Queen Alexandra Hospital staff show their thanks as Portsmouth rallies behind frontline NHS heroes
STAFF at Queen Alexandra Hospital have shown their appreciation for the generous support from members of the people of Portsmouth during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kindhearted residents have made hundreds of donations to the Cosham hospital, from food to face masks and financial contributions.
People have been clapping in the streets for NHS staff, and windows across the city have been dedicated to our health care heroes.
The News has also launched the Help Our QA Heroes campaign, to collect essentials for the NHS staff working tirelessly across the city.
Mark Cubbon, chief executive of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs QA Hospital in Cosham – says staff members are incredibly grateful for the support they have been getting during this crisis.
He said: ‘I continue to be overwhelmed by the kindness and support for individuals at QA and for our NHS and care colleagues across Portsmouth and South East Hampshire, particularly at this challenging time.
‘Over the past days and weeks we’ve seen a huge amount of generosity and consideration given to our teams, who are doing their very best for our patients while dealing with increasing pressures.
‘From the hundreds of donations to the Help Our QA Heroes campaign, to donations from local businesses, to the Spinnaker Tower being lit up blue in support of the NHS and care colleagues, the continued kindness shown by our communities is incredible. It is also heartening to hear of so many people taking part in the ‘clap for carers’ tribute to thank NHS and care workers.’
Mr Cubbon added that the staff at QA Hospital are ‘continuing to do their best for patients’ each day, saying there is a great sense of gratitude around the hospital.
Senior sister at QA’s acute medical unit, Rosie Chilvers, added: ‘We’ve always had such great support from the patients and communities that use our services, but the response we have had over the last few weeks has been phenomenal.
‘I know I speak on behalf of my amazing colleagues when I say thank you. The next few weeks and months aren’t going to be easy, but knowing we have everyone including our local paper backing us is really incredible.’