Getting to your appointment

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) can provide planned, non-emergency transport. This is if you have:

• A medical condition or disability which stops you being able to travel to hospital by other means
• If you may need the help of the ambulance team during the journey  

Eligibility 

You may be eligible if you: 

• Live in a nursing home that doesn’t have its own transport* 

• Are registered blind or deaf and need help from the ambulance crew* 

• Are confined to a bed or need oxygen for the journey* 

• Are receiving chemotherapy / radiotherapy / dialysis 

• Have dementia or Alzheimer's* 

• Have a severe mental health difficulty which means you cannot travel by other means* 

• Cannot get in or out of a car 

• Cannot walk unaided outside for a sustained period of time  

• Are having treatment / a procedure that will affect mobility afterwards (return only) 

• Have a complex route of travel which requires more than 2 modes of transport 

• Have reduced mobility including the need for a stretcher, two-person lift (own chair), two-person lift, own wheelchair, tail lift or other special arrangements*  

*If you have any of the above conditions or disabilities you may be entitled to permanent eligibility. Please let the call handler know when contacting them.  

Booking 

This can be booked in advance by you, a GP or a member of the hospital team.   

• If you live in Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland/Washington, Gateshead, North Tyneside or South Tyneside, call 0191 215 1515. This line is open from Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm.

• For any other areas or for more information, please visit the NEAS patient transport service page.

If you have been told you are not eligible and have concerns about this decision, you can contact the Transport Information Service Line on 01642 263123.

Cancelling booked transport  

• If your transport is the next working day, please call 0300 111 0247 as soon as possible at any time.

• If your booking is after the next working day, please call 0191 215 1515.

If you live in England, you may be entitled to free or discounted travel on local transport services at certain times. You can apply for a travel pass if you:  

• Have a disability which meets certain criteria, or  

• You are over the age of 65. 

*If you meet either of the above and can't travel alone, you may also be able to apply for a companion pass to enable a friend, relative or carer to travel with you.

Northumberland residents  

If you live in Northumberland, please visit the following link to apply for a pass:  

Apply for a pass - Northumberland County Council.  

Please visit How to use your pass - Northumberland County Council to find out more.

North Tyneside residents 

If you live in Tyne and Wear, please visit the following link to apply for your pass: Concessions | nexus.org.uk  

Children and young people

Up to three children under 12 years of age can travel for free on Metro and the Shields Ferry with a fare-paying adult. For more information, please visit Take the kids for free.  

Under 16s living in Tyne and Wear can travel at reduced fares on public transport in Tyne and Wear if they have an Under 16 Pop card. To find out more, please visit Under 16s.

We are proud to be part of the Active Hospitals programme. This means we encourage patients and staff to be physically active. If you feel able to, why not walk or cycle to your appointment? Not only will it improve your health, it also helps our planet. The maps and journey planner below can help.

We have public bike storage areas at these sites:

• North Tyneside General Hospital - Diabetes Resource Centre entrance
• North Tyneside General Hospital - Alley to left of Urgent Treatment Centre entrance
• North Tyneside General Hospital - Right of main entrance doors
• Northumbria hospital, Cramlington - Between visitor car park and bus stop
• Wansbeck General Hospital – right of the main entrance doors
• Hexham General Hospital – opposite GP surgery
• Hexham General Hospital – opposite main entrance

Use the Cycle Streets Journey Planner or National Cycle Network OS maps below to plan your route.

CycleStreets » Cycle journey planner

Find a route on the National Cycle Network - Sustrans.org.uk

PLEASE NOTE: There could be works or closures on particular routes. We advise that you check with the relevant local authority before setting off on your journey.

If you don't feel able to walk or cycle to your appointment, but would like a more sustainable way to travel, please consider using public transport. You can plan your journey here. 

We have two shuttle buses running between our sites. One runs between North Tyneside General Hospital and Wansbeck General Hospital. The other runs between North Tyneside and the Northumbria hospital at Cramlington.

They are free for patients to use. They run from the main entrances at each hospital.

The current timetable for these services is below. They run Monday to Friday.

The regional Making Every Contact Count gateway aims to help raise awareness, motivate and signpost people to help improve their health and wellbeing. It has information on self-care, national and local support services.

It includes information about local transport options and support. This is because transport plays a key role in improving access to health services.