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: 13 September 2023
Aimed at supporting the rehabilitation of patients who are receiving care from Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, the Lotus Rehabilitation Garden officially opened last week.
Designed with the support of patients and staff who recognise the value of accessing fresh air close to where they are being treated, the garden will offer a place to rest, recover and rehabilitate.
Trevor Jacobs, who has been an inpatient at QA Hospital for over a year, said the garden is already proving popular with patients.
As part of the official opening, Trevor who was accompanied by his wife Mary shared a poem that he had written about the incredible care he has received and the impact the garden will have by bringing patients together. He added, “This facility is just amazing, and it feels so good to sit out here. I cannot thank the team enough for the help and support they have given me and my family.”
Using green spaces to support the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors isn’t new to the QA Hospital site with a number of gardens already open including Sarah’s Garden for patients receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as the Garden for Life which is open to all.
However, what makes the Lotus Rehabilitation Garden special is that it has been designed to incorporate different surfaces and inclines including steps, ramps, and rails to support patients receiving therapy outdoors in an area that feels calm and relaxing rather than clinical. There are plenty of places to sit down, as well as accessible flower beds at a variety of heights to support patients interested in growing plants. There’s even a greenhouse for when the weather turns.
Mike Homer-Ward, Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, said, “When you come into hospital you expect to be seen and treated quickly before returning home, however for many of our patients requiring rehabilitation this isn’t always possible. We try hard to normalise life for our long-term patients and having access to a garden is an important part of that for their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Mike, who has been a consultant for over 20 years, thanked everyone who has been involved with the garden and added, “This garden is a credit to our current and future patients. The way it can be used not only for therapy, but to simply get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air, is fantastic.”
To mark the opening of the garden, a plaque was unveiled by Penny Emerit, Chief Executive; and Melloney Poole, Chair, who both thanked the generous contributions by local companies that supported the garden, as well as the teams who came together to make it a reality.
Penny recognised the impact the unique space will have and said, “This garden is a fantastic example of where our teams have really thought about what makes a difference to the lives of our patients, their families, and our staff. We have invested in garden space across our sites, but this garden feels special in that it provides so much more than just an area to rest and relax in.”
The Lotus Rehabilitation Garden is open to patients and visitors on ward D10 and includes a sheltered area so it can be used all year round.
