Alnwick Infirmary
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, for the safety of our patients and staff, visiting our hospitals is still being restricted. We are sorry to have to continue to do this but this hopefully helps your loved one and other patients feel safe in our care.
We understand visiting is important so have arrangements in place to allow controlled visiting on our wards and departments.
There are a limited number of hourly slots for visitors on all general adult wards between 10am and 7pm, which must be pre-booked in advance. Each patient is now allowed two nominated visitors, who can visit on separate occasions or together if more convenient.
These people are not interchangeable. We need all visitors to keep to their hour to maintain social distancing and give all patients the opportunity to have their nominated people visit.
Surgical wards must remain ‘Covid-light’, so visiting will remain restricted. However, for patients who have been in hospital for 72 hours or more, one nominated visitor will be permitted to book a slot. Those wishing to visit should check arrangements with the ward.
In addition to this, when visiting you are reminded to expect:
- to wash your hands at the hospital entrance and wear a mask when you enter the hospital
- to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and observe social distancing
- you should not visit if you feel unwell, have been asked to self-isolate, or believe you may have been in contact with someone who has Covid-19
This visitors’ guidance does not apply for patients at the end of life, maternity, the children’s ward and SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit).
For more information on maternity visiting, see here.
Visiting times should be: Between 10am and 7pm for two nominated people for one hour which must be pre-booked
Covid-light wards are: Northumbria Hospital ward 15, North Tyneside General Hospital wards 7 and 8, Wansbeck General Hospital wards 10 and 11 and Hexham General Hospital ward 3.
Minor Injuries Unit reduced access
Due to ongoing pressures on the service due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have had to redeploy staff and reduce times and temporarily close the Minor Injuries Unit.
Friday, 15 April: 7.45am – 3pm
Saturday, 16 April: 7.45am – 3pm
Sunday, 17 April: Closed
Monday: Normal opening times – 7.45am – 8.45pm
Outside of these times, please dial 111 or visit NHS 111 online to be directed to the most appropriate service.
In an emergency, please dial 999 for an emergency ambulance.
Thank you for your understanding.
- General Information
The hospital has a minor injuries unit (please note this is currently open 8am-5pm), maternity and oncology units, diagnostics including x-ray, endoscopy and ultrasound, theatres and day surgery as well as an extensive range of outpatient clinics.
Ward 1 provides specialist rehabilitation and support for inpatients. The multi-disciplinary ward team cares for patients who may be recovering from an illness, operation, often following a spell in another hospital, and help them to recover, get back on their feet and gain confidence. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists work with the nursing team to provide all the support patients need to help them on the road to recovery.
Please note: Ward 1 is currently closed to allow urgent building work to take place. Patients are being cared for at Wansbeck General Hospital while the works take place, but outpatient appointments and other services are continuing as normal.
The works are required to help ensure the building is properly ventilated, has en-suite facilities and areas that can be used to better manage the pandemic, following a review by infection prevention control experts who recommended some urgent changes. The work is expected to be completed by late spring and will also see improvements take place to outpatient facilities.
For women expecting to have an uncomplicated delivery, there is a midwifery-led service at (Hillcrest Maternity Unit) which provides one-to-one personal care and support, in a relaxed and friendly birthing environment. The unit is staffed by a highly-skilled team of experienced midwives and healthcare assistants 24 hours a day, and has a birthing pool which gives women the option of having a water birth or using the pool during labour.
There is a state-of-the-art oncology unit meaning patients no longer have to travel out of the area to receive chemotherapy and supportive treatment. The purpose-built unit is based in the former Coquet Ward and the area has undergone a £100,000 refurbishment to include the latest equipment and the best facilities for patients.
- Directions and Transport
Alnwick Infirmary is located on the outskirts of the town of Alnwick, Northumberland.
By road
From the north: From the A1 take the second exit for Alnwick. At the first roundabout turn right, then turn left at second roundabout. Continue for about 400 metres with the hospital on the right. From the south: From the A1 take the first exit for Alnwick. At the first roundabout go straight on, then turn left at second roundabout. Continue for about 400 metres with the hospital on the right.
By bus
For up to date bus information, please use the Traveline service
By rail
Closest railway station is Alnmouth (for Alnwick) Station. Check The Trainline for timetables of all services.
- Parking
Charges
- 0-20mins = Free*
- 20mins-1 hour = £2
- 1-2 hours = £3
- 2-3 hours = £4
- 3-4 hours = £5
- 24 hours = £6
As it is pay and display, please make sure that you bring change with you and leave plenty of time to find a space.
There are free lay-bys for pick-ups or drops offs (maximum stay 20 minutes)
Disabled Parking
There are designated free parking bays reserved for disabled drivers displaying a valid blue badge permit. These are situated at the main entrance.
Concessionary car parkingWe offer free car parking under certain circumstances for patients or their visitors. This includes those patients attending regularly over an extended period, visitors of long-stay patients and those who are staying in the hospital with patients. This list is not exhaustive and exemptions are issued by the ward or department manager – please speak to them if you think you may qualify.
Electric vehicle charging
This hospital has an electric vehicle charging point which is free to use for patients and visitors.
Car parking violations
Please note that failure to park in a designated bay or failure to pay for parking may result in you being issued with a civil penalty or infringement notice.
- Facilities
Restaurant
The hospital has a dining room for visitors serving breakfast and cold food from 9am and hot lunches between 12 -1.30pm, tea, coffee and snacks. There are also vending machines outside of hours.
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas of this hospital – just choose NHS Wi-Fi on your smart device and follow the registration process to gain access.
Chaplaincy
Chaplains of various denominations visit the hospital regularly and will see any patient on request. If you wish to see a Chaplain at any time, please advise the nursing staff and they will arrange this.
Miscellaneous
A League of Friends shop and trolley service is available on certain days.
A hairdresser visits the hospital weekly and if you wish to enquire further about this, please speak with one of the ward staff.
- Internal Map
Download our internal map here: Map Download
Wards
- Ward 1
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Ward Type
Stroke / Orthopaedic rehabilitation with palliative care
Visiting Times
Visiting temporarily suspended
Contact Number
01665 626769
Location
Alnwick Infirmary
- Theatre/Day Surgery Unit Alnwick Infirmary
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Ward Type
Theatre / day surgery
Visiting Times
When patients are admitted for day case surgery there are no facilities for visitors to stay on the unit. Relatives bringing patients in will be given an approximate time the patients can go home and a contact number to call.
Contact Number
01665 626791
Location
Alnwick Infirmary
- Hillcrest Maternity Unit
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Ward Type
Midwifery-led maternity unit - as an interim measure we have introduced an overnight on call system, see our maternity section for more info
Visiting Times
2-3pm and 6:30-7:30pm. Outside of these hours visiting is restricted to birthing partners only
Contact Number
01665 626732
Location
Alnwick Infirmary
- Minor Injuries Unit
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Ward Type
Minor Injuries Unit
Visiting Times
7.45am to 8.45pm
Contact Number
0344 811 8111
Location
Alnwick Infirmary
- Outpatients Department
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Ward Type
Outpatient department
Contact Number
01665 626742
Location
Alnwick Infirmary
- X-ray
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Visiting Times
Monday-Friday, 9am – 5pm, weekends and bank holidays, 9am-2pm
Location
Alnwick Infirmary