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.
Our Strategy – Working Together, Improving Together
Our strategy sets out our vision, values, strategic aims and most importantly, how we will deliver against these ambitions for our patients, communities, and people in the future.
It is not just a document, it is for and about everyone at PHU, building on what we have achieved with a renewed focus on continuous improvement and the need to continue to work together and improve together to achieve our goals.
A full copy of the strategy can be downloaded here.
For more information, please visit our strategy webpage.
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 July 2023
The renal informatics team looks after the various electronic systems used by the service which store invaluable information regarding patients’ blood results, treatment, prescriptions, drugs and other relevant medical information.
The team also provides monitoring and audit information to clinicians and management team that aids in decision making and helps provide better patient care.
We also oversee the unit's contribution to national audit programmes such as the UK Renal Registry and NHS Blood and Transplant.
If you are interested in reading more about these, please consult the "further reading" section below.
The team assists Wessex Kidney Centre patients with gaining access to the Patient Know Best system which allows them to access their own blood results, letters and information about their diagnosis and treatment.
To find out more visit the Patients Know Best website.
If you wish to join Patients Know Best, please download and complete the enrolment form. Once you have completed it, please take it to your next appointment or dialysis session and ask a member of staff to witness the form and forward it to the Renal Informatics team at QA.
Dr Tim Leach is Medical IT Lead and provides advice and guidance to the informatics team. He represents informatics among the consultant nephrologists.
Jin Baichun is the renal information and systems manager and has overall responsibility for renal informatics and the systems used by the unit.
Sheila Davies is the renal data administrator and is our local administrator for the Patients Know Best system.
To contact the team please call 02392 286000 Ext 1003.
Please note that while we are more than happy to assist you with Patients Know Best queries, we cannot comment on your blood results or clinical treatment.
If you have any concerns about the contents of any of your blood tests or letters, you should contact your consultant via their secretary.
You can read more about how PHT manages patient information on the Information Governance pages.
Further reading
• UK Renal Registry
• The Renal Association's page on Informatics
• NHS Blood and Transplant
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Dr Amir BhanjiCare Group Director MD In 2013, I completed my training in renal medicine, during which I completed a master degree in health policy, planning and financing. I started as a Renal Consultant at the Wessex Kidney Centre in 2014. I am consultant lead for the haemodialysis programme that includes one hospital unit and eight regional dialysis units. Currently, I am working on the 10 year strategy for haemodialysis provision across Wessex, which may involve re-tendering of existing units. I like to spend my free time with friends and family. I enjoy gardening and when I get a chance I will try and get out on my bicycle for a short cycle around the South Downs. |
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Dr Rupesh Sutaria Clinical director for transplant Consultant transplant and general surgeon |
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Mr Szabolcs HorvathConsultant Transplant Surgeon In 2004, I qualified from Medical University of Pecs, Hungary and then worked in the Department of Surgery at the university between 2004 and 2013 with an interest of general, transplant and hepatobiliary surgery including keyhole surgery for hernias, gallstones and nephrectomies. I finished my training and became a consultant surgeon in 2012. Between 2013 and 2016 I was a post CCT clinical fellow in Transplantation and Organ retrieval in Cardiff Transplant Unit, University Hospital of Wales. I joined Wessex Kidney Centre in Portsmouth in 2016 as a locum consultant transplant and general surgeon and in June 2017 I was appointed to a substantive post. My special interest is minimally invasive surgery including donor nephrectomies, hernias and gallbladder operations and also in postgraduate surgical training. I am a member of the British Transplant Society, European Society of Organ Transplantation, Hungarian Transplant Society, and Hungarian Surgical Society. |
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Dr Jonathan Louden,Consultant Nephrologist |
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Kathryn Watson MBBS, BSc, PGcert, FHEA
