The Lawson Unit is moving up!

PAGE LAST UPDATED 15/06/2023

Many of you will now have been notified that the Lawson Unit clinic will be moving to the new hospital building across the road.

 

DATE CONFIRMED!! 

Lawson Unit will re-open in the new hospital on 19th June 2023

 

 

 

How do I find the new Lawson Unit? 

  • Enter the new hospital building from Eastern Road.
  • Follow the signs to Lift ‘A’
  • Take lift A to level 6 – you’re there!
  • We are still awaiting signage for ‘Lawson Unit’ – so look out for department ‘A6’

 

 

The Lawson Unit has been a familiar fixture for patients and staff for many years. We are fortunate to have this upgrade to the clinical space, but we very much want to keep the essence of the Lawson Unit and transfer it to the new location. We will be located in our own private space on 6th Floor with stunning views, large clinic rooms and a bright and modern environment.

The Lawson Unit team of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and reception team will remain exactly the same.
The same high-quality structure of care you’ve always received at Lawson Unit will remain exactly the same. 

 

Ness and Caroline joined by our newest receptionist, Ryan, at the new Lawson Unit reception desk.
Photo taken 01/03/2023

 

Further information from main hospital website:
The 3Ts hospital redevelopment – Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust (bsuh.nhs.uk)

 

 

 

08/11/2022

We had an opportunity for 10 people to visit the new Lawson Unit space. We are all getting very excited now and the new space is BEAUTIFUL. Have a look at some updated picture:

 

01/03/2023

Would you like a virtual tour of the new space?  Well you’re in Luck!!
Let Ness & Caroline show you around…

 

08/11/2022

Dr George Finlay reports: It’s not often that you see a politician speechless, but that was the effect our 3Ts development had on Brighton MP Caroline Lucas when we took a group of stakeholders round the site at RSCH on Friday.

“I do feel a bit speechless, to be honest,” she said. “The space, the airiness and, of course, the views are just extraordinary.”
You can read the full feedback from the visit on the UHSussex website – Chichester MP Gillian Keegan also described the new facilities as “amazing” for patients – but this tweet sums up the tone:

 

 

 

Some images of our new space:

New reception desk looking into waiting room (Still a bit of a construction site)

Reception desk (Can you imagine Ness and Caroline working hard here?)

Looking out from new waiting room (Zoe pondering the views in her high-viz jacket)

Arial view of the 3Ts buildings

 

Questions / comments / feedback from patients

Q. Will the Lawson Unit name be kept the same
A. All of the new 3Ts departments have been assigned names/numbers based on their location (for example, 1a 1b 2a 2b). The Lawson Unit will be location on floor 6, so all signage will direct you to ‘6a’ (which will be The Lawson Unit). We are planning to have a ‘Lawson Unit’ sign when you enter the new space at 6a.

Q. Will my usual doctor and nurse stay the same
A. Staffing will be completely unchanged and you’ll still be seen by your usual team. The only thing that’s changing is the location.

Q. How will I collect my prescriptions if moving to the new hospital building?
A. Prescriptions will still be dispensed by Pharm@Sea or Alcura, and can be collected or delivered as currently.

Comment. “I’ve been a Lawson Unit patient for many years. I’m worried that it won’t feel like a family any longer”
Response. The Lawson Unit has been a familiar fixture for patients and staff for many years. By keeping many of the existing fixtures and fittings within The Lawson Unit, and the same quirky staff, we always aim to keep that friendly atmosphere.

Q. How do I find the new Lawson Unit?
A.  Enter the new hospital building from Eastern Road.
Follow the signs to lift ‘A’
Take lift A to level 6 – you’re there!

 

What do our team think?

The Lawson unit team have been waiting for this move for a long time and are looking forward to being in a spacious purpose-built unit with air conditioning and amazing views of the sea. Being located in the main hospital in a designated clinic space will give patients easy access to other services and facilities and for the first time, HIV outpatient and inpatient services will be co –located on the same floor. There is feeling of cautious excitement as the team prepare for the move and focus on how best to use the fabulous space we have been given. The move is also an opportunity to develop new working relationships while maintaining strong links with existing colleagues and services.

Some staff (but by no means all!) are welcoming the opportunity to walk up 6 flights to get to the unit and to boost keep their daily step count. Rest assured there is a lift for everyone else!

Now that the move is imminent, some team members are really sad to be leaving the Lawson Unit and very conscious of how big a change this will be for both patients and staff. There is an overriding desire to settle in as quickly as possible so the team can continue to stay ahead of the game providing care for people living with HIV.

 

 

Page last updated 21/03/2023