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: 04 February 2022
Time: 09:00
It was nearly a year ago that we shared the story of charge nurse John Arnell, whose message was “go get checked” after he was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer.
We’ve seen his journey along the way, which started out as a tough year for John following his shock cancer diagnosis last year.
At the time, John was caring for sick patients on the neuro rehab ward at QA, rehabilitating patients with COVID-19 without realising he was battling his own illness of bowel cancer.
But in October 2021, things were looking up. John was finally given the news he was hoping for – he was cancer free. His CT scan was clear and taking his last dose of chemotherapy, John rang the bell to mark the moment.
As we headed in 2022, things continued to look good for John as he celebrated being discharged from the Oncology team. He said: “I was so pleased to finally be discharged from oncology. As I head back onto the wards picking up some of my clinical duties, I would say 2022 is kicking off to a good start.”
John thanks the support from his family and friends and the care he received at QA, which got him through the ups and downs. “I wish to thank my family for going through hell with me and holding me up. My friends and extended family of Portsmouth Hockey Club. For the outstanding care I received by everyone at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, and of course for the support I received from my own team at the hospital. And to all others offering their well wishes. Thank you so much,” John added.
On World Cancer Day today, John hopes to use his story to help others get themselves checked. He said: “I never thought that I would be going through what I did at the age of 45. But I did and that is why I hope to raise awareness of bowel cancer in younger people. I had little symptoms, so that is why it’s so important to listen to your body. If my story helps other people to get checked, then I will be so pleased.”
You can read John’s original story on our website and the moment he took his last round of chemotherapy and ringing the bell on our Facebook page.
