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 October 2023
A Targeted Lung Health Check is a two-stage process to help assess the health of the participants lungs.
It begins with a telephone call or meeting where a specialist nurse will ask a series of questions to evaluate the participant's chances of developing lung cancer.
If they are identified as someone who is at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, they will be invited for a quick scan to produce a detailed image of your lungs.
There are often no signs or symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage. As a result, there is a risk of delayed diagnosis and reduced treatment options.
TLHCs can help diagnose lung cancer early, at a stage where treatment can be simpler and more successful. They can also help diagnose other issues which again can be treated at an earlier stage.
Patients aged 55 to 74 who have ever smoked will be invited to a Lung Health Check, providing their smoking status is correctly recorded in their GP record.
Participants will be invited to an initial assessment which usually takes place over the phone.
Patients will be contacted at the time of their appointment by a specialist health advisor. They will ask the patient a series of questions about their smoking history, lifestyle and current health and wellbeing.
The health advisor will complete two risk assessments based on the answers given by the patient. If the patient meets a certain risk threshold on either of the risk assessments, they will be offered an appointment with a nurse and a low dose CT scan.
The risks and benefits of the CT scan will be explained to the patient by the nurse.
You may also be asked to take part in the iDx trial whilst you are at your CT scan. The healthcare professional with you will explain what the trial is about and if you are eligible to take part.
Data from the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme so far shows that with these potentially life-saving checks, lung cancer early diagnosis rates can be as high as 80% - compared to less than 30% without this type of intervention – enabling doctors to treat cases sooner, when curative treatment is more possible, saving more lives.
There are strict eligibility criteria for the TLHC, as set by NHS England. To be eligible, you must be:
If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria, you will not be invited for an NHS Lung Health Check.
If you feel you meet the eligibility criteria and you haven’t received an invitation, there could be several reasons for this:
Please keep an eye out for your invitation which will arrive by post in a yellow-coloured envelope.
The invitation will include information about a booked telephone appointment for you to chat with a health professional about your chances of developing lung cancer.
If needed they will refer you for a quick scan at Rodney Road, Illustrious Dr, Portsmouth, Southsea PO3 6GT.
You will also receive text reminders ahead of your telephone appointment.
The letter will have information about who you need to contact if you need to change your appointment or if you have further questions about the process.
The TLHC programme will be rolling out in GP surgeries in Fareham and Gosport in the near future. If you are eligible to take part, then we will contact you when the programme starts.
It will take two full years to cover this area so please don't worry if you don’t receive an invitation this year. A rollout schedule will be published so you can find out when your GP surgery will be getting their invitations.
If you are worried about any current symptoms, then please get in touch with your GP. You can find a list of lung cancer symptoms on the NHS website - Lung cancer - Symptoms - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
During the scan, you'll usually lie on your back on a flat bed that passes into the CT scanner.
The scanner consists of a thin ring that rotates around a small section of your body as you pass through it.
Unlike an MRI scan, the scanner doesn't surround your whole body at once, so you shouldn't feel claustrophobic.
The radiographer will operate the scanner from the next room. While the scan is taking place, you'll be able to hear and speak to them through an intercom and they will talk you through the process.
Please find the participant's booklet here.
For an Easy Read version, please click here.
If you would like a translated version of the participant's booklet, please call 023 9338 2625.
