A thousand thanks

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has come a long way in recent years and now offers a wide range of services more in line with patients' needs. 

Phase 3 of the redevelopment of Queen Alexandra Hospital has been completed and patients are receiving treatment in world class facilities. Our staff have settled in to their new surroundings and benefit from working in an environment they feel good about. 

When I talk about our staff, I automatically include our volunteers.  I do this because of the long association of our hospital with volunteers and voluntary organisations who work tirelessly for the benefit of patients and staff.  The volunteers who have worked with us down the years have, in many instances worked as hard as those in paid employment.  Through imaginative fundraising, combined with sheer determination, a great deal of money has been raised to enhance the services provided by the hospital. 

We all know of the anxieties patients and families have on entering hospital, but the friendly and encouraging faces of those volunteers around the hospital, guiding people to their destination makes such a difference.  I sincerely hope our relationships will continue to flourish and I am most grateful for everything the volunteers do.  The hospital needs their support and more importantly, the patients who use our services.  I look forward to working with all our volunteers and voluntary groups and genuinely believe that together, we can achieve even more success.  

Ursula Ward MSc MA
Chief Executive