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: 29 September 2021
48-year-old Olivia (Livvy) Gosney is sharing her story this #WorldHeartDay after being diagnosed with heart valve disease back in 2015.
At the time, Livvy was living in Salisbury when doctors found a heart murmur. However, she was told not to worry as she had a good 20-years before she would need an operation.
A few years later, when living in Portsmouth, Livvy was stung by a jellyfish and rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital’s (QA) Emergency Department. This was when Livvy began to see her condition rapidly decline and found herself being referred to the cardiology team at QA following a cardiac arrest.
“It was a shock because I put everything to the back of my mind as I was told I had at least 20-years before having to worry. I’m only in my 40s with a young daughter and I was rapidly watching my heart deteriorate.”
Normal tasks became a chore for Livvy, who struggled to do simple things like making dinner, walking up the stairs and even talking. She added: “My condition got so bad I struggled to get by day-to-day. I was constantly breathless, dizzy and fatigue. It was a tough time, but I was lucky enough to have the support of my amazing husband, family and cardiology team.”
Livvy is under the care of QA’s consultant cardiologist Dr Guha, who Livvy describes as amazing. “He really is the best cardiologist in the world,” she said. “It was an extremely scary time but with Dr Guha you are not just a patient, you are a human being. He gets to know you and explains everything, really putting you at ease.”
Eventually Livvy was referred to Southampton General Hospital for surgery, but the specific heart valve that she wanted wasn’t available. Knowing her body and the choices available to her, Livvy was referred to St Thomas’ Hospital in London, thanks to the support of her consultant. She said: “I had done my research and knew the heart valve I wanted. The cardiology teams at all sites were really amazing in supporting my wishes, which is how I ended up having my surgery in London.
“It’s really important to speak with your healthcare team to discuss your options and wishes. I did, and with their support I now have a heart valve with a 20-year lifespan.”
Now Livvy is looking forward to getting back to normal life, spending time with her family and getting back to work. Exercise has played a really important part in her recovery and thanks the cardiac rehab nurses at QA for referring her to the cardiac rehab programme. She added: “Cardiac rehab gave me the understanding of how I can get back to feeling my best, safely.”
Livvy has also gone on to campaign for other patients like her, working with charity Heart Valve Voice. Watch this heart-warming video she shared with the charity, showing her patient journey before and after her surgery: https://youtu.be/KgDEuYZ2z7s
