As a visitor you have an important role to play in a patient’s recovery and here you can find information that you may find useful for your visit and also how you can help patients during your visit.  

All hospitals can be reached by car or by public transport and if you’re visiting from outside the area we can provide local accommodation details.  (Links open in a new window)

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. Please make sure that you bring change with you and leave plenty of time to find a space.

Helping with mealtimes 

Nutrition plays an important part in patient care and our wards have protected mealtimes to ensure patients are not interrupted during their meal. Visitors are generally not allowed during this time, however if a patient needs help with their meal we do encourage relatives or carers to come in and help out if they wish. Please talk to the ward staff.

Flowers

We do ask that visitors don’t bring flowers into the hospitals.  Although flowers look lovely they do collect dust and can harbour germs in the water and soil. We need to ensure we can keep the wards as clean as possible.

Children

Children are welcome to visit patients on most wards if accompanied by a responsible adult. However please speak to ward staff before bringing very young children in.  

Catering facilities

North Tyneside, Hexham and Wansbeck general hospitals all have shops run by our Hospital Volunteer Service. 

Most of our hospitals also have restaurants where you get hot and cold food and refreshments. Opening times are as follows:

North Tyneside General Hospital 

• Monday to Sunday 8am to 5pm

Wansbeck General Hospital  

Restaurant

• Monday to Friday 7.30am to 6pm
• Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6pm
• Please note the restaurant closes every day at 2pm for approximately 20 minutes to cash up.

Café central

• Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm

Hexham General Hospital  

• Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
• Saturday & Sunday 9am to 4pm 

Blyth Community Hospital and Berwick infirmary

These community hospitals sell food and drinks at the following times:

• 10am-11am – pre-ordered hot sandwiches 
• Midday-1.30pm – lunches including main courses, sandwiches and salads
• 3pm-4pm – hot and cold drinks with pre-ordered hot food available

Please note that Blyth Community Hospital’s restaurant closes in between these times but a cold drinks machine is available in reception. 

Alnwick Infimary 

The hospital has a dining room for visitors serving hot lunches between 12 -1.30,  tea, coffee and snacks. There are also vending machines outside of hours

Infection control

The infection control team and all staff are responsible for helping reduce and prevent the spread of infections, but everyone can help including visitors.  

Please help us and our vulnerable patients by following our simple advice:

• Wash your hands and use alcohol gel before entering and leaving the ward 
• Do not sit on patients’ beds 
• Do not use patient toilets 
• Do not visit if you are unwell or have an infection, for example a heavy cold or diarrhoea