Leaflet 5 - Health

Gateshead Health NHS Trust
Provides free emergency treatment and in-patient and out-patient health care in hospital. Except in the case of emergencies, hospital treatment is arranged through the GP by a referral. Appointments and treatment are free of charge.

A number of leaflets about the services provided can be obtained by contacting Gateshead Health NHS Trust. (See Section 13 - Caring contacts for the full address).
Tel 0191 482 0000 Fax 0191 482 6001

Gateshead NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT)
Gateshead PCT is part of the NHS and is the organisation responsible for planning and funding local health services to improve the health of the residents of Gateshead.

The PCT is responsible for providing other health services (hospitals, dentists, patient transport, screening, pharmacies and opticians).

Eventually the PCT will control the majority of the NHS budget so that decisions about local services are made at a local level.
Tel 0191 491 5713
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Northumberland and Tyne and Wear Strategic Health Authority
Responsible for making sure that national priorities are included in local plans for health care. Provide a link between the Department of Health and the NHS.
Tel 0191 256 3100
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

South of Tyne and Wearside NHS Mental Health Trust
Responsible for the development and delivery of mental health services in the area.

Headquarters - Wellfield Mews, South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust, Cherry Knowle Hospital, Ryhope, Sunderland. SL2 0NB
Tel 0191 565 6256

Gateshead locality - South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust, Tranwell Unit, Windy Nook Road, Gateshead. NE10 9RW
Tel 0191 403 6297

Audiology (Hearing) Service

• Provides and maintains hearing aids free of charge
  
• Batteries can be obtained from most health centres, some residential homes, by post and from many wardens of sheltered accommodation
  
• A minor repairs service and advice can also be obtained from Hearing Concern

Tel 0191 478 8317

Initial access to audiology services is through GP's, who will ask the Ear, Nose and Throat specialist to examine and treat the patient.

Audiology offers an 'open house' session at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (2.30pm - 4.30pm Mon - Fri). Anyone who has an NHS hearing aid can attend for batteries, repairs or advice regardless of where they first obtained the hearing aid.

For more information, contact

Hearing (Audiology) Clinic, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead NE9 6SX
Tel 0191 445 2531 Fax 0191 445 2030

Colorectal and Stomacare Service

• The Colorectal Nurse is a Registered Nurse who has specialist training in the management and support of patients who are diagnosed with bowel cancer. Support, advice and information can be given before and after operations

Referrals are accepted from any health care professional.
For further information, contact

Colorectal Office, Level 3 Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead NE9 6SX
Tel 0191 445 2788

• There are two Stomatherapists, both Registered Nurses, who have had specialist training in the management and support of patients with a stoma and their family, both before and after operations
  
• Provides advice and information on the management of stoma and fistula care to patients, health professionals, relatives and carers

Referrals are accepted from any source, including patients and carers, by contacting the Stoma Clinic at the address below. There is a Stoma Clinic on a Wednesday (11am - 3pm) for anyone who needs information or care. There is an appointment system but anyone needing urgent care will be seen.

For further information, contact

Stomatherapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead NE9 6SX
Tel 0191 445 2221
(8.30am - 5.00pm Monday - Friday)

Continence Advisory Service
Help and advice for people with continence problems, and their carers. The service is available to all ages, whether at home or in hospital.

The service covers:

• Individual assessment, advice and information to sufferers, parents and carers
  
• Information on aids/appliances and how to acquire samples
  
• Provide aids, appliances and pads, following a nursing assessment

This service is provided at health centres, clinics and patients' homes. Referrals are accepted from GP's, health professionals and patients.

For further confidential information and details of continence clinics, contact the

Continence Advisor, Whickham Cottage Medical Centre, Rectory Lane, Whickham, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE16 4PD
Tel 0191 488 6777 or 0191 495 6014 or 0191 495 6015
Fax 0191 488 5355

Dental Service
Gateshead Health NHS Trust runs a Community Dental Service for people who are unable, or find it difficult, to get treatment from general dental services.

The Community Dental Service can work with people with a physical disability or learning difficulty, older people, people with certain medical conditions and people who are dental phobic.

