Healthcare Services
The NHS Choices website has a comprehensive search facility where you can locate hospitals, GP surgeries, dentists, opticians, pharmacies and more.
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 Choices Guide.
There are walk-in services at Hexham, North Tyneside and Wansbeck General Hospitals, providing urgent care for less serious conditions. Hexham urgent care centre is open 24 hours a day (updated 12 October 2018), Wansbeck urgent care centre is open from 8.00am to 10.00pm (until further notice from 2 March 2018), and North Tyneside open from 8.00am to 12 midnight. You can call NHS 111 for urgent medical advice any time.
These centres treat conditions such as:
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’s fast, easy and free 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 immediately direct you to the best medical care for you. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
A number of pharmacies across Northumberland have longer opening hours, giving you late night access to expert advice and medication.
You can see details of when local pharmacies are open here.
WeCan
WeCan is a community based organisation serving the South West Northumberland area, supporting children and young people with additional needs to access community leisure activities and local events.
Disability North
Disability North is a free Independent Living Service which promotes social inclusion, independence and choice for disabled and older people in the North East.
Northumberland Domestic Abuse Service
A free, confidential advice and support service for anyone experiencing abuse, irrespective of gender or sexuality.
Wag and Company
Wag & Company is a registered charity enabling visiting dog teams to build meaningful new friendships with older dog lovers across the North East of England.
Daft as a Brush
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care offers staffed custom-made vehicles to transport outpatients who are undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy cancer treatment, free of charge, to and from hospital.
NIWE
NIWE aims to provide help to people in the North East whose lives are affected by eating distress, or eating disorders. They provide a range of services including group support, group therapy, individual counselling, information and training.
Autism Northumberland
Offering parent/carer support groups, sibling support groups, exclusive activites for autistic families, after school and holiday clubs, training workshops, specialist teaching and coaching sessions, soft play, help with DLA claims, form filling, advice on schooling and lots more.
Natural Ability
Providing opportunities for people with learning and other disabilities to learn through challenge and well-managed risk, doing meaningful work, having fun and with a sense of personal autonomy.
Community Action Northumberland (CAN)
CAN is here to support and help sustain rural communities in Northumberland by promoting rural issues, empowering organisations – supporting and developing local community groups and organisations and supporting individuals – identifying, developing and managingn projects to address the needs of rural communities. CAN also jointly manages the Getabout Scheme.
Independent Complaints Advocacy Northumberland (ICAN)
If you need to raise concerns or make a complaint about NHS healthcare you have received, ICAN is here to help.
The National Health Servicem works hard to treat everyone properly and promptly and the majority of people who use the health service are happy with their treatment. However, sometimes things can go wrong. By raising your concerns you can help to put things right and ensure the NHS can learn from your experience. ICAN is a free service and can help you to make a complaint about any aspect of your NHS care or treatment.
In It Together
In It Together are a group of parents and carers of children and young people with a wide range of disabilities and special needs who come together regularly to informally express our views and opinions on the type of services our families need in Northumberland.
The Golden Guide
The Golden Guide has been published annually in Northumberland since 2006. Its aim is to help older people enjoy life by discovering the range of opportunities local to them. Its a great way to find social activities, clubs and classes, but it has also become a well-respected means of finding practical support with health issues, financial concerns or personal safety.
Headway Arts
Inspiring creative and performing arts workshops for learning disabled adults, Headway Arts hold weekly workshops from Monday to Thursday on a range of different arts including dance, creative arts, drama and theatre skills. They also run a project called Loose Ends for adults 19+ who are unemployed/economically inactive who have a disability, learning difficulty or are recovering from a long term health condition (starts September 2017).
Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group
The Northumbria Cancer Patient and Carer Group is made up of patients, carers, health professionals, voluntary group representatives and others affected by cancer. The group’s objective is to improve cancer services and support throughout Northumberland and North Tyneside.
Download the leaflet for more information.
Northumberland County Council
Your central point of contact for all county council services.
Active Northumberland
Sport, gyms, swimming pools, fitness classes, GP exercise on referral, health walks and more at venues across the county.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service
PALS provides confidential advice and support for patients, relatives and carers, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of NHS care.
Patient Transport Services
The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) provides pre-planned non-emergency transport for patients who have a medical condition that would prevent them from travelling to a treatment centre by any other means, or who require the skills of an ambulance care assistant during the journey.
Carers Northumberland
Carers Northumberland is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of carers by responding to the needs of carers, informing carers of their rights and entitlements, supporting carers to access help for the person they care for, reducing the social isolation that so many carers feel and empowering carers to have a voice.
Age UK Northumberland
Age UK Northumberland is the advocate and supporter of older people in Northumberland. Whether you need advice, access to services, are looking for something fun to do in your area or are interested in fundraising and volunteering, Age UK Northumberland can help.
Northumberland Cancer Support Group
The Northumberland Cancer Support Group is a completely voluntary self-help organisation. They offer a gentle, holistic approach to cancer which does not conflict with conventional medical treatment, recognising that each person touched by cancer responds in their own unique way, and respect their right to choose what feels right for them.
Adapt North East
A charity which aims to improve the quality of life of those with a sensory, physical or learning disability, or mental health problems; plus people who are disadvantaged in being able to access services because they live in a rural location.
Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society believes passionately that life doesn’t end when dementia begins. They support anyone affected by dementia, and do everything they can to keep people with dementia connected to their lives and the people who matter most.
Talking Matters
Talking Matters Northumberland offers a free psychological treatment, support and recovery service for the people of Northumberland over the age of 16 for depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health related problems.
Northumberland County Blind Association
A well established local charity that provides advice and support services to blind and visually impaired people to enable individuals to gain the knowledge, confidence and skills necessary to increase independence and fulfil life potential.
Hate Crime Advocacy
Advocacy Centre North supports victims of hate crime across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear. A hate crime is one you think was motivated by prejudice because of how you look or how you live your life. For more information or to make an enquiry please visit the website.
Citizens Advice Northumberland
Citizens Advice Northumberland provide free, confidential and impartial advice and campaign on big issues affecting people’s lives. Their goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face.
Contact Morpeth Mental Health Group
Contact can help with professional support such as one-to-one counselling or simply provide a place where you can relax and socialise with people who understand the problems associated with mental health conditions. The group also provide organised activities.