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: 27 August 2021
As part of NHS England's 'Next Generation of Nursing' initiative, Josh Pagden, chief nursing information officer, has shared how his role brings together clinical and digital specialities to enhance patient experience at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) and the variety of roles available in the nursing profession.
How long have you been a nurse, and how long at PHU?
I qualified in September 2001 and have been at PHU for over nine years. During my now 20 years in nursing, I have worked for private companies, voluntary organisations and six NHS Trusts.
How would you explain your role?
My role is primarily about bringing together digital and clinical expertise to enable us to plan, build and implement digital technologies, that are useful for clinical staff and improve the safety and experience of our patients.
This involves having a good understanding of subjects that aren’t traditionally associated with nursing, such as statistics and data and an understanding of how people work in all areas of the hospital.
One of the most exciting aspects of my role is that I’m able to improve and change how we work across a range of different areas and explore new and exciting digital tools, the potential of which we have only just started to appreciate.
Why did you decide nursing was the career path for you?
I suppose like many people, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I chose this career because it gave me flexibility in such a varied profession. Perhaps I wanted to work in another country, gain specialist skills or increase my income through training and expertise – all of this is possible with nursing.
The range of different opportunities that are open to you mean you never lack a challenge. In addition, I knew I wanted a career where I could make a positive difference and nursing provides that opportunity every day.
What attracted you to your area of nursing?
I’ve worked in many roles, as part of busy teams in Emergency Departments to operating as an independent practitioner in community health centres. However, what I love about my current area of work as it gives me address some of the biggest challenges we face. I’m a bit of a “fixer” and digital solutions provide the tools to enable us to fix those challenges. From reducing the risks of harmful errors to using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to supporting clinicians to make the best decisions. It’s an exciting, fascinating area to be working in that is rapidly changing.
How does working closely with patients impact your everyday life?
The work we do has a significant impact on patients and their experience with our hospital. It impacts how well informed and confident they feel that they are receiving the right treatment. For this reason, we involve patients wherever we can in supporting us to design solutions that have their interests at the centre.
Your role is unique within PHU – why is that?
Whilst I’m the only chief nursing information officer, there is a growing number of clinical colleagues who are working in this area and this is only going to increase in the future.
Clinical informatics is a relatively new area of expertise however we have an ever-increasing range colleagues specialising in this area including midwives, pharmacists, physiotherapists and many others. This is essential if we are to ensure their deep understanding of these areas of clinical practice inform how we use technology to support the way we work in the future.
What is the most important thing people need to know about nursing?
I think it is important to understand that nursing isn’t a single profession or role, it is a multitude of different roles. The skills, energy, passion and ideas you bring are more important than the hierarchies you might initially think stand in your way.
Any advice for someone thinking about nursing as a career?
Consider what you are passionate about and what you are good at and use this to shape where you can take your career.
For more information about the NextGen Nursing initiative, please visit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/
