Find services

Here you can find information about where to go for medical help and attention, with details of Northumberland’s urgent and emergency care services. There are links to information about care homes and other social services and a directory of useful websites.

We have also provided a directory of services including mental health and dementia support, LGBT support and services, where to find help making a complaint about health and social care services and community and patient transport. You can also find details of organisations which offer support with special educational needs and disabilities and specific health conditions. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please get in touch and our Information and Signposting Service can help you find the information you need.

Urgent and emergency care

Emergency care

Serious emergencies include:

Suspected stroke
Loss of consciousness
Persistent and severe chest pain
Sudden shortness of breath
Severe abdominal pain
Severe blood loss

In these cases call 999 for an ambulance or go to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSECH) in Cramlington.

The NHS is currently asking people to not to turn up at A&E or urgent care for non-emergencies, before first calling 111 or speaking to a GP or pharmacist.

Urgent care

There are urgent care centres at Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck General Hospitals, providing care for less serious conditions. Hexham and Wanseck urgent care centres are open open from 8.00am to 10.00pm and North Tyneside is open from 8.00am to 12 midnight. The NHS is advising patients to call 111 before attending an urgent care centre, or for urgent medical advice any time.

These centres treat conditions such as:

Minor head, ear or eye problems
Broken nose or nose bleed
Sprains, strains, cuts and bites
Children’s minor injuries and ailments (for children, in particular babies, it’s advisable to call ahead by using the free NHS 111 service)
Minor fractures or broken bones
Abscesses and wound infections

Out of hours care

If you need medical help out of hours when your GP surgery or dentist is closed, call 111 for advice.

111 is the NHS non-emergency number. It is free to use from both landlines and mobiles. You will speak to a trained advisor who is supported by healthcare professionals.

They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and direct you to the best medical care for you. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also access NHS 111 online.

A number of pharmacies across Northumberland have longer opening hours, giving you late night access to expert advice and medication. Find your nearest pharmacy.

If you need urgent help with your mental health, you can get in touch with the crisis team at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust 24 hours a day: call: 0800 652 2861. Text number for people with hearing loss or communication difficulties: 07887 625 277.

Healthcare services

Healthcare services and information

The NHS website has a comprehensive search facility where you can locate hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, opticians, pharmacies and more. There’s also information on health conditions, medicines, treatment; anything to do with NHS services.

Check if you’re eligible for help with NHS costs

You might be able to get help to pay for NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, sight tests, glasses and contact lenses, travel to receive NHS treatment and NHS wigs and fabric supports.

Find out with the NHS eligibility checker

Social care services

Home care and care homes

For an up to date list of care homes for older people in Northumberland please visit the Northumberland County Council website.

For advice on social care and support see the NHS website.

Adult social care compliments and complaints

If you would like to give feedback on adult social care services provided by Northumberland County Council, you can do so on the website. This could be as a user of services or as a carer of someone who uses services.

Adult social care - give feedback on services