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...
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.
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...
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.
The Queen Alexandra Hospital is located just on the hill slopes of Portsdown Hill overlooking Portsmouth. It is conveniently situated for both the M27 and A3M.
Family members and carers play an important role in supporting patients during an episode of ill health. We are committed to the active involvement of family members, friends and carers during a hospital stay. Family members and carers play an important role in supporting patients during an episode of ill health.
More information on visiting hospital for an appointment.
If you've had experience of using our services and would like to make a comment then please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Your views are very important to us and we would like to hear where you think improvements are needed or where things have gone so well that you would like to share your thanks or gratitude with the staff involved. When things have not gone so well then you can be sure that we want to hear from you, so please get in touch with PALS.
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.
We welcome and value your feedback and use the views you share with us in a number of ways to learn and make improvements as well as sharing best practice. Feedback can be provided in a number of ways.
Last updated: 10 November 2020
The Healthcare Science Apprenticeship is a work-based training programme that provides a step into the NHS. Designed around the needs of the workplace and employees our apprenticeship programme is suitable for people who want to work within a patient or non- patient environment, are at least 16 years old (there is no upper age limit), and who are committed to undertaking a 12 - 15 month full-time apprenticeship programme (37.5 hour per week). The Healthcare Science Assistant (HCSA) performs a range of low risk, routine technical and scientific procedures using standard operating procedures, initially under direct supervision but increasingly with experience, under indirect supervision. There are several pathways for the level 2 HCSA apprenticeship including: Pathology, Decontamination Science, Respiratory, Medical Equipment library and Radiology. Some of the apprenticeships will include shift working (evenings and weekends) depending on the role.
‘My confidence has grown so much over the year that I am able to be the only healthcare in a theatre during the operation and know exactly what needs to be done.’
‘This has helped me prove to myself that I can do a job where a lot is required of you and to the very particular and required standards set’.
‘I feel that I have progressed so much since I started. I am a real part of the theatre team and I am now confident in my role’
‘I think that the apprenticeship programme has been an excellent learning opportunity both practically and academically’
Looking back, this was the best decision I made to apply for this apprenticeship.
‘ It has been important for me to sign off all my care competencies as I wanted to feel like a valued part of the team in my area’
‘This year has been one of the fastest of my life but I have enjoyed it all. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone looking to start a career in the NHS.’
How to apply :- apprenticeships are advertised on the national apprenticeship website and/or the NHS jobs website.
www.apprenticeship.org.uk
This is a work based learning programme that follows the curriculum set for Healthcare Science Assistant Level 2 Apprenticeship standard (click here to find out more Healthcare Science Assistant Apprenticeships) During the course of the apprenticeship you will learn the skills required to work in a suitable work environment such as preparation of the environment for healthcare science procedures, production of reliable data, accurate record keeping, stock control, inputting and retrieving of patient data.
English, Maths, Science A-C GSCE or equivalent. Some pathways may require appropriate work experience.
Depending on the vacancy and department...
You will be based at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.
At Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham.
The majority of the training will take place in the workplace with regular visits from your training consultant. There will be regular classroom sessions held in the Trust’s Education Centre.
Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust pay newly appointed apprentices in accordance with the national apprentice wage - £3.70 per hour in the first year of apprenticeship training, rising to age appropriate minimum wage for remainder of apprenticeship training.
You will work 37.5 hours per week. Shift working may be required.
Our annual leave year runs from April to March. In this time you will be entitled to 27 days holiday plus 8 Bank Holidays.
Apprentices are placed in a department where there is a potential vacancy. Providing you work successfully and complete the apprenticeship you will be offered a permanent Band 2 role within the Trust.
Further development opportunities are available upon completion of the apprenticeship, such as the Level 3 Healthcare Science Associate apprenticeship.
