Gateshead Community Learning Disability Team – patient information leaflet

This information is about the Community Learning Disability Team (CLDT). If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

We work with adults aged over 18 with a diagnosis of a learning disability who find it hard to use mainstream services. We work with people who have specific mental health, physical health or behaviours that challenge due to their learning disability.

We can also diagnose people with a learning disability who have a health care need should this be required.

We have an open referral system. This means anybody can refer themselves or somebody else. The person being referred must agree to the referral being made.

Referrals can be made:

• by telephone or letter
• in person
• by completing a referral form available from Bensham Hospital

When a referral is made we can:

• talk to you about what we can do to help
• ask you if you are happy for us to work with you

You can say yes. You can say no. It is up to you.

If you can’t make decisions, and someone else needs to make them for you, then they must think about what is best for you. This person could be a family member, carer, advocate or another professional.

To work out what is in your best interests, they must listen to what you want, ask people who know you and make sure you are involved.

All referrals are made to CLDT and the team decide who would be the best person to work with you.

Speech and Language Therapists work with people who need help:
Work with people who need help communicating and understanding other people, and with eating and drinking.

Community Nurses
Provide advice, support and treatment for people with a learning disability who have a variety of physical and mental health needs. We also work with people who have behaviours that challenge.

Clinical Psychologists
Provide assessment and treatment for people with behaviours that challenge, emotional difficulties and mental health difficulties.

Physiotherapists
Provide treatment for physical health conditions around movement, function and postural management.

Psychiatrists
Are doctors who provide assessment and treatment of mental health problems.

Non-medical Prescribers
Can prescribe and review your medication.

Occupational Therapists
Focus on promoting your independence and wellbeing and help you with everyday activities.

Help to identify how you process sensory information like touch, sight, sound, smell and taste and how this affects your daily life.

The Gateshead Community Learning Disability Team will:

• talk about what is important to you.
• Talk about what you want to change.
• Talk about things you can do with our help.
• Help other people look after you.

The Gateshead Community Learning Disability Team work in a variety of settings like your own home, day centres, hospitals and clinics. We will:

• see you with your partner, parents, family members, carers and staff teams.
• offer you individual support and interventions and, at times,
  group support.
• speak to you and other professionals.
• work with you and other professionals like social services,
  education and the voluntary sector.
• give you and those supporting you advice and support to help
  meet your healthcare needs.

 
The Gateshead Community Learning Disability Team is unable to offer an out of hour’s emergency response service. If you need help in an emergency please contact:

• 999 – for urgent medical attention
• 111 – for non-urgent medical attention or mental health support
• Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team – Newcastle and Gateshead
• 0191 814 8899
• 0800 652 2863
• Text number for people who are deaf and/or have communication difficulties 07919 228 548

Gateshead Community Learning Disability Team
Bensham Hospital
82 -84 Fontwell Drive
Gateshead
NE8 4YL

Telephone 0191 478 0650

Email [email protected]

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has a complaints policy. If you want to complain we will give you a leaflet to explain how to, or you can talk to a member of staff.

If you think there are things we could do to make our service better please tell a member of the team.

You can also give feedback by scanning this QR code and filling in a Your Voice survey. Please use the team code: LDGHDAT

Entrance: Bensham Hospital, Fontwell Drive

Nearest bus: TB29 from Gateshead Interchange stand 6. Runs from 9am-4pm
www.gonortheast.co.uk/

Nearest Metro: Gateshead Metro, Gateshead Interchange
www.nexus.org.uk/metro/timetables-and-stations/gateshead/timetable
Office hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

For further information contact Traveline
Tel: 0191 20 20 747
Website: www.traveline.info/

Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Telephone 0191 246 7288.

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/812/0825 August 2025 V5
www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2028