• Advice can be offered to carers
  
• The service can be used by both children and adults and is free of charge
  
• There is no out of hours emergency service
  
• The service is available at a number of clinics, but home visits may be arranged

Contact the GP, District Nurse or Social Worker of the person you care for, or contact the service directly at

Dental Services Manager, Dental Services Headquarters, Birtley Clinic, Hexham Villa, Egton Terrace, Birtley. DH3 1LX
Tel 0191 492 3847 Fax 0191 492 3848
A list of local dental practices that provide NHS treatment is available from Contract Services Agency
Tel 0191 219 6200.

For emergency dental treatment contact the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)
Tel 0191 232 5131

To find out if you or the person you care for, are entitled to free or reduced cost treatment, complete form HC1, available from dental surgeries or post offices.

Gateshead Equipment Service
A wide range of aids are available for the benefit of individuals in the community, including equipment to help people to go to the toilet, walk or be moved e.g. commodes, walking frames and transfer boards.

Requests for equipment must come from a health professional. Ask the person's GP, District Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist for more information.

NHS Direct
A 24-hour, confidential helpline which offers health advice and information. If you have a health concern and are not sure what to do or you need some health information, the qualified nurses and trained health information advisors provide helpful, friendly and confidential advice on issues such as:

• What to do if you're feeling ill (if your problem is serious, they can arrange an ambulance)
  
• Health concerns for you and your family
  
• Information about conditions, treatments and medications
  
• Self-help and support organisations
  
• Local health and social care services
  
• Late night pharmacies and out of hours dentists
  
• Benefits and rights of patients

Calls are charged at local rates. As with 999 calls, all calls are recorded for the sake of the patients' safety.

If English is not your preferred language, NHS Direct has access to a confidential translation service.

Tel NHS Direct 0845 46 47
Minicom 0845 606 4647

Occupational Therapy Service

• Uses activities to assess, improve and maintain a person's ability to carry out everyday tasks
  
• Advises on aids, equipment and home alterations
  
• Teaches carers to safely lift and move the person they care for
  
• Assess and work with people with a learning disability and people with physical or mental ill health

Referrals can come from GPs, consultants, carers and other health care professionals.

Contact Occupational Therapy, Bensham Hospital, Saltwell Road, Gateshead. NE8 4YL
Tel 0191 445 5226
Fax 0191 403 5181

Physiotherapy Service

• Provides treatment for, and advice about, relieving pain and maintaining or restoring mobility for anyone whose movement is restricted

This free service is available to adults and children.

Referrals must come from the patient's GP or consultant.

Podiatry Service

• Assess, educate and treat individuals to relieve and cure foot related disorders
  
• The Department will see people of pension age, anyone with a physical or learning disability, expectant mothers and school children, with identified problems
  
• Anyone with diabetes or suffering from a long term disease or condition may also be seen
  
• Carers will also be treated if they fall into one of the above categories. Where possible, both appointments will be at the same clinic

The service is provided free of charge. Housebound people may be visited at home, but the referral for this must come from the GP. Patients aged over 65 can refer themselves to the service by calling the number below. Patients under 65 must be referred by their GP.

Contact Podiatry Department, Dunston Hill Hospital, Whickham Highway, Gateshead. NE11 9QT
Tel 0191 445 6492 or 0191 445 6424

Speech and Language Service

• Assess, diagnose and treat anyone with a communication and/or eating, drinking or swallowing problem
  
• The person you care for will be seen by a speech and language therapist. They will discuss needs and support with you and the person you care for
  
• Any training needs will be explored

The service is free, contact the service through the GP, Health Visitor or District Nurse or contact the service direct at

Speech and Language Department, Bensham Hospital, Saltwell Road, Gateshead NE8 4YL
Tel 0191 445 6667
Fax 0191 403 6650

Wheelchair Service

• The service provides permanent manual wheelchairs for people needing them for more than six months
  
• All permanent users have access to the free approved repair service

Referrals are needed from health professionals. Ask the person's GP, District Nurse, Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist for more information.

Children and Young People with a Disability

The Children with Disabilities Team
Produce a comprehensive Resource Pack specifically for parents and carers of children and young people with disabilities. It covers health, education, Community Based Services help, leisure, benefits, support groups, travel, holidays and transition. People get the Resource Pack when they register with the Network of Children with Disabilities. For details,
Contact Network of Children with Disabilities
0191 433 2480

If you want to read the Resource Pack but do not wish to join the Register, there is a reference copy with Gateshead Carers Association.

