Department of Psychiatry
At the Department of Psychiatry we care for people with acute mental health problems until they are ready to leave hospital and live in the community.
Our wards are for people with functional mental illness and are single gender:
- Bodiam Ward is for male adults (age 18-65)
- Amberley Ward is for female adults (18-65)
- Heathfield Ward is for older female (age 65 plus).
Patients may on occasions be admitted to an adult ward when over 65 and vice versa, depending on clinical need e.g., frailty and physical health conditions.
When you're admitted to the Department of Psychiatry you'll be seen by a doctor and nurse to discuss the circumstances that resulted in your admission to hospital. This will include your mental health, any difficulties affecting you, your personal history and social situation. We use this information to plan your care and treatment.
Your physical health and routine checks such as blood/urine tests will be carried out and you'll be asked about your general health.
On the next working day after admission you'll be invited to a meeting with the psychiatrist in charge of your care, or their deputy, junior doctors and a member of nursing staff. We'll discuss the circumstances of your admission and mental health and draw up a care plan with you. We'll review your care plan weekly to review your progress and the effect of any treatment.
We offer a programme of activities, including some evenings, to help you work towards your recovery and occupy you whilst in hospital. A member of the activities team will meet you to discuss the group and individual activities offered, and to produce an individual programme for you.
You may also be assessed by an occupational therapist to decide whether any additional support would benefit you after discharge to assist with daily living skills or improve your activity levels.
A discharge coordinator will help to identify any housing or financial issues and will assist in contacting the relevant agencies to address any problems.
We can accommodate visitors on an appointment only basis, with a maximum duration of one hour. All visits must be pre-booked with staff in advance will take place in the designated ground floor meeting room, or in the family room.
All our visitors are asked to wear a face covering.
The team includes doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, activity workers, occupational therapists, a psychologist and a discharge coordinator. Nursing staff will be allocated to work with you and provide support and information on a regular basis. They'll be responsible for coordinating your care and will work with you and your family/carers to identify your needs and plan how these can be met.
How to get here
By bus
The following services stop outside the hospital on Kings Drive:
- 1A, 4, 5, 5A, 6, 51, 54, 98, 501, Loop (Stagecoach)
- 25 (Saturday only) 26 (Sundays and public holidays) Cuckmere Buses
The following bus services stop inside the hospital grounds:
- 5, 5A (Stagecoach)
- 45 (Fridays only, Cuckmere Buses)
- 125 (Compass Bus)
By train
Eastbourne station is approximately 1.5 miles from the hospital. Main line trains from London Victoria run frequently to Eastbourne. There is a taxi rank at Eastbourne station.
Hampden Park station is approximately 1 mile from Eastbourne Hospital, however, trains are less frequent.
Visit Eastbourne Hospital's website for more information about how to get there.
Parking information
- Pay-and-display parking is available at the hospital. Visit Eastbourne Hospital's website for more information about parking, including charges.
- Free parking is available for Blue Badge holders.
Opening times
24 hours per day, seven days per week.