Unsung heroes at Queen Alexandra Hospital get praise for dedication during coronavirus outbreak

That is how the cleaners, porters, security, food service staff and a host of other non-clinical teams feel at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham as bosses thank them for their hard work during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark Orchard, chief financial officer at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust which runs the hospital, praised the teams for ‘working exceptionally hard’.

Helen Bichard, who has worked in the Patient Food Service since 1991, said: ‘On the wards we are a team. Everyone gets on with each other no matter what job you do and everyone is an important part.

‘We make sure all the patients get their right food and drinks so they are hydrated which is important when getting better.’

The 57-year-old from Paulsgrove, who previously tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, added: ‘During the pandemic everyone has been great and the patients have been so thankful and lovely.’

Cleaner Leanne Hughes said: ‘I have worked at the hospital for more than 20 years and we have always seen our jobs as important because we have to keep the hospital clean which is vital at any time but especially during the pandemic.’

The 52-year-old from Wymering added: ‘I think staff have pulled together even more so we can get through it all and it has been nice that the public clapped for us as well.’

Sixty-four-year-old porter Michael Day, who has been with the trust since 1976, added: ‘When Covid-19 first started I was scared as I didn’t know what to expect but everyone in the hospital worked together and supported each other which has been great.’

SEE ALSO: Devoted son ensures mum's memory lives on by registering The Karen Ingram Foundation as a charity

Mark Orchard, chief financial officer for the PHU, said: ‘Keeping the organisation running day to day is a complex operation and requires everyone to do their bit. People often see nurses and doctors as the face of the NHS but we are much more diverse than that.

‘The roles of porters, housekeeping staff, catering teams, cleaners, receptionists and many more are often unseen, but their contribution is vital to enable clinical teams to do what they do best.

‘Since the start of the pandemic our teams have been working exceptionally hard and we couldn’t run the hospital without them.’

Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news in Portsmouth with our Coronavirus Updates Facebook group.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Thank you for reading this story. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on our advertisers and thus our revenues.

The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.

Every subscription helps us continue providing trusted, local journalism and campaign on your behalf for our city.