We are a small service working 1–2 days per week. Our team is made up of a Clinical Psychologist and two Occupational Therapists.
We provide assessment, intervention, advice and support to children and young people (up to the age of 18 years) who live in Brighton and Hove with a diagnosis of ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).
Our appointments are usually at Seaside View Child Development Centre. However, if you are unable to attend the appointment at Seaside View, we are able to carry out home visits. We are able to offer virtual appointments but require a face-to-face appointment every 6 months.
Before coming to see us, you will have already met with a paediatrician at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital who will have diagnosed your symptoms as ME/CFS.
Our role is to assess the difficulties you are experiencing and then create an individually tailored intervention plan to help you manage and overcome these difficulties.
Once we have accepted a referral, we will offer you an appointment to meet with our Occupational Therapist and Clinical Psychologist. This usually takes around 60-90 minutes with any breaks needed. We may send out questionnaires ahead of the appointment to help us understand your current needs. During this appointment an agreed plan of support is developed together.
We work in a flexible way that is patient-centred and collaborative with young people and families, considering their individual needs.
We offer specialist assessments and both individual and group therapy appointments, workshops for both young people and caregivers, and consultation and advice to other services and medical teams. We liaise closely with education providers to help them understand your needs in relation to your ME/CFS.
We also deliver education/training about ME/CFS to other professionals, schools, and families.
Any follow-up appointments or onward referrals will be actioned as and when appropriate.
We can only accept referrals for children and young people (up to the age of 18 years) who are resident in Brighton and Hove, and following a diagnosis of ME/CFS by a Paediatrician at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.
GPs should refer patients to Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in the first instance.
Please see the Child Development Services main page for Child Development Centre addresses and opening times.
If you need advice about our services, facilities or staff, or would like to make a comment, please contact Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS).
You can contact PALS by the following:
Tell us what you think about our services, what we are good at, where we can improve, and what matters to you? All feedback will be shared anonymously wherever possible, but if you have any questions about this, please ask.