I am a consultant nephrologist and also a consultant in general medicine. In 2006, I completed my undergraduate training at University College London. I trained in nephrology and general medicine in Wessex as well as Kings College Hospital, Guys & St Thomas and St Georges’ Hospital London. I have a strong interest in medical education and pioneered in-situ multidisciplinary simulation training whilst an educational fellow at Kings College London. I am currently joint Royal College of Physicians college tutor for internal medical trainees in Portsmouth and Junior doctor lead within nephrology responsible for the recruitment, supervision, education and support for SHO level doctors. I also organise the educational training days for medical registrars across the deanery. |
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Dr Kathryn BostockConsultant Nephrologist MBBS BSc MSc FRCP In 1999, I qualified from Imperial College (St Mary's), London and undertook my nephrology registrar training in Wessex. During this time I completed a Masters in Nephrology and Management at the University of Brighton and became a consultant nephrologist in 2013. I am joint lead for the peritoneal dialysis service (with Anna Sampson), travelling across the region to provide specialist MDT clinics to PD patients. We also both manage the Isle of Wight Nephrology Service, including 40-50 Haemodialysis patients within the IOW Satellite Unit. I am the Junior Doctor Lead within the department, responsible for the recruitment, supervision, education and support of SHO grade doctors, ensuring they get the most from their placements with us. I have three young children and enjoy running (mostly around after them!) but also take part in local races and try to keep the garden tidy! |
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Dr Amanda LairdConsultant Nephrologist
Dr Gary LeggattConsultant Nephrologist
Dr Venkat GangaramConsultant Nephrologist |
Dr Helena EdwardsConsultant Nephrologist
Dr Daniel StewartConsultant Nephrologist
Dr Katie FlowersConsultant Nephrologist
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Renal Vascular Access Team aims to look after all forms of vascular accesses for haemodialysis patients. The team ensures the pathway to fistula formation is as smooth as possible for our patients.
The team has recently started a one stop fistula assessment clinic on a Friday morning, in this clinic the patient will have education about his/ her fistula, a scan to assess the quality of the veins and a surgical review.
Sarah Kattenhorn has worked on the Renal Unit for 33 years and Claire Whitehill-Worked on the Renal unit for 20 years.
Funding for some of the equipment for this clinic was raised by a sky dive the team took part in April 2017. The team is always ready for the next challenge.
Contact the vascular team on
QA phone number 02392 286000 Bleep 0003
Sarah Kattenhorn mobile 07834 150020
Claire Whitehill mobile 07834 150018
We are a group of 6 enthusiastic dietitians who cover pre-dialysis clinics, acute inpatient wards, haemodialysis units, peritoneal dialysis and home haemodialysis. We cover a wide geographical area including Portsmouth, Bognor Regis, Basingstoke, Chandlers Ford, Isle of Wight, Salisbury, Havant, Totton and Milford and have nearly 100 years of experience between us!
The main topics we cover are weight loss/gain, high dietary potassium, high dietary phosphate, dietary advice for gout and renal stones and pre-dialysis advice. We keep up-to-date with evidence based practice and regularly present at conferences on our department research and audits.
Renal Dietetics, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY
02392 286000 ext 1016/1014
Interested to know about your diet as an inpatient? Click here!
For general dietetic advice, please click here.
http://www.britishkidney-pa.co.uk/
https://britishrenal.org/aboutus/
https://www.selfmanagementuk.org/
Losing weight with kidney disease
Research within the Wessex Kidney Centre
The Wessex Kidney Centre hosts the recently established Academic Department of Renal Medicine that aims to deliver high quality research and innovation across all aspects from basic science to patient facing research. The Department draws upon its multidisciplinary team to build an integrated portfolio of research that supports national NIHR sponsored trials, Portfolio adopted Chief Investigator-led research, local research and staff development, with the undertaking of higher qualifications. We have been locally and nationally recognised for our contributions to studies and for our innovation in areas such as patient education.
What does Research mean to the Wessex Kidney Centre?
Research provides the opportunity to work closely with people to look at a question or problem or quality issue and address it in a way that we can learn and benefit from that. The aim is to
•develop new treatments or drugs for patients
•prevent illnesses
•improve quality of life
•improve our understanding of medical conditions
•understand the emotional and physical support you need if you're living with a medical condition.