The Children with Disabilities Team operate a duty system. If you or your child need support or services:

Contact 0191 433 2481 (1.30pm - 5.00pm Monday to Thursday, or 1.30 - 4.30 Friday)

Contact a Family
Support families who care for a child with a disability or special need, including specific conditions and rare disorders. Provide a wide range of local and national information and run workshops for parents and grandparents.

Contact Tel 0191 213 6300
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Drug and Alcohol Problems
Gateshead Drug & Alcohol Team (Twenty Four 7)
Qualified nurses and Social Workers assess and support people over the age of 13 who have drug and alcohol problems. Anyone can make a referral to the team but the patient must understand the treatment and give their consent.

Contact Twenty Four 7, Gateshead Drug and Alcohol Team, Grassbanks Sector Base, Grassbanks, Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead. NE10 8DX
Tel 0191 443 6880

North East Council on Addictions (NECA)
Support anyone experiencing problems with drugs, alcohol or gambling, and their family members and friends. They offer an information and advice service as well as counselling and a carers support group.

Contact North East Council on Addictions
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Carers Against Substance Abuse (CASA) Forum
Support and involve carers of people who misuse drugs or alcohol.

Contact Gateshead Carers Association
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Alcoholics Anonymous
Can give help to anyone affected by drink related problems. Can put carers, relatives and friends in touch with local support groups.
Contact Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel 0845 7697 555 or 0191 521 4400

National Drugs Helpline
Offers advice and information to anyone affected by drug abuse. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day.
Contact National Drugs Helpline
Tel 0800 77 66 00

Escape
Operate a 24 hour helpline giving advice and support to substance misusers, their friends and family members.
Contact Escape
Tel 01670 544 055
Fax 01670 369 492

HIV/AIDS
Body Positive North East
Provide practical, emotional and physical support to people who are HIV positive or have AIDS, and their carers. They can provide information, advice, advocacy and a range of practical services.
Contact Body Positive North East
Tel 0191 232 2855

North East AIDS Care
Provide social, emotional and practical support to anyone who is HIV positive.
Contact North East AIDS Care
Tel 0191 281 5200

HIV/AIDS Counsellor
The service is provided by a qualified nurse and health visitor with specialist counselling skills. They offer advice, counselling and information and training around HIV and AIDS.
Contact HIV & Hep B Specialist Nurse, HIV & Sexual Health Promotion, 14 Regent Terrace, Gateshead. NE8 1LU
Tel 0191 490 1699

Learning Disability
Gateshead Council's Learning Disability Team is based at Gateshead Civic Centre. If you or the person you care for requires services or support, contact the team for an assessment.
Learning Disability Team, Community Based Services, Gateshead Civic Centre
Contact Tel 0191 433 2455

Mencap
Provide Housing Support and Community Support. Housing Support offers people housing options to best suit their needs, for example, supported living, care homes or help at home. Community Support provides leisure activities and breaks, outings and an advisory service for parents, families and carers.
Contact Tel 0191 487 0444
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Valuing People
This is a national programme which aims to make certain that people with a learning disability gain their rights, independence, choice and are properly included in all aspects of the community.

The main areas covered are:

• Better life chances, including access to housing and employment with support
  
• Supporting families and carers
  
• Improving access to mainstream health services

There is a Learning Disability Partnership Board and numerous sub-groups to take forward these ideas and put them into practice.

For more information contact Gateshead Carers Association on
Tel 0191 490 0121

Family Support Group
(Formerly called British Institute of Learning Disabilities (BILD) carers group)
Anyone caring for a relative with a learning disability can join. The group offers a mixture of information via speakers and discussions, support for each other and up-to-date information about what is happening in Gateshead.

Contact Gateshead Carers Association on
Tel 0191 490 0121

Mental Health Services
There are a lot of services in Gateshead for people with mental ill health and their carers. For a copy of the Gateshead Mental Health Directory, please contact Gateshead Mental Health User Forum on Tel 0191 490 0568.

Some of the services are outlined below.

