Our teams provide high-quality care to patients in the community.
There is support available which means you may avoid going into hospital or return home more quickly for further treatment following a hospital stay.
Our community teams have been working in people’s own homes and care homes for many years so are experts at caring for you in this way.
A wide range of healthcare professionals work together to ensure all aspects of your care are provided.
There is one phone number to call if any health or care professionals need support with a patient, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Some of the ways we support patients are set out on this page.
Virtual wards provide hospital-level care in the comfort of your own home.
Here at Northumbria, if you are a patient of our virtual ward, you can expect the same safe and effective care as we provide in our hospitals.
Various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, therapists and pharmacists, may visit you at your home to provide treatments, carry out tests and assessments, or check on your condition.
You may also have online or telephone appointments and consultations.
In certain cases, you may be given special equipment so that you can be monitored remotely by our teams.
More information is available here.
What is a virtual ward?
What does it mean for patients?
Our urgent community response service means certain patients can be assessed within two hours.
Typical examples might include, but are not limited to:
- Acute illness / injuries / new wounds / suspected infections
- Frailty symptoms getting worse
- Palliative / end-of-life care
- Confusion / delirium
- Serious reduction in function or movement
- Falls
- Urgent equipment provision
It can help to avoid patients having to go into hospital where their care can be provided where they live.
The teams are integrated health and social care services based in our hospitals. Northumbria Healthcare works in partnership with the local councils in Northumberland & North Tyneside. They support patients home from hospital.
The team includes social workers, social work support assistants, discharge nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. They work together to support your discharge once the medical team feel you are well enough to leave hospital.
The team will help arrange any ongoing care and support you need. They will help rebuild your skills such as washing, dressing, preparing a meal/snack etc. They will help improve your mobility and confidence.
More information is available here.
What is facilitated discharge?
How does it help patients?
Short Term Support Service (STSS) is a team of physiotherapists, technical instructors, occupational therapists and reablement staff. It is a joint team between our trust and Northumberland County Council.
They aim to support adults who are mainly house-bound. They provide assessment and rehab to support patients to stay at home as independently as possible
The service is for adults with a long-term condition or disability that is worsening. They could have a newly diagnosed condition or disability. They may be recovering after a trauma, injury or illness.
This service can be accessed by contacting OneCall on
More information is available here.
Intermediate care units help people recover from illness and injury while increasing their independence.
Wherever possible, support is provided in people’s own homes. On some occasions, this is not possible, and a patient will need a short spell of personalised rehab in an inpatient unit. There are currently 3 intermediate care units across Northumberland and North Tyneside.
More information on the units is available here.
The Settle at Home service is available to you if:
- You live in North Tyneside
- You are aged 55 or over
- You are being discharged from ward 15 at North Tyneside General Hospital
Most patients are eager to return home. But you may feel isolated, anxious and unsure how you will manage on your own. Settle at Home helps you return home confidently after a stay in hospital. The service carries out a one-off visit in the days following discharge.
Even if you have family members to help, the volunteer can still offer support. You can read the Settle at Home leaflet here.
What does it involve?
Volunteers can help you settle in at home with tasks such as:
- A small grocery shop
- Checking lights and heating are working,
- Making a hot drink
- Signposting to other services as needed
Who will visit patients at home?
VODA Settle at Home volunteers provide the service in partnership with us.
How to refer?
A discharge nurse will refer you to the service. Patients, friends and family can discuss this with their discharge nurse if they would like to be referred.
You can find out more on the VODA website here.