We know how important it is for patients and families to be able to see visitors. Please help us keep our patients and staff as safe as possible by checking the guidance below before you visiting.
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 Voluntary Services team 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: 03 March 2022
The Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust Simulation Centre, developed and set up by Professor Gary Smith, was officially opened by Secretary of State John Reid on 5th December 2003. The focus of the Simulation Centre is the training of healthcare professionals as individuals (for specific techniques) or as members of multi-professional teams. Simulation training is provided to train the staff and enhance patient centred care. The Simulation Centre runs various courses for staff ranging from trainee doctors and nurses, anaesthetists, surgeons, physicians, paediatricians, health care support workers, nursing associate/ associate nurse practitioners, operating department personnel, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
The sophisticated human patient simulator consists of a whole body manikin driven by mechanical and computer software. Modeling of the cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic systems of humans, together with fluid status, acid-base, temperature and pharmacodynamic effects of numerous drugs permits realistic scenario portrayal and role-playing.
Heart rate, rhythm and heart sounds
Blood pressure (non-invasive and arterial)
Respiratory rate and sounds
Oxygenation/Saturation levels
Temperature
Bowel Sounds
Anaesthetic gas parameters
End Tidal carbon Dioxide levels
Airway swelling and difficult intubation parameters
Clinical Skills capability such as catheterisation, naso-gastric tube insertion and cannulation
ACRM - Anaesthetic Crisis Resource Management
Advanced Practitioner Programmes
Critical Care Induction & Nuts and Bolts
De-escalation
Emergency Department Programmes
Final Year Medical Students
Foundation Year One Doctors
Health Care Support Workers / Nursing Associates and Associate Nurse Practitioners
International Transition and Overseas Programmes
Management of the Deteriorating Patient Programmes
MDT Theatres
Mental Capacity Act & Deprivation of Liberty (MCA&DOLs)
Paediatric Programmes
Physiotherapy Simulation
Preceptorship Programmes
Renal
Stroke
Coming soon
Dr Victoria Cathie
What do you do:
When I'm not working with the simulation team I'm based on the acute stroke ward. I've been working at PHU for the past 4 years and this is my second year as a simulation fellow - it went so well last year they couldn't keep me away!
I've been working with the Older Persons wards to deliver in-situ simulation to the MDT covering topics such as deteriorating patients, falls, hypoglycaemia, stroke and communication skills. I've also developed an on-call bleep simulation experience for medical students.
This year I'll complete my teaching diploma, I'll be continuing to add to our in-situ projects within MOP and we are currently developing communication simulation around end of life care - it's exciting, it's going to be a busy year.
What would you like to do after your fellowship:
In-situ simulation is growing rapidly and becoming so well respected on the wards I'm excited to see how far we can embed the training to the natural ward life. I hope to achieve a streamline handover of the project reins at the end of the year and facilitate future learning.
I have no intention of hanging up my simulation hat and hope to continue working with simulation training throughout my future career.
Simulation faculty - support and opportunities
I've been lucky enough to be welcomed into the simulation team and given just the right amount of support and independence to feel in control of my own simulation projects. I've benefited from the professional knowledge and experience of my colleagues as well as having their encouragement working towards conference submissions and teaching progression. I hadn't expected that within the first year I'd be faculty on formal simulation courses or attending international simulation conferences to represent PHU.
I couldn't advocate a fellowship in simulation enough, particularly to anyone with a teaching or education interest. The simulation team at PHU really do stand out. Their reputation and ongoing work is well respected within the simulation community and their drive to deliver top quality teaching is evident in every course.
Administration: 02392286000 Ext 6258
Clinical Educators: 02392286000 Ext 1286
Email Address: Simulation.Centre@porthosp.nhs.uk
Monday - Friday (9:00am - 17:00pm)
Dr Ben Atkinson, Clinical Director, Simulation Centre.
Email: Ben.Atkinson@porthosp.nhs.uk
Lisa Toft, Resuscitation and Simulation Manager.
Email: Lisa.Toft@porthosp.nhs.uk or telephone 023 9228 6000 (Ext 5848)
Emma Williams, Senior Clinical Educator in Simulation
Email: Emma.Willaims@porthosp.nhs.uk or telephone 023 92286 000 (Ext 1286)
Raquel Gonzalez, Simulation Educator in Simulation
Email: Raquel.Gonzalez@porthosp.nhs.uk or telephone 023 9228 6000 (Ext 1286)
Tsepiso Shinda, Aspiring Simulation Educator in Simulation
Email: Tsepiso.Shinda@porthosp.nhs.uk or telephone 023 9228 6000 (Ext 6258)
Peter McCulloch, Simlation Technician in Simulation
Email: Peter.Mcculloch@porthosp.nhs.uk or telephone 023 9228 6000 (6258)
Emily Foord, Simulation/VIMARS Administrator
Email: Emily.Foord@porthosp.nhs.uk or telephone 023 9228 6000 (Ext 6258)
Simulation Centre, The 2nd Floor, QuAD Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 3LY
Joined the Trust in 1998. Worked in the operating theatres as a HCSW (Health Care Support Worker) and then trained to be an ODP (Operating Department Practitioner). Changes roles in 2013 to Education. Obtained clinical educator role in simulation which covers over 20 courses using Human Patient Simulators (HPS) delivering how to recognise the deteriorating patient, anaesthesia, paediatrics, dementia and Multi Disciplinary Team working (MDT). This is also complemented by the surgical laparoscopic simulation suite (VIMARS) which has recently opened and specialises in courses such as suturing, stapling and basic surgical skills. As the educator, I am expected to liaise with course directors, set up and manage equipment and plan teaching sessions. I have completed my first year of teaching certificate and plan to progress to a degree pathway to enhance my teaching and education skills.
Registered with HPC - Health Professional Council