Pathways
Provide an Information and Advice Service, covering mental health issues, money and benefits, training, medication, patients' rights and help for carers.

Pathways have Advocacy workers who can support you in speaking up for yourself or can represent you in speaking to professionals, in the hospital or in the community.

Pathways User Involvement Worker enables the patient and the carer to have a say in the planning of mental health services, monitoring existing services and helping to identify the need for new ones.

All services are free of charge.
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts, for contact details)

Mental Health Matters
Mental Health Matters has a confidential helpline for people with mental ill health, their friends, families and carers. You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health problem to call.

Staff are available if you want emotional support or just to have a chat during the evening and through the night.

Contact Tel 0800 085 1718
6pm until 6am, every night (free phone)

Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)
The Community Mental Health Team aims to provide a seamless service for people with mental ill health. The Team includes Community Psychiatric Nurses, Approved Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Consultant Psychiatrists and Support Workers.

The Team offers a service for people aged 16 to 65 experiencing severe mental health problems. They provide support and advice for families and carers and, where appropriate, an individual assessment of carers' needs.

Contact Community Mental Health Team - South and East Gateshead, 3 Walker Terrace, Gateshead.
Tel 0191 478 8700

Community Mental Health Team - Central Gateshead, 134 Dryden Road, Gateshead.
Tel 0191 403 6611

Community Mental Health Team - West Gateshead, Shibdon House, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, Gateshead.
Tel 0191 443 8100

In an out of hours emergency, contact the Duty Social Worker
Tel 0191 477 0844
Minicom 0191 478 2009

MIND in Gateshead
Works with, and provides support for, people aged over 18 with mental ill health and people looking for ways to prevent mental ill health. The service, which is free of charge, includes:

• Advice and support on any aspect of mental health
  
• A befriending scheme
  
• Drop-ins
• A women's only drop-in
  
• A listening ear service
  

Contact MIND in Gateshead
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Older People
There are a number of teams in Community Based Services that work with Older People. You should contact the office nearest to where the older person lives. There are Elderly Mental Health Teams also based at each of these offices.

West - Whickham Office Tel 0191 488 7141
East - Felling Office Tel 0191 469 7411
Central - Prince Consort Road Office Tel 0191 433 8300

Age Concern
Provide information, advice, benefit checks and access to computer training for older people. They also have projects focussing on health, advocacy, companionship, befriending and bereavement counselling. Also available are insurance policies, funeral plans and Aid Call.

Contact Tel 0191 477 3559
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Help the Aged
SeniorLine is the free telephone advice service run by Help the Aged for older people, their relatives, carers and friends. It offers free, confidential and impartial advice about welfare and disability benefits, care at home, residential care, housing options and adaptations and access to health and community services.

Contact Tel 0808 800 6565

Palliative Care
Palliative Care services aim to relieve the symptoms of people with a degenerative or terminal illness, for example cancer or AIDS. It aims to help make the last few weeks or months of a persons life as comfortable as possible, and to support the patient's friends and family.

Palliative Care usually comes as part of a package and may include care and support from Gateshead Health NHS Trust, GP's, District Nurses, Health Visitors, Community Based Services, day care and respite care provision.

Hospices
Hospices are specialist hospitals for terminally ill people. Staff are skilled in pain relief and dealing with the emotional side of terminal illness. Many offer bereavement counselling.

The GP or District Nurse of the person you care for can provide more information.

Macmillan Cancer Relief
Macmillan Nurses have special training in pain control, counselling and care of people with cancer. They visit people at home and make regular visits to advise on drug use, provide information and offer support. Their aim is to be there from the moment people first hear they have cancer to ensure they get the best information, treatment and care.

The GP, District Nurse, hospital consultant or ward sister will help you decide if a Macmillan Nurse would be appropriate.

Contact Macmillan Nurses
Tel 0191 403 6435

Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. There is always a staff member available from 8.30am - 10am if you need to talk to someone.

Marie Curie - Nursing Service
Offers home nursing care for people who are dying from cancer, and support and a break for the people caring for them. The service is available throughout the day and night (minimum of 3 hours, maximum of 9 hours).

The GP or District Nurse of the person you care for will be able to make arrangements.
There is no charge for this service.

