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: 01 April 2021
Earlier in the year we made the difficult decision to suspend visiting at Queen Alexandra Hospital (QA) except in exceptional circumstances, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. These exceptional circumstances include visiting a relative who has dementia, patients receiving end of life care, patients who require a guardian or carer, or parents accompanying a child. Where appropriate, these will be discussed with you on an individual basis by the ward manager or nurse in-charge where your relative is staying. All visitors and outpatients will need to continue wearing a face covering or mask. For more information on this, please click here.
Maternity services and paediatrics visiting arrangements remain as below.
We are doing all we can to keep you, your babies and our staff safe so have introduced some guidance around visiting for maternity. Women attending prenatal scans can be accompanied by one partner/support person who must be wearing a face mask or face covering. Apart from in exceptional circumstances, we are unable to currently allow partners to accompany during consultant appointments.
Women can be accompanied by their partner when they attend the hospital for delivery or if you think you are in labour. Following delivery, partners can remain for three hours. Unfortunately, we are unable to allow partners to remain overnight unless the woman is labouring or in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the nurse in-charge/ward manager.
If you are having an elective LSCS your partner is able to 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 you are moved into the recovery area. As above, they are able to 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, we will ask them to nominate two people that will be able to visit. Only one person can visit each day, for one of two time slots: 12.30pm to 3.30pm and 4pm to 7pm, which must be requested in advance. Visitors are required to wear a face mask on the ward and this includes individuals who would usually be exempt.
If you have any questions or concerns, please speak to your midwife or the nurse in-charge.
Messages for loved ones
Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) can help pass on personal messages from family and friends to loved ones staying in hospital.
You can send your messages either by:
PALS will then print and laminate the messages so that they can be kept clean and delivered to your loved one. If patients would like to send a reply, our Family Liaison Officers will let PALS know so that they can pass this on.
Video calling
We now have a number of iPads that have been delivered to the wards, so we can arrange for you to have an online chat with your loved one. You can find out more about this service by contacting PALS or asking the ward team. We also have public wi-fi that inpatients and visitors can use on their own devices.
Bag drop off and collection point
If you would like us to pass on essential items to your relative, these can be brought to the drop-off station located just inside the main entrance of QA Hospital. Volunteers will label the belongings and ensure they reach the right person. If you are in touch with your relative you can also arrange to pick something up from them via the drop-off station, which is open Monday to Friday from 2pm to 8pm and Saturday to Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
Messages on QA Hospital Radio
Family and friends can send in messages for their loved ones in hospital and request a song to be dedicated to them. Just send in your message by 12pm each day to studio@qahospitalradio.com. All messages received will be broadcast on QA Hospital Radio between 6pm and 7pm.
