Before you arrive

Coming in to one of our hospitals

If you’re coming to stay in one of our hospitals you may find it useful to know more about:

 

Getting to hospital

Our services are accessible by car and by public transport. If you are getting a lift your driver can drop you off at the main entrances of our hospitals. If you are travelling by public transport, Traveline (0871 200 22 33) will give you information on the best way to get to our hospitals. Alternatively Transport Direct can provide you with a door to door route. 

If you need patient transport to and from the hospital, this can be booked through the Patient Transport Service. In more rural areas this service may be carried out by volunteer ambulance car drivers. To book please call 0191 215 1515.


Car parking

Car parking is available at all hospitals and costs £1.20p per hour, up to a maximum of £4 per day.  There is no charge to park at Rothbury, Sir GB Hunter and Haltwhistle hospitals. 

Most of our hospitals operate a pay and display scheme, apart from North Tyneside, Rothbury, Sir GB Hunter and Haltwhistle hospitals. Please make sure that you bring change with you and leave plenty of time to find a space.

There are free lay-bys at all hospitals for pick ups or drops offs or for those picking up a prescription at the pharmacy.

Disabled Parking

Each hospital site has a number of designated free parking bays reserved for registered disabled drivers displaying a valid blue badge permit.

Concessionary car parking

We offer free car parking in a number of cases for patients or their visitors. This includes those receiving treatment for cancer while patients attending regularly over an extended period and visitors of long-stay patients may also be exempt. Parents of children in hospital will also receive free car parking. Please speak to the ward manager about this. 

Parking penalty fees

Cars not parked in an authorised bay or parked without a ticket or permit may be issued a fixed penalty parking fine and can be charged to a maximum of £30.  

What to bring with you

You are welcome to bring a relative or friend with you to your appointment. It would be helpful if you could bring the following in with you for your appointment:

  • Your appointment letter / card. 
  • Name and address of your GP.
  • Any medication you are taking, including any prescription or over the counter medicines. 
  • Spectacles and any walking/hearing aids
  • A urine sample - this is not always necessary, please check your appointment letter.
  • Some cash for parking or to use in the hospital shop.   
  • Paper and pen as you may find it useful to write down some questions to ask your consultant or the health professional you are seeing.

You are strongly advised not to bring in large amounts of cash, credit cards or any valuables. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for loss of any item.

If you need assistance

Please let us know if you need any extra assistance during your visit.  For instance we can help if you, or someone you know, needs a translator or uses sign language. 

Wheelchairs are provided by the main entrance if needed on your arrival. There is also a buggy service run throughout North Tyneside General Hospital which can take you to the department you require. If possible let us know of any extra help you need before you come in or you can ask a member of staff on arrival for help. 

You can also use an NHS Help Card which lets healthcare staff know what kind of additional help you need. This is a simple card that lets you write on what support you need which you can then show to a member of staff. These are available throughout our hospitals.

Please contact us on 0844 811 8111 for any assistance you need. 

Advocacy services

There may be times when you need help to express your views and concerns or to get things done. An advocate can support you to access information on aspects of your care and treatment and to access health services. They act on your instructions, can accompany you to appointments with health professionals and help you plan and speak up for yourself. 

We don’t provide advocacy services ourselves but we work with local organisations who provide confidential services free of charge: 

In Northumberland, Spiral Skills, are available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. You can contact them on 0191 271 5353, email or visit the Spiral Skills website.

Independent Advocacy North Tyneside can be contacted on 0191 259 6662, by email or visit www.iant.org.uk.


Benefits advice

You may be entitled to certain benefits if you are ill or if you are a carer. You can find more information at:   

For information about local services which can provide advice and support please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) free on 0800 032 0202.

Rearranging your appointment 

If you need to rearrange your appointment, or feel unwell before you are due to come into hospital, please let us know by calling 0844 811 8118 where one of our patient care advisors will be pleased to give you guidance or help you rearrange your appointment.