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.

Developing QA Hospital

Last updated: 06 March 2023

Walk in entrance nov
Ambulance entrance nov 2021
New carpark impression
New ED Artist impression
Brand new ward building

Improving Queen Alexandra Hospital for patients, carers and colleagues

Over the next few years we are planning a number of significant improvements to the QA Hospital site to ensure we can continue to deliver high quality services in efficient, well-maintained and well-designed buildings.

These include our new emergency department and improvements to our buildings. Increasing the amount of clinical space available will not only help us to meet the growing demand for our hospital services, but also enable us to provide care in the most modern, welcoming and safe environments for our patients and visitors.

We have extensive plans to improve the ‘biodiversity’ on site: creating green spaces, planting trees, shrubs, and other plants to improve the environment for our patients, local community and colleagues. You can read more about our sustainability plans here - https://www.porthosp.nhs.uk/about-us/climate-change-and-sustainability.htm

Our new Emergency Department opening Winter 2024

 

Supported by £58 million of national funding we are building a new Emergency Department of the people of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas.

The ED will provide a range of improved facilities including double the current resus capacity from four adult bays to eight for patients needing treatment for critical conditions; two further paediatric resus bays for children; a new CT scanner for patients requiring a specialist scan, and faster access to our radiology team for scans and tests.

You can now take a tour of the new facilities with our new fly through video. Take yourself on a virtual journey and see how the new design will help our staff to work in a more streamlined way, continue to improve patient safety and provide the best possible care.

You can find out the latest information on the building progress on our social media channels:

Get involved

If you would like to be kept updated or get involved as we develop our new emergency department, please email us at bbec@porthosp.nhs.uk.

Frequently asked questions

Our Emergency Department dates back to 1979 and since then demand for urgent care has grown. In Portsmouth, the average daily attendance at the Emergency Department in 2010 was 240 patients per day. By 2017 this had risen to 299 per day and now sits routinely at 324 patients per day, although on busy days the department sees up to almost 400 patients. Predominantly this increase has been focused in the areas of major illness and paediatrics although all parts of unscheduled care have seen increased demand.

There have been some enhancements to the physical space (most notably in the paediatric Emergency Department). However the physical layout of our majors area remains a significant operational challenge and impacts on the patient experience. As a result, despite all of our best efforts it is now clear that the adult facility is no longer fit for purpose, a fact recognised by external experts, including the CQC in their recent inspection report on our urgent and emergency care service in May 2018.

  • Eight adult resus bays for patients needing treatment for critical conditions.
  • Two additional resus bays for children.
  • Faster and direct access to our radiology teams for scans and tests.
  • A streamlined design to improve visibility of patients. 
  • Adults and children treated in single rooms, not only improving privacy and dignity but also helping to prevent any spread of infectious conditions.
  • Two waiting areas for children and young people
  • Designated ED drop off zone as well as disabled car parking close to the entrance.
  • Better access for ambulances with a covered handover area.
  • An accredited Changing Places accessible facility
  • Energy efficient design and engineering.
  • Easy-to-understand signage and wayfinding for visitors.
  • Dedicated rest areas for staff.

No. All Minor Injuries units will remain in place. The ED will only treat people that have serious and life-threatening conditions. If you need urgent care for conditions that aren’t serious or life threatening, you can access the minor injuries units, urgent treatment centre or call 111.

If you have a minor injury or illness, then you will need to contact 111. The ED should only be used for serious and life-threatening conditions such as:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing problems
  • Severe bleeding that won’t stop
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Severe burns or scalds
  • Major trauma after a serious traffic accident, fall from a height or head injury.

Parking on-site is always going to be challenging as we have very limited space to expand. To make sure we can provide the best services in modern and safe clinical environments the new ED is being built on the East Staff car park. This has meant a reduction in spaces for staff on the site. Alternative free car parking has been made available as part of the park and ride scheme.  We are also encouraging people with routine appointments and visitors to the site, to use alternative modes of transport where possible.

There will be two separate waiting areas for children and their carers. One area will be for younger children with soft surroundings. The other area is themed as a ship and is designed for older children.
There will also be a designated drop off zone for people attending Children’s ED.

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Queen Alexandra Hospital,
Cosham,
Portsmouth,
PO6 3LY

  • 023 9228 6000

© 2023, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust