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: 02 August 2021
For Southsea couple Laura and Lucy Burden-Smith, it was important they were both involved in the breastfeeding journey of their three children.
After four fertility treatments, Laura, 39, gave birth to their twin boys at 34 weeks back in June 2018 at Queen Alexandra Hospital.
Lucy, 34, said: “The boys were born on different days via different birth methods and, being a touch on the early side, one was born with his suckling reflex and the other needed help with feeding.
“Laura was determined to breastfeed but establishing it with early babies, following difficult births, was not easy. Blood loss made getting a supply up tricky and the smaller twin needed tube feeding.
“After we were discharged, one of the twins was still not breastfeeding effectively and it took some weeks to establish it fully with him.
“Once Laura and the boys got going, the next step was to master tandem feeding, initially at home and then out and about
“The Infant Feeding Team from QA did a home visit and the Facebook group for the charity Breastfeeding Twins and Triplets UK was a great support as well.”
Just before the twins’ second birthday, Lucy fell pregnant and Laura decided to carry on feeding once a day in order to maintain her supply in the hope of feeding their new arrival.
Lucy said: “It was always my wish to exclusively breastfeed the child I carried, and, after a long but happy labour, I was thrilled when Laura quickly helped me get him latched and feeding soon after birth.
“After a few days without sleep, I was very appreciative of Laura being around in QA as she was able to give him a feed from the breast whilst I got a couple of precious hours' rest.
“Breastfeeding has been a fairly straightforward ride for me; after a few days of soreness, we swiftly cracked it and feeding has been a happy and comfortable experience ever since.
“I am really pleased that our new baby has been exclusively breastfed and that Laura has been able to be part of his feeding story as well.
“We have been lucky to have each other for support in breastfeeding, as well as from wider family and friends who have been positive about our choices."
For any individuals or couples wanting to get support and advice on breastfeeding, please visit our maternity feeding page.
