Current visiting times

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...


Messages for loved ones and keeping in touch

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.

Read more information about messages for loved ones…

Current visiting times

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...


Messages for loved ones and keeping in touch

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.

Read more information about messages for loved ones…

Our Strategy – Working Together, Improving Together

Our strategy sets out our vision, values, strategic aims and most importantly, how we will deliver against these ambitions for our patients, communities, and people in the future.

It is not just a document, it is for and about everyone at PHU, building on what we have achieved with a renewed focus on continuous improvement and the need to continue to work together and improve together to achieve our goals. 

A full copy of the strategy can be downloaded here.

For more information, please visit our strategy webpage.

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.

Visiting Times

Last updated: 16 January 2024

We know how important it is for you to keep connected with your friends and family when they are staying with us and there are number of ways you can keep in touch including our FLO service. 

If you are coming to visit a loved one in hospital, please follow the below advice so we can protect our patients and staff:

  • Please wash or gel your hands to minimise the spread of infections
  • If you have symptoms such as diarrhoea or vomiting, please do not visit the hospital for at least 48 hours.
  • If you have cold, flu or Covid symptoms, including a high temperature, try to stay home and avoid contact with other people.
  • If you have loved ones in hospital but are unable to visit, please contact our Family Liaison Team who can help with getting messages to them or arranging video calls. 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 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 as their patients are particularly vulnerable. Please contact them directly about this if you are unsure of arrangements.

  • Open visitation will be allowed between 14:00 – 20:00 daily.
  • Any additional ward visitation (incl. mealtime support) is to be arranged with the ward directly and at the discretion of the nurse in charge
  • Booking an appointment is no longer necessary, however we do ask that visitors sign in on entry to the ward. 
  • Please ensure you are wearing the appropriate PPE for the patient you are visiting.

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.

Both parents and/or guardians of children can visit with no restrictions of time in place. You may be asked to wear a mask or face covering.

**Updated maternity visitor guidance - November 2022 **

 

Maternity Labour - Ward B8

  • 2 birth partners at any time
  • No children

Maternity Labour - B8 Induction of labour

  • Partners: 10am - 9pm
  • 1 additional visitor: 2pm - 7pm
  • No children

Maternity Postnatal / Antenatal Wards - B6/B7

  • Partners: 10am - 9pm
  • Visitors and siblings: 2pm - 7pm
  • 2 adults at bedside at a time
  • No other children (siblings only)

Mary Rose Birth Centre - B5 Labour

  • 2 birth partners at any time
  • No children

Mary Rose Birth Centre - B5 Postnatal

  • Partners: 10am - 9pm
  • Visitors and siblings: 2pm - 7pm
  • 2 adults at bedside at a time
  • No other children (siblings only)

Maternity Outpatients

(including appointments and scans)

  • 1 person with patient only
  • No children

If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your midwife or the midwife in-charge.

You can still use our virtual visiting services and speak to your friend or family member 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

You can email a personal message any time by emailing messagetolovedones@porthosp.nhs.uk or you can call free phone 0800 917 6039. The team will either take down your message or you can leave a voice mail, but please make sure to leave the patient's name and the ward they are on.

Each working day, PALS will print and laminate the messages received so that these can be kept clean. You can also include photographs with your message. The laminated message will then be delivered to your loved one by a team of helpful volunteers.

If a patient would like to send a reply, our Family Liaison team will be able to arrange this for them.

The volunteers from QA Hospital radio are also here to help you keep in touch.

You can request a song to play on the radio or record a personal message and send it across as an MP3 format. Personal messages are to be sent by 12pm, which will then be played on the radio between 6pm and 7pm.

To contact the team, please email studio@qahospitalradio.com

All patients have access to TV and radio units by their bedside, but more information can be obtained by contacting PALS or speaking to the ward team.

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Queen Alexandra Hospital,
Cosham,
Portsmouth,
PO6 3LY

  • 023 9228 6000

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