Current visiting times

After suspending visiting earlier in the year, we are now able to offer limited visiting to some wards at the discretion of the nurse in-charge.”

Read more on visiting times...


Messages for loved ones and keeping in touch

We recognise the impact that a long stay in hospital can have on families and the importance of maintaining strong communication.  Our ward staff are keeping in touch with patients’ next of kin directly and our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help pass on personal messages from family and friends.

Read more information about messages for loved ones…

Current visiting times

After suspending visiting earlier in the year, we are now able to offer limited visiting to some wards at the discretion of the nurse in-charge.”

Read more on visiting times...


Messages for loved ones and keeping in touch

We recognise the impact that a long stay in hospital can have on families and the importance of maintaining strong communication.  Our ward staff are keeping in touch with patients’ next of kin directly and our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help pass on personal messages from family and friends.

Read more information about messages for loved ones…

During your stay in hospital you will meet a number of different members of staff.  All members of staff wear name badges, but if you are not sure who someone is or what they do, please feel free to ask them to introduce themselves and explain what they do. 

If you have any questions about your treatment, please ask a doctor or a nurse.

There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved with the Trust, from volunteering to attending our public meetings, our Annual General Meeting or our hospital open day which is held every year.

Orthoptics

Last updated: 02 October 2019

ORTHOPTICS

Orthoptics is an Allied Health Profession (AHP) that investigates, diagnoses and treats defects of binocular vision and abnormalities of eye movements in both children and adults. This includes squint (strabismus), lazy eye (amblyopia), refractive errors (long sight, short sight and astigmatism) and double vision (diplopia).

We work closely with the consultant ophthalmologists and optometrists as well as other departments as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including stroke rehabilitation team. The department is an accredited centre for the teaching of Orthoptic Students from University of Liverpool, Sheffield and University College of London.

 

  • Paediatric Orthoptic Services: These appointments will be at Queen Alexandra Hospital or Gosport War Memorial Hospital.
  • Adult Orthoptic Services: These appointments will be at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
  • Paediatric Screening services: These appointments will be at Battenburg Avenue Clinic (Portsmouth) or Oakpark Medical Centre (Havant).
  • Paediatric Refraction Services: These appointments will be at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
  • Special School Services: We run a Special Schools Servicewhere we routinely visit the special schools within Portsmouth, Fareham and Waterlooville area to provide routine eye tests for children with known eye problems within their school environment

 

What to expect at your Orthoptic appointment?

Routine Orthoptic appointments last approximately 20 minutes for children and 40 minutes for adults. Your appointment will be longer if you have a joint appointment to see the Ophthalmologist and/or Optometrist. As we are a teaching hospital you maybe seen by a student Orthoptist. Please inform the receptionist if you do not wish to be seen by a student working under supervision.

You may need to have drops put into your eyes on the day of your appointment. These dilate (Enlarge) the pupil and blur your vision. As your vision will be blurred for some time following the drops, it is advised that you do not drive yourself to your appointment and make alternative travel arrangements. For your first appointment please bring a copy of your current glasses prescription with you.

 

Meet the Team:

  • Eleanor Burley – Head Orthoptist
  • Emma McPhail – Senior Orthoptist
  • Caroline Miles – Senior Orthoptist
  • Danielle Carter - Senior Orthoptist
  • Sumithra Thiyagarajah – Senior Orthoptist
  • Naeem Akbar- Orthoptist
  • Jemma Hoise- Orthoptist

 

Useful Links:

http://www.squintclinic.com/

https://www.orthoptics.org.uk/patients-and-public/

https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/

https://www.nystagmus.co.uk/

Where to find us

Lift area 8 at QA Hospital.

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Get in touch

Queen Alexandra Hospital,
Cosham,
Portsmouth,
PO6 3LY

  • 023 9228 6000

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