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.
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: 30 November 2022
It has saved my life.
Those are the words of 74-year-old John Rochester from Portsmouth who was diagnosed with lung cancer in the summer following a free Lung Health Check from Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.
The Royal Navy veteran, who smoked for nearly four decades, had surgery to remove the lung cancer and is now back to his gardening.
John said: “It really is amazing how quick it has all been sorted. I got the letter in the summer inviting me to the free Lung Health Check at the Rodney Road Centre in Fratton, then I had a follow up scan and was told I had lung cancer.
“I had surgery and I have been told I won’t need any follow up treatment.
“The free Lung Health Check has saved my life.”
John is among more than 8,000 former and current smokers, aged 55 to 74, in Portsmouth that so far have been invited to the Lung Health Check programme in a drive to improve earlier diagnosis of lung cancer in the city and save more lives.
Of those that have been diagnosed with lung cancer, following their free Lung Health Check, 80% have been diagnosed in Stage 1 and 2 when treatment is simpler and more effective.
Lung Cancer lead and Respiratory Consultant at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Dr Alex Hicks said: “This is such a fantastic programme because we can identify lung cancer at an earlier point and offer a cure.
“In my clinics before the programme, I would see only 30% of cases where I could offer that patient a cure, with this programme I can offer 80% of patients a cure which is a complete game changer.”
John wanted to share his story to encourage Portsmouth residents to take up the offer of the free Lung Health Check.
More than a quarter of those who have been invited already have not responded or opted out of the programme.
John said: “I would really encourage anyone who gets offered this check to take it up because it can save your life.
“I have been telling my neighbours and anyone who walks past me while I am gardening to go because it is so important. People never think it will be them, but it can be and it is better that it is caught early.”
If you have missed your free Lung Health Check appointment or think you should have received an invite letter, please call the team on 02392 282625.
Copnor GP and Clinical Director, Portsmouth Place of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board Dr Linda Collie, added: “We would really encourage people to get their free Lung Health Check and get back in touch with the team if you have missed your appointment or invite because it really can save your life.”
More than 24,000 people in Portsmouth will be offered the check over the next two years.
The city was chosen to be part of the NHS England pilot programme due to its high incidence rate of lung cancer, with nearly two thirds of cases presenting at a late stage.
The programme is expected to roll out nationally by 2025 – 26.
For more information, please visit www.porthosp.nhs.uk/lunghealthcheck
