Before you arrive, you may have some questions about:

For information on getting to our hospitals, by public transport or by car, please visit the page of the hospital you are coming to.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)

You may be able to claim a refund of some travel costs under this scheme. For more information visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/healthcosts/pages/travelcosts.aspx

If you feel more comfortable bringing a relative or friend with you to your appointment you’re welcome to. It would be helpful for you, and for us, 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
  • 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
  • A urine sample – this is not always necessary, please check your appointment letter
  • Some cash for parking or to use in the hospital shop
  • Please don’t bring large amounts of cash, credit cards or any valuables. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for loss of any item

Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to rearrange your appointment, or feel unwell before you are due to come into hospital.

Call us on 0344 811 8118 and one of our patient care advisors will give you guidance or help you rearrange your appointment.

If you need any extra assistance during your visit please let us know. For example if you, or someone you know, needs a translator or uses sign language, or requires information in large print.

If you need extra help getting about, we have wheelchairs by the main entrances of general hospitals. There is also a buggy service at North Tyneside General Hospital which can take you to the ward or department you need to get to.

It would be helpful if you could let us know of any extra help you need before you come in, or you can ask a member of staff for help on arrival. You can contact us on 0344 811 8111

We understand that there may be times when you need help to express your views and concerns or to get things done. An advocate is someone who 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 work with local organisations who provide confidential advocacy services free of charge:

Independent Complaints Advocacy Northumberland (ICAN)

Independent Advocacy North Tyneside

You may be entitled to certain benefits if you are ill or if you are a carer. For information about local services which can provide advice and support please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) free on 0800 032 0202.

You can also find more information from these organisations:

We want to provide a safe environment that promotes health and reduces harm from exposure to second hand smoke. All of our sites ,which includes buildings and grounds, are now completely smokefree and we have removed designated smoking areas.

We recognise that smoking is personal choice and we do not discriminate against those who choose to do so. However we ask that you help us keep our buildings and grounds smokefree to protect others. We know that many people are giving up smoking by switching to E cigarettes which are less harmful than smoking tobacco and don’t expose others to second hand smoke. The use of e-cigarettes therefore is permitted on our grounds.

If you would like support to quit smoking, please visit our dedicated stop smoking section.

 

Patients and visitors