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: 04 November 2019
NHS RESEARCH IMPROVING TREATMENTS FOR PATIENTS WITH CANCER
Martyn’s Story
Martyn Webb, a 72 year-old former rugby player who still enters and runs half marathons, triathlons, skis and trains young boxers recently spoke to us about his experiences of being part of an important cancer treatment study at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust (PHT).
“When I was first diagnosed with cancer, it’s like you’re entering a world of mystery and fear. I spoke with Dr Ann O’Callaghan and the research nurse who explained the research study to me and gave me all the information I needed. Dr O’Callaghan was very clear about the study and told me that they would be following my progress to see how my body was responding to the drugs. I thought immediately that if it could be of help and if I could be of help to other people then of course I would enrol.”
The Research Study
The study, sponsored by Roche Products Ltd looked to compare GA101 plus Chemotherapy with Ritiximab plus Chemotherapy in the treatment of Advanced Indolent Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
This type of lymphoma is difficult to cure completely and it is uncommon for Advanced Indolent Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma to go into remission and stay in remission. Scientist and Doctors have been seeking to improve standard treatment and they wanted to find treatments that meant more people go into remission, and make that remission last longer. This important clinical study was part of that process.
When asked whether he was initially anxious about getting involved in the research, Martyn replied: “No, not at all. I assumed I was getting involved and giving my time to an organisation that is doing research, a team that is very well organised, a top notch team”.
During the study, Martyn had to undergo an initial screening period of four weeks, followed by the treatment phase itself that lasted twenty-four weeks, a period of maintenance or observation lasting up to a further two years and finally, the phase that Martyn is currently in, the follow-up period, lasting up to five years.
Martyn’s Feedback
Martyn, and his family were happy with his involvement in the research: “My wife was very keen as it meant they were keeping a very good eye on me as part of the research project…but I also knew that it might be helping other people in the future.”
“I would get telephone calls from the team and I could always get advice and help if I had any problems…the research and the treatment itself were first class, the department was always full, always busy and although at times the treatment can be frustrating and demoralising, no matter what mood you were in they took their time with you, they were always nice and pleasant. The research nurses are remarkably keen, they are all very friendly and you feel that you are part of a large family; I think they are doing a remarkable job.
“Dr Ann O’Callaghan is a remarkable oncologists, she deals with all these various people with all these various cancers, she is so reassuring throughout. They are a first class organisation, very thorough, very professional and like I keep saying, you feel you’re in safe hands.
“I am still training almost every day, I also help to train and coach a group of boxers and I have just recently completed the Stubbington 10K in a respectable time. My next event is the Leeds Castle Triathlon in June but I hope to sneak in another before that. I'm off skiing next month…I tell you......it’s good to be alive!”
If you are interested in taking part in a PHT clinical trial, you can get involved by asking your doctor about clinical research and whether it would be a good thing for you. You can find out more at http://portsmouthtechnologiestrialsunit.org.uk or you can contact research.office@porthosp.nhs.uk.