Currently we run 17 NIHR studies covering a wide variety of areas representing the scope of interests within the Unit. These interests include local CTIMPs and interventional studies.
https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/research/uk-renal-research-strategy
http://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/research
http://www.kidneypatientguide.org.uk
The exceptional Renal Admin team ensures the best possible service is provided to our Patients, Clinicians and Nursing team. Our team consists of a Service Manager, PA/Admin Manager, Donor Admin Coordinator, Outpatient/PTL Coordinator, Inpatient Administrators, Outpatient Administrators, Medical Secretaries, Data Administrator, Anaemia/TIS Administrators as well as numerous volunteers who also support inpatient and outpatient activity.
Our Renal Admin team supports clinicians and nurses with various administrative tasks including; booking, recording and preparation of all outpatient and inpatient activity. Secretarial support to all Consultants and Surgeons, administrative support to the Transplant Coordination team, Anaemia, HD and TIS helps support the excellent care given to our Renal patients. In addition our teams also supports the Renal Management team in related matters such as Finance and Business Intelligence.
Meet Jane Elmes - Renal Service Manager
I started in the WKC in 2006 as an administrator progressing to my current position as Renal Service Manager. My role is to support the provision of operational management to the Senior Management team and for the CSC working closely with the clinical lead to ensure the smooth operational running of the Unit and our satellite units. As part of my role of support and deputize for the General Manager and Renal IT Manager.
The role I undertake for the unit is exciting, demanding, fulfilling and varied. I enjoy the fact that no day is ever the same, never knowing what the day ahead will bring. I feel truly honoured to support such a passionate, dedicated, hardworking and exceptional CSC.
When I do have time to relax I like to spend time with my husband and family as well as reading, running and general relaxation.
We are a team of 4 experienced renal nurses who offer support and advice for patients and their families with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease.
Our role is to help you prepare and plan for all aspects of Renal Replacement Therapy (Dialysis, either Haemodialysis or Peritoneal Dialysis),Transplantation and Conservative Management.
We cover a wide geographical area including Hampshire and IOW, West Sussex and Wiltshire.
We run regular clinics within which you will meet one of the Advanced Kidney Care nurses and a dietitian.
Our initial assessment is an hour long appointment where you will be given an overview of the treatment options available and the opportunity to have your questions answered. We encourage you to bring a family member or friend with you to this appointment.
Following assessment and education, discussion will take place about treatment choices and a plan of care will be agreed, enabling you to choose the type of treatments most suited to your lifestyle.
Advanced Kidney Care Nurses (Donna Fry, Anna Morgan, Lynn Watkins and Christine White)
Wessex Kidney Centre, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Southwick Hill Road, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3LY
Telephone 02392 286000 ext 1033/1049
Alison Samways, Administrative Support 02392 286000 ext 1033
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a long term condition where the kidneys slowly stop working. This means that the kidneys are unable to do their usual jobs, such as removing waste and excess water from the body. As a result harmful toxins and excess fluid build up in the body.
Usually people with advanced CKD have kidneys that are permanently damaged and at some stage will stop working altogether as the disease progresses. The rate at which the kidneys deteriorate will vary from person to person.
You will be expected to make an informed decision about your treatment at different stages as your kidney disease progresses. All dialysis options have side effects and are life-changing. You will need to think carefully about which dialysis treatment suits you and your lifestyle best.
The majority of people will be able to have the dialysis treatment they choose. However, some people have a medical reason which means that one dialysis option is better for them than another.
You will need to make a decision regarding your choice of dialysis before your kidneys fail. This is for the following reasons:
You will be expected to make a decision with the help of your kidney doctor and the Advanced Kidney Care nurses about the type of renal replacement therapy. If you choose not to have any renal replacement therapy you will also be offered supportive care, also known as conservative care.
Wessex Kidney Patient Association
www.wessexkidneypatientsassociation.org/
Kidney Care UK
www.kidneycareuk.org
01420 541424
National Kidney Federation
www.kidney.org.uk
0800 169 0936
Renal Association
www.renal.org
Kidney Research UK
www.kidneyresearchuk.org
NHS Organ Donation
www.organdonation.nhs.uk
NHS Chronic Kidney Disease
www.nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease
Your Dialysis Journey
www.yourdialysisjourney.co.uk
