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: 25 May 2022
Sue Twells, staff nurse at Queen Alexandra Hospital (QA), is retiring after dedicating 48 years of her life to the NHS.
The mother of two began her nursing journey in 1974, studying at the Portsmouth School of Nursing. She started off as an adult staff nurse on the male urology ward at St. Mary’s Hospital before moving to the fracture clinic and orthopaedic ward at the Royal Hospital. From there she went on to work on D1 and the Intensive Therapy Unit at QA.
Years later, Sue completed her paediatric training and worked on the orthopaedic and surgical ward. She played an instrumental role in moving the ward down to the Shipwreck ward at QA and spent the rest of her career there.
A job in nursing was always Sue’s goal in life. She said: “It was something I’d always wanted to do. I just went for it and never looked back. It’s a good job and a rewarding one.
“I remember working with a patient and it took six months before he could walk again and go home. It was really rewarding to watch the patient improve and follow his journey. As a nurse, you can always go home with a sense of achievement.”
Looking back at her time at QA, Sue reflected on what she will miss: “I will definitely miss the people the most. I worked with some amazing teams and will miss getting to see them every day.”
Sue’s daughter, Vicky Donnelly, followed in her mother’s footsteps and is currently a matron at QA. Vicky said: “My mum is a true inspiration. She was the one who encouraged me to become a nurse and has supported me throughout my career so far.”
Sue recommends the role and offers the following advice to anyone looking into nursing as a career: “I think the key point is to listen. Ask for advice from your colleagues and they will be able to support you and share their own experiences. Don’t be afraid to raise new ideas and ask for help if you need it.”
Sue is looking forward to spending time with her family and taking care of her grandchildren at her home in Copner. She will have plenty of time to enjoy her hobbies of Lego and reading, and says she is excited for the little freedoms she will now have - including wearing nail varnish and jewellery every day!