Contact Marie Curie
Tel 0191 219 1116

Coping with Cancer North East
Offer a confidential support service to people with cancer and their friends and family. Services include a telephone helpline, complementary therapies, counselling, bereavement support and practical support.

Contact Coping with Cancer
Tel 0191 268 0011

Macmillan Cancerline
Operate a helpline that provides confidential information and support on any aspect of cancer and the services which are available.

Contact Macmillan Cancerline
Tel 0808 808 2020

Gateshead Crossroads - Intensive Support Scheme (CISS)
CISS aims to be adaptable, with both regular and variable times to fit around a rapidly deteriorating illness. Support is offered through the Carer Support Workers and is practical, but care staff also provide a listening ear.

Contact CISS at Gateshead Crossroads
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Physical Disability
If the person you care for has a physical disability, it may be helpful to contact the following:

Adults with Disabilities, Community Based Services
Contact Felling District Office 0191 469 7411
Whickham District Office 0191 488 7141

Disability Gateshead
Provide an Enquiry Service to give information and advice on any aspect of disability and maintain a library which includes British Sign Language videos.

Offer advice and support on anything to do with Personal Assistance and Independent Living. Run a Drop-in, Disabled People's Forum, an Advocacy Project (0191 478 4998) and a number of self-help and support groups.

Contact Tel 0191 478 6630
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts, for full details)

Disability North
Provide information, advice and support to disabled people of all ages on every aspect of Independent Living. Have a wide range of equipment and adaptations on display (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, wheelchairs and mobility aids, stair-lifts and a children's area).

They do not sell equipment but give advice on a range of sources, including the availability of second-hand equipment.

Contact Tel 0191 284 0480
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts, for full details)

Gateshead Access Panel
Advise on all aspects of disability access issues, such as improvements to plans, buildings, signs and information leaflets and training issues for workers. Can raise issues and difficulties that people may have through the Advocacy and User Involvement project.

Aim to help people speak out and pass on their experiences to the people who need to know, such as Local Authority, Health Trust or transport providers.

Contact Tel 0191 443 0058
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts, for full details)

Leonard Cheshire in Northumbria
Provide a flexible range of services, including care homes with nursing staff, a mobile Care at Home service and a day centre which runs craft courses and group outings.

Every year there is the Leonard Cheshire Challenge which involves sports such as abseiling, canoeing and sailing.

They can guide people through the Direct Payments process.

Contact Tel 0191 281 7996
(See Section 13 - Caring contacts, for full details)

Sensory Impairment
The following provide services to support people who are hard of hearing/deaf, partially sighted/blind or deaf and blind.

Sensory Support Team, Community Based Services
Contact Tel 0191 433 3000

Royal National Institute for the Blind - RNIB
Information, advice and support for anyone with a serious sight problem.

Contact Tel 0845 766 9999
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Royal National Institute for the Deaf - RNID
Information and advice for deaf and hard of hearing people, their carers and professionals.
Contact Tel 0808 808 0123 Textphone 0808 808 9000
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Sight Service
Offer advice, information, social and leisure activities, home visiting, counselling, benefits and pension advice to people with a visual impairment. Display and sell specialised equipment. Offer opportunities for IT training and skills development to help people remain independent.
Contact Tel 0191 478 5959
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Sense North
Support and campaign for people who are deafblind, their families and professionals who work with them. The Outreach Services Team can give full information.

Contact Tel 0113 205 9500
Textphone 0113 205 9502
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Black and Minority Ethnic Communities
Gateshead Carers Association
Employs a Carer Support Worker for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Communities. The worker raises awareness of carers within BME communities and helps carers to access services and support.

Contact Gateshead Carers Association
(See Section 13 - Caring Contacts)

Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Contact North of England Refugee Service
Tel 0191 245 7311
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Visible Ethnic Minority Support Group
Tel 0191 487 3059
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Bangladeshi
Contact Bangladeshi Association
Tel 0191 477 2644
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Chinese
Contact North East Chinese Association
Tel 0191 261 8583
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Jewish
Contact Jewish Family Service
Tel 0191 477 5675
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Zayis Rannon
Tel 0191 477 3870
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

Pakistani
Contact Pakistani Community Centre
0191 499 8209
(Full address in Section 13 - Caring contacts)

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