Evelina Children’s Hospital in London is part of St Thomas’ Hospital, located close to Westminster Bridge and has been designed specifically to meet the needs of children and their families.
“Children’s Heartbeat Trust helped support us before our daughter’s operation and gave us a grant to help whilst we were in London for her surgery. They were great while we were away, keeping in touch to see how we were doing as well as asking about our daughter.” -Heart Parent
Once you have received a date for surgery a member of the travel team from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) will be in touch with you to pass on details of your travel arrangements. BHSCT will arrange and pay for return flights and accommodation for your child and two adult escorts. Accommodation in London can vary, BHSCT aims to get you into the Ronald McDonald House for the duration you are in London but sometimes this isn’t possible until a room becomes available. When Ronald McDonald isn’t available you will be put up in a nearby hotel until you can get a room in Ronald McDonald House. Accommodation will be as close to the hospital as possible.
The cardiac ward in Evelina is called Savannah Ward. When on Savannah Ward there is a pull down bed at each bedside that one adult may use to stay overnight. The ward can be very noisy during the night so It can sometimes be difficult to get a good rest, some of our parents have found it best to take turns in staying bedside to get some decent sleep every other night. On each of the wards, there is a family room for parents/carers. Family rooms have tea and coffee making facilities, fridges, a place to eat and a constant supply of hospital toast!
Many parents have commented on how different Evelina feels to any hospital they have been to due to its themed floors, natural light, rooms with views, fresh air and a huge helter skelter slide! For more information on Evelina Children’s Hospital visit the Evelina website.
We can put you in contact with parents that have previously travelled to Evelina for some parent to parent advice, just let a member of our family support team know. Click here to read some practical tips from parents that will help you find your way around your new surroundings at Evelina.
