Current visiting times

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...


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 Voluntary Services team 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.

News

A Q&A with Graeme Matthews, mental health matron at PHU

Date: 13 August 2021

As one of the largest employers in Portsmouth, the large and dynamic workforce behind Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU), cover a variety of roles and specialities, all working together to ensure our patients get the best care.

As part of NHS England's 'Next Generation of Nursing' initiative, we’ve caught up with one of our colleagues Graeme Matthews, mental health matron for PHU, to hear about his role and why he chose nursing as a career.

 

 

How long have you been working at PHU?

I have been a qualified nurse for 18 years and worked within the NHS, in psychiatry for 20 years. I started at PHU under secondment in November 2019 and then accepted a full-time position in November 2020.

How would you explain your role?

My role is around having a strategic overview of all mental health at PHU. Occasionally I become involved in operational issues and have a very close relationship with other mental health providers and departments to ensure that patients with mental and physical health problems get the best care and experience they can.

I enjoy advising and am involved in policy development, environmental issues and complex patient pathways so am very closely linked to the safeguarding and risk teams. I regularly review any mental health risks in the organisation and work with departments on how to manage these to support patients and colleagues.

What attracted you to mental health nursing?

It requires careful judgement of people’s behaviour and I liked the challenges that presented. It’s an interesting field to work in as you can’t always see at first-hand what the problem is, and I like problem solving. You also need to have compassion, leadership, and planning skills, which are three things I like. I did find out halfway through my training that my great grandmother was a mental health nurse! She trained in Bethlem Royal Hospital in London just before World War 1.

How does working closely with patients impact your everyday life?

It gives me reflection upon my own situation in life and to appreciate what you have, rather than focus on what you don’t have. It can provide a good insight into life, of things and situations you thought never existed and better prepares you to safeguard others.

Your role is unique within PHU – why is that?

Because Mental Health Professionals are few and far between and it’s a vast area at PHU which effects everywhere.

What is the most important thing people need to know about mental health nursing?

You need patience, you need a bit of bravery at times and to be a good natural leader but understand that there are many different ways of leading others. You need to also have a very good knowledge base.

Any advice for someone thinking about mental health nursing as a career?

Be sure you are ready and don’t rush yourself, experience life a little as it will prepare you for the different situations you will find yourself in and it’s important to be able to reflect on yourself.

For more information about the NextGen Nursing initiative, please visit: www.england.nhs.uk 

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