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About Us
QAHH is currently the only Hospital Home south of London which provides specialist nursing care for ex-Servicemen and women.
The QAHH provides both long term residential and respite care for men and women who turn to us for nursing care, rehabilitation, and support. We enable them to live as independently and as actively as possible in an environment that they can think of as their home.
At QAHH we have a proud history and extensive experience in heavy dependency nursing. This includes providing specialised rehabilitation of those with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI).
The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home tailors a programme specifically for the individual. This is supported by a social and recreational programme allowing residents to participate in hobbies and learn new skills in a warm, supportive, home- like environment.
The facilities are designed to encourage rehabilitation, self-development and independence. We accept residents from age 18 upwards and have 60 beds for both permanent and short term respite care. Back to top
Our History
The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home is a remarkable institution with an inspiring history. Casualties in the First World War reached appalling numbers and the home was founded to care for those who were permanently disabled. The vision of Gladys Marchioness of Ripon, the Home was founded in 1919 in Roehampton through the generosity of the Charrington family. In an outstanding story of voluntary effort, people from all walks of life rallied round to help, including the Royal family and, in particular, Mrs Verena Hay, who devoted over twenty years of her life to bringing her friend Lady Ripon's vision to reality.
From the outset new standards of care were established. Long before the concept of the Welfare State, the Home pioneered medical and social care procedures that are taken for granted today. The first steps in physiotherapy and occupational therapy were followed by helping the residents to re-train and to find employment. Heroes and heroines abound in the story of coping with disability. There are wonderful stories of the courage and cheerfulness and individual residents whose lives were restored and enriched by the devotion of many volunteers
The move to Worthing in 1933 was achieved in spite of bureaucratic obstacles and some local opposition, though the residents soon took 'the Boys' to their hearts. Vital support came from the British Red Cross Society, the Order of St John and the 8th Duke of Richmond as well as military and other charities. Operating with a deficit in nearly every year of its existence led to energetic financial planning, and the support of benefactors always made the difference between success and failure.
We are a registered charity, providing a permanent home with devoted nursing and medical care for disabled ex-Servicemen and women. The centre of the community is the club room with its bar, library and television. Specially adapted coaches take the residents on regular outings and visits.
While most of the 60 residents are long term, we also welcome ex-Servicemen and women for convalescence after hospital treatment or to provide two to four week short-term respite, with nursing and medical treatment, for carers.
Anyone who has served in HM Forces at any time or in any capacity and requires residential care is eligible for admission.
To keep the costs as low as possible, we depend on donations and legacies to subsidise fees.
You can purchase The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home - A History by David Farrant. Copies are available at £14.95 from Reception or we can send a copy to you in the post for £16.95 inc. postage and packaging. There are also a few signed books available on request. Please make Cheques payable to the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home and mark for attention of Fundraising department.Back to top
Future Plans
The central tenet of our purpose (to provide nursing care for disabled ex-Servicemen) remains the same as when QAHH was founded. However, in other respects much has altered as we respond to the changing needs and expectations of ex-Service personnel. For example, we are preparing to meet the needs of younger people, who may have served in recent or current conflicts, and we have recently opened our doors to ex-Service Women, changes made possible by the opening in autumn 2005 of a new annexe. This building provides 22 en-suite rooms, state-of-the-art physiotherapy and occupational therapy facilities and, we believe, will appeal to younger residents and women.Back to top
Our Mission and Core Values
Mission Statement
"Is it the mission of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home to provide a multi-disciplinary approach for the care and rehabilitation of those with Neurological and medical disabilities predominantly for those who have served with HM Forces."
Core Values
Our principal core beliefs, care values and ideals are centred on the key areas of Privacy, Dignity, Right, Independence, Choice and Fulfillment. These beliefs and values are not prioritised in order, as we believe them to be of equal importance.
Privacy
We understand that living in a shared environment and requiring help with personal tasks can be extremely invasive of privacy and that its appropriate and effective management is a key benefit desired by residents.
Dignity
We appreciate that disability can undermine dignity and we treat each resident as a valued individual to maintain their dignity and effectively fulfil their wishes.
Rights
We recognise that living in a protected, shared environment can inadvertently deprive a resident of their rights as citizens unless managed effectively.
Independence
People give up a considerable amount of personal freedom when they enter the QAHH shared environment. As such, we actively encourage each resident to function as independently as possible in order to retain his or her place in society.
Choice
We want our residents to enjoy a wide and flexible range of high quality personalised care plans, leisure and social activities and menu, lifestyle and day-to-day living choices.
Fulfillment
We passionately believe in helping our residents to maximise their ability and achieve their closely held personal aspirations where possible.Back to top
Organisational Structure
Annual Review 2009
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