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.
Last updated: 22 April 2022
Visiting our sites
We know how important it is for you to keep connected with your loved ones when they are staying with us and we have worked hard to support visiting over the pandemic.
From 1 April 2022, we will be supporting further visiting to our hospitals with the following guidance that helps keep our patients and our staff safe.
Visitors to our sites must continue:
You no longer need to show evidence of a negative lateral flow on entry.
Visiting an adult inpatient
Visiting is supported on our wards, seven days a week. Depending on the ward you are visiting, there will be different time slots in which you can visit.
You no longer need to book an appointment time before attending or show evidence of a negative lateral flow test, but please call the ward beforehand to find correct visiting times.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, loss of taste and smell, or a temperature, or diarrhoea and vomiting, please do not visit until you are better.
Patients can have two visitors at the bedside at one time and must wear a mask when in the hospital.
Compassionate visiting will remain in place for patients who are end-of-life.
Some departments such as oncology, renal, ITU and patients on elective surgical pathways have different arrangements in place for visitors including asking them to carry out a lateral flow test on arrival. Please contact them directly about this if you are unsure of arrangements.
Attending appointments
When coming to one of our sites for an appointment, you will need to continue to follow the advice above around face masks and remember to be respectful of those around you.
We would still encourage you to attend your appointment alone if you can, however if you need to bring someone with you, we will support this. You should not attend appointments if you have symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, loss of taste and smell, or a temperature, or diarrhoea and vomiting.
Emergency Department
If you arrive at our Emergency Department outside of an ambulance, you can be accompanied by someone to help you during the visit. They must not have any COVID-19 symptoms, flu or diarrhoea or vomiting.
Children (NICU and Paediatrics)
Both parents and/or guardians of children can visit with no restrictions of time in place. You will be asked to wear a mask or face covering.
Older Person's Medicine
Maternity visiting and birthing partners
Women and birthing people attending appointments both within the hospital or community clinics can be accompanied by one partner/support person who must wear a face mask. Where possible please do not bring children to clinic appointments although we understand that this is sometimes unavoidable. Due to the nature of ultrasound scans, children are not permitted to attend these at any time.
When in labour, two birthing partners are welcome to support you for all of the time that you are on labour ward (B8) or on the birth centres (B5, PMC or Blake).
If you are having a caesarean birth, only one birthing partner can accompany you to theatre, this is due to the limited space in the operating theatre.
If you are being induced, one partner is welcome to support you on the ward between 9am and 7pm although we would encourage your birth partner to ensure that they do go home and get some rest ready to support you when labour starts. Once labour has started and you are moved to the labour ward, a second birthing partner can join you.
On the antenatal ward (B6) and postnatal ward (B7), a single partner is welcome between 10am and 7pm. Between 2pm and 7pm each day, a second person can visit too. No more than two people can be at the bedside at one time, they must wear a face mask and if the ward becomes too crowded, some visitors may be asked to leave for a while. Unfortunately, no siblings are currently able to visit, but this is under constant review.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your midwife or the midwife in-charge.
Virtual visiting
You can still use our virtual visiting services and speak to your loved one by video call rather than visiting. Our staff will be happy to help arrange a date and time for you through our Family Liaison Service via FLOinbox@porthosp.nhs.uk
When you leave the hospital, please make sure you sanitise your hands and dispose of your mask in one of the bins provided. If you have any concerns about coming to the site, please talk to a member of staff.
