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...
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.
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.
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.
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: 05 July 2023
Our staff have been sharing their stories and memories of working for the NHS for our 75th anniversary celebrations.
Select the tabs below to get to know the people who make us #ProudToBePHU
What is your name? Dr Mark Roland
What is your job title? Respiratory Consultant, Deputy Medical Director
Where do you work? Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
When did you start in the NHS? First job after qualification was in August 1990
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? Working in healthcare was a passionate vocation for me from a young age, very much wired into my DNA. I have always worked for the NHS as I’m passionate about the equality of care we strive to offer for all.
Describe what you do in 100 words: At my core I’m a Respiratory Consultant with an interest in lung cancer and end of life care. I enjoy working in ward teams with the challenges and rewards that brings. As Deputy Medical Director I have the privilege of providing clinical support and leadership in a wide variety of domains including Mental Health, Mortality, Infection Prevention and Control, Patient Safety and Clinical Ethics amongst others. This diversity enables me to interact with a wide range of stakeholders, striving to improve the quality and safety of the care we deliver, trying to bring kindness and compassion into our conversations.
What do you enjoy most about your role? The astonishing variety, the intellectual challenges, the humanity, the camaraderie, the privilege of providing care for those most in need, and the experience born ability to bring patience, calm and kindness into some of the most stressful situations. There is never a day that goes by without my learning something new after over 30 years in practice.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in the NHS? There are very few careers that will bring the same breadth of experience, privilege through being able to provide care and support, and immersion in the human experience as working as a health care professional in the NHS. After over 30 years my career remains varied, challenging, educational and rewarding. I could not recommend this exciting journey more highly to others.
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Inspiring.
What is your name? Bev Longhurst
What is your job title? Senior Research Nurse
Where do you work? Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust. Specifically within the Portsmouth Research Hub; a part of the Trust Research team.
When did you start in the NHS? July 1992, when I started my nurse training.
Why did you choose to work in the NHS? Initially – I didn’t give it too much thought, just wanted to be a nurse! Very soon I realised I wanted the opportunity to help others, from diverse backgrounds & situations, in a really varied environment – there are so many departments & specialties to choose from, I knew I’d find something that really suited my skills/personality.
Describe what you do in 100 words: Although I am technically part of the wider research team within the hospital, in 2021 during the COVID pandemic I helped to set up and run a community research hub in the city of Portsmouth, enabling residents to take part in vaccine research without the need to travel to the hospital.
As one of the senior nurses, I lead and work alongside a fantastic team of professionals providing care to trial participants, both on-site and with virtual/phone study follow up. It’s great to have this opportunity to embed clinical research within the community that we serve.
What do you enjoy most about your role? Its great to meet new potential participants & support them through the journey to take part in research projects. My role is a perfect mix of patient contact & supporting/leading my team.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in the NHS? It is a great chance to develop your own skills while providing an essential service to those who need it. You will never be bored!
How would you describe the NHS in one word? Special.
To mark the 75th Anniversary of the NHS, a children’s book has been released containing true stories and experiences of nurses who work all across the country to look after people in their time of need.
‘Dear Nurse’ is a book of the stories of midwives, nurses and healthcare support workers who work in a variety of different settings including hospitals, schools and people’s homes. This provides a wide perspective of the experience of nurses and an insight into what it is like to work as a nurse.
Portsmouth Hospital University NHS Trust’s own Elizabeth Varughese, Senior Registered Mental Health Nurse, participated in the project and her own story is the first in the book. She shares her experience coming alongside a patient in their time of need and the difference it made having an ordinary conversation.
Elizabeth could not believe that her story was chosen to be part of the Dear Nurse project and was even more excited to see it on the shelves of her local bookshop.
“Publishing a book has always been a dream for me and now it has come true! Even if one child is inspired by these stories and chooses to be a nurse in the future, that would be a victory for me personally.”
‘Dear Nurse’ is available now in stores and online and 50p from the sale of each book goes to the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Foundation.
Take a look at the video above to hear from Elizabeth as she explains more about the project and reads her article.
