Wansbeck General Hospital
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.
- General Information
It is a district general hospital with an urgent care centre (open 8am to 10pm seven days a week), full range of diagnostic testing, 12 wards and outpatient clinics covering a range of specialties.
The car park is located close to the south entrance opposite the community garden.
- Directions and Transport
Wansbeck General Hospital is situated just off the A197, on the outskirts of Ashington.
By road
From the A189 Spine Road. Exit the Woodhorn Roundabout signposted Ashington. At the next Roundabout take the first exit, continue along pass Barley Rise and you will arrive at the Hospital.
By bus
For up to date bus information, please use the Traveline service
By rail
There is no train station at Ashington. The closest mainline station is Morpeth, which is six miles away. Check The Trainline for timetables of all services.
Dedicated car service
If you are a relative visiting from Berwick, we have a dedicated free daily car service to and from Wansbeck General Hospital which arrives for visiting times. To book call 01289 356664 or 07774 788627.
- Parking
The car park is located close to the south entrance opposite the community garden.
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 or for those picking up a prescription at the pharmacy (maximum stay 20 minutes).
Disabled parking
There are a number of designated free parking bays reserved for disabled drivers displaying a valid blue badge permit.
Concessionary car parking
We 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
Cafés and restaurants
The hospital has a coffee shop at the main entrance run by our Hospital Volunteer Service.
There is a restaurant upstairs where you get hot and cold food and refreshments and another coffee shop, cafe central by the south entrance near to maternity.
Opening times are as follows:
Restaurant
- Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
- Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm
Main entrance cafe/shop
- Monday to Friday 9am-7pm
- Saturday and Sunday 12midday-4pm
Café central
- Monday to Friday 8am-4pm
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available in this hospital – just choose NHS Wi-Fi on your smart device and follow the registration process to gain access.
- Internal Map
Download our internal map here: Map Download
Wards
- Bone & Joint Infection Unit
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Contact Number
01670 564196
Location
Ward 11 B
- Endoscopy
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Contact Number
01670 52 9113
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Ward 1
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Ward Type
Cardiology
Visiting Times
Between 10am and 7pm - one nominated person and must be pre-booked, with evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival
Contact Number
01670 529051
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Ward 2
-
Ward Type
Respiratory and Haematology
Visiting Times
Between 10am and 7pm - one nominated person and must be pre-booked, with evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival
Contact Number
01670 52 9102
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Ward 4
-
Ward Type
Ortho-geriatric ward
Visiting Times
Between 10am and 7pm - one nominated person and must be pre-booked.
Contact Number
01670 529004 / 01670 529104
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Ward 8 Whalton Unit
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Ward Type
Elderly rehabilitation
Visiting Times
Between 10am and 7pm - one nominated person and must be pre-booked, with evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival
Contact Number
01670 52 9105
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Ward 9
-
Ward Type
Stroke ward
Visiting Times
Between 10am and 7pm - one nominated person and must be pre-booked, with evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival
Contact Number
01670 529109
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Ward 15
-
Ward Type
Surgical Day Unit
Contact Number
01670 564167
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Medical Day Case Unit
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Ward Type
Outpatient
Contact Number
01670 529945 or 01670 529293
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Oncology Day Unit
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Ward Type
Oncology day unit
Contact Number
01670 529651
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Elective Orthopaedic Unit
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Ward Type
Ward 10/11a/11b
Visiting Times
COVID light ward - no visiting
Contact Number
01670 529107
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Outpatients Department
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Ward Type
Outpatients
Contact Number
0344 811 8111 extension 6291
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Palliative care unit
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Ward Type
Palliative care
Visiting Times
Between 10am and 7pm - 1 nominated visitor and must be pre-booked, with evidence of a negative lateral flow test on arrival
Contact Number
Ward clerk - 01670 529960
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- Urgent Treatment Centre
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Ward Type
Walk-in for urgent treatment - open 8am to 10pm.
Contact Number
01670 529 565
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
- X-ray
-
Visiting Times
Currently suspended
Location
Wansbeck General Hospital
