to my current role supporting patients and operational teams in patient discharges."

07/07/2025

Are you passionate about helping people regain independence at home after hospital discharge?

Come along to our event and find out more about the Health and Therapy assistants roles in our Home First Service!

Chat with members of the team and learn what it is really like in the Home First Service as well as hearing about training and career development opportunities we offer.

Be interviewed on the day – you could walk away with a new career opportunity.

Roles available predominantly in Brighton, as well as Chichester, Worthing, Crawley and Horsham.

Event Timings:
Date: 25 July 2025
Location: Arundel Suite, 2nd floor Arundel Building, Brighton General Hospital, Brighton BN2 3EW

See the link in the comments for further information and to apply for an interview slot.

05/07/2025

Happy 77th birthday to the NHS!

Today we celebrate 77 years of care, compassion and commitment. We’re incredibly proud of all staff and volunteers at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust for their continued dedication to delivering excellent care at the heart of our community.

Whether working with patients or behind the scenes, thank you for everything you do to make a difference in the lives of those who use our services every day. 💙💙💙

30/06/2025

With the weather still looking hot over the next few days, it is important that we make sure to look after ourselves and those around us.

Make sure to:
Stay hydrated
Avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm
Use SPF and remember to reapply!
Look out for children, older people and anyone with underlying health conditions who may need support.

If you are showing signs of heat exhaustion, cool down and drink plenty of water.

28/06/2025

This Armed Forces Day we’re proud to stand with our Armed Forces Community, all serving personnel, veterans, reservists, cadets, and their families.

Angie, one of our clinical leads and a military spouse, reminds us: “Military families often move location, which can make accessing healthcare challenging. As a Trust we’re committed to asking every patient if they or their immediate family have ever served in the Armed Forces so we can ensure they receive the respect and care they deserve.”

Read the full article on our website (link in comments).

We’ve pledged our support through the Armed Forces Covenant, and we encourage all organisations to do the same.