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.
Date: 05 May 2022
Hear from Gloria Mancuso for International Day of the Midwife about how she came over from Italy to start her career as a midwife in the UK.
What is your role within maternity services at PHU?
Hello, my name is Gloria and I have been a midwife since 2016.
I’m originally from Italy, starting my midwifery career in Ireland. I lived in Cork for three years where I met wonderful midwives who helped me to grow confidence in my role and had the opportunity to gain lots of experience in high-risk pregnancies.
I decided to move to Portsmouth in February 2021 to challenge myself in a community midwife role. After a couple of months, I joined a continuity of care team. It has been an incredible experience to be part of the Hera team, providing continuity for women to improve their satisfaction of care and birth experiences. It makes you realise how important your job is.
Last February I joined the Practice Education team in a skills facilitator role, where I will lead the new cohort of international midwives joining our team this summer.
I'm really excited about this next step in my career as being international myself, I’m able to understand how overwhelming and scary it can be working in a different country, in another language, far away from your family and friends.
It’s a cultural change for them and can be stressful. My role, together with my colleagues, is to support them in their transition journey, ensure they can enjoy their job in the NHS and understand how rewarding is to be a part of PHU.
What inspired you to be a midwife?
I started thinking about midwifery as a profession in high school and I couldn’t be happier with my choice.
I’m very passionate about my job.
What do you like about being a midwife?
When I first started as a midwife, my main gratification came from the women’s feedback regarding the care I provided.
Now, within my new role, I have realised that my priorities and goals have changed as I am now helping newly qualified midwives to transition into more confident midwives, providing them with the tools to grow as individuals as well.
Why are you #ProudToBePHU?
I’m #ProudToBePHU because we are a strong multicultural team. Each one of us brings their own knowledge, experiences and cultures making our Trust a melting pot of culture, working together, for our patients.
I look forward to welcoming the new international midwives and even more for them to feel welcomed and integrated in our Trust as my international colleagues and I already do.
