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: 27 May 2021
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 during the COVID-19 pandemic to support visiting during these exceptional circumstances. Having now reviewed our visiting policy, from 23 April we are able to allow visiting in a careful and COVID secure way, in line with national guidelines.
Avoiding unnecessary contact remains important, so where possible we would encourage you to continue using 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.
From 23 April 2021, patients will be able to see one designated family member or friend for one hour per day and will need to be booked in advance, directly with the ward.
In the case of exceptional circumstances or compassionate grounds, we will continue supporting additional visiting at the ward manager’s discretion. Examples of these include:
Anyone with a COVID-19 positive test, showing symptoms of coronavirus (a new continuous cough, a high temperature or a loss of, or change in their normal sense of smell or taste), or under instruction to self-isolate must not visit.
All visitors should observe good hand hygiene (handwashing) and wear appropriate PPE such as a surgical face mask, which will be provided on entry to the hospital.
Children inpatient visiting (including NICU and Paediatrics Unit)
Our youngest patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Paediatrics Unit can be visited by both parents or guardians with no time restrictions. Parents and guardians must always wear a mask or face covering while visiting, and if going into a high-risk area or to visit a patient with suspected/known COVID-19, will need to wear a surgical mask. Unfortunately, no siblings are currently able to visit.
Women attending prenatal scans and appointments can be accompanied by one partner/support person who must wear a face mask or face covering and are encouraged to carry out regular lateral flow tests.
Women can be accompanied by their partner when they attend the hospital for delivery or if you are in labour. Once you are in established labour, a second nominated birthing partner will be allowed to accompany you. Following delivery, partners can remain in the room/ward for three hours. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow partners to remain overnight unless the woman is in labour or in exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the nurse in-charge/ward manager.
If you are having an elective caesarean your partner can join you on the ward from 7am on the morning of your surgery. Your partner may attend theatre with you if appropriate and stay with you once your baby is born and after you are moved into the recovery area. As above, they can return to the ward with you for three hours or return for a visiting slot later in the day.
If women stay in after delivery, they are able to nominate one person who can visit them for one of two time slots each day: 12.30pm to 3.30pm and 4pm to 7pm. Visitors are required to wear a face mask on the ward including individuals who would usually be exempt. Unfortunately, no siblings are currently able to visit.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your midwife or the nurse in-charge.
On arrival at the Emergency Department, the triage nurse will discuss with you whether it is appropriate for you to be accompanied by one person. If it is felt appropriate for them to come in with you, all visitors will need to wear a surgical mask. If they are showing flu like symptoms or are suspected to have COVID-19, your visitor will not be able to accompany you. When attending an outpatients or diagnostic appointment such as scanning, patients may be accompanied by one close family member or loved one to support them with any complex or difficult decision making. The person accompanying you must wear a surgical mask in all areas. If they are showing flu like symptoms or are suspected to have COVID-19, your visitor will not be able to accompany you.
