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: 06 December 2021
After retiring from the Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust in June 2021 as a radiographer, Kate Hedger felt a desire to continue do her bit to support the pandemic response and help protect people against COVID-19.
The 62-year-old from Fareham joined the Cov-Boost trial at the Portsmouth Research Hub, and received a third ‘booster’ dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
More than 2,800 participants took part in the trial, led by University Hospital Southampton, across the UK and attended regular follow-up appointments to help researchers understand the longevity of the immune response and the degree of protection given.
Kate said: “As a healthcare professional I had my COVID-19 vaccinations quite early on so I thought I might be eligible to take part.
“I found out about the study from my local news programme. I’m fit and healthy and I knew I was going to have more time on my hands.
“It was nice to be given the opportunity to take part in the trial and I feel so proud of it all being local to me.”
Kate’s first trial visit was a memorable one for a number of reasons.
She explained: “I retired on the 1 June, the day before I came for my first trial visit, so it's a date I’ll never forget.
“My son and his partner had my first grandchild, a little boy called Robert, the day I joined the trial. I remember going to the trial feeling very, very excited.”
The trial published its results in December 2021 and showed that six COVID-19 vaccines, were safe and boosted immunity for people who have had two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech.
Kate said: “Before the trial started, the staff explained everything.
“They would explain things 100 times over if you wanted which was really nice and I was never left on my own doubting something or worrying.
“It sounds really cliche to say but I wanted to do my bit, I wanted the trial to be a success. “I didn’t want to retire and have no knowledge of what’s going on and I felt that being a part of this trial helped with this.”
She said: “Participating in research comes with a sort of a feel-good factor, it feels like you're doing your bit and I would really encourage other people to do the same.
“It was fantastic to have such lovely staff who make you feel at ease and as if you’re part of something and it was nice to feel part of something really important. It’s been a very positive experience.”
Kate added: “I’m so proud to have been a part of the COV-Boost trial and the fact that the results are of such importance internationally is just fantastic.”
If you would like to get involved in research, PHU has a dedicated team who will be delighted to help with enquiries.
Please email: research.office@porthosp.nhs.uk
