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.
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.
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
