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…

Our Strategy – Working Together, Improving Together

Our strategy sets out our vision, values, strategic aims and most importantly, how we will deliver against these ambitions for our patients, communities, and people in the future.

It is not just a document, it is for and about everyone at PHU, building on what we have achieved with a renewed focus on continuous improvement and the need to continue to work together and improve together to achieve our goals. 

A full copy of the strategy can be downloaded here.

For more information, please visit our strategy webpage.

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

Baby delivered at St. Mary's urgent treatment centre

Date: 07 March 2022

Baby born at UTC

In February, newborn Miley Joe became the first baby delivered at St. Mary’s Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC).

When Jessica Vincent went into labour, her partner, Joe Lockhart, knew they weren’t going to make it to Queen Alexandra Hospital (QA) in time. In a panic, Joe pulled into St. Mary’s UTC with no time to even park.

Pulling up to the UTC and sticking on the hazard lights, the couple were quickly brought into the centre.

With the centre typically treating minor injuries such as broken bones and burns, the team called over to the Portsmouth Maternity Centre, run by Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU). Based just across the road, midwives Nicola Jakins and Becky Dixon-Wright came running over to help deliver the baby safely.

After just 15 pushes and just over an hour after Jessica’s waters broke, the baby was born.

Arriving three weeks early, it came as a surprise to mother, Jessica. She said: “It was so overwhelming, and it all happened in the blink of an eye. We couldn’t be more thankful to the staff. Words can’t explain how amazing they were.”

One of the first people to help on the day was Connie Cassidy, assistant practitioner at St. Mary’s UTC. Recalling the day, she said: “I ran over to the Portsmouth Maternity Centre to get the labour pack and midwives. It was the first baby I have delivered and it was an amazing experience. I was emotional and very proud of myself and my colleagues.”

Gill Allen, community matron for maternity services at PHU, added: “I was working at the Portsmouth Maternity Centre on the day we received the call from the urgent treatment centre. Two of our midwives, Niki and Becky, ran across the car park to support. I was really proud of how they acted so swiftly to ensure the safe arrival of the baby.”

Miley Joe, the couple’s second child, has since returned home as the newest addition to the family.

The baby’s father, Joe, noted: “It’s very busy, juggling my business and family life, but it’s been amazing. The staff were brilliant, and we came in the next day to give staff champagne and flowers for their help.”

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