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The team at Haltwhistle War Memorial Hospital talk about life at one of our most rural health facilities and the vital service they provide to the local community.

It’s said the town is located directly in the heart of Britain which often comes as a surprise being so far to the North of England. But if you look at the longest north-south line through the British Isles, the halfway point is Haltwhistle in Northumberland.

The leafy town is largely surrounded by woodland and farmland but is also close to one of the best-preserved sections of Hadrian’s Wall which draws tourists from around the world.

The 17-bed hospital sits in the centre of town and provides high quality care for a range of patients from the local community.

The multi-disciplinary hospital team provides specialist support and rehabilitation including occupational therapy and physiotherapy for patients who need extra help to prepare them for going home.

They also provide palliative care for those approaching the end of life and a minor injuries service which is open 9am to 5pm every day.

The modern building is just 7 years old and offers single, en-suite rooms offering the utmost privacy and dignity, with one room specially adapted for bariatric patients.

As well as providing an excellent resource for local people they also take patients from the larger hospitals at Hexham and Cramlington, freeing up space for emergencies and treating local people much closer to home.

There is also a minor injuries unit which helps keep people out of A&E, offering more immediate treatment for those who need it. As with most units they have seen a 30% increase in patients so far this year with more than 400 people seeking medical attention.

The staff at the unit have formed a tight-knit bond and often get to spend more time with the patients because of the rural location, making it a great place to work, train or get care.

Here’s a video about the unit: