The Lodge – information for families, friends and carers

The Lodge is a two bed bungalow on the St Nicholas site.  It can be booked by family, friends and carers to support you in maintaining contact with your family member or the person you care for.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust provides The Lodge free of charge to family, friends and carers who do not live within a reasonable travelling distance. The accommodation is to enable them to visit a family member or friend whilst they are receiving care from the Trust.

The building provides the following facilities:
• sleeps three individuals in two bedrooms
• a bathroom
• small lounge with TV and dining area
• kitchen – with microwave and tea/coffee making facilities
• all bedding and towels will be provided for you when you arrive. Domestic staff will ensure that bedding and towels are changed on a daily basis prior to each family/carer arriving.
• An additional z-bed and a travel cot that can be used for younger siblings is also available.

A local Community Police Officer has a small office base at the rear of the building. This office will be locked when the Police Officer is not using it. ¬

There are three, bollard controlled parking spaces to the right of The Lodge for visitors and police use. You will be given a key for the bollard on arrival. Please make sure the bollard is raised when you leave the property. There is no charge for parking.

If you would like to stay in The Lodge please make arrangements with staff on the ward where your family member/friend is staying. The Lodge is available all year round.

Please note The Lodge is only available for bookings for one night. However, if The Lodge is not booked by someone else one week prior to your booking, it may be used for more than one night. Please contact the member of staff who booked your visit.

You can access The Lodge by obtaining a key and alarm code from the Main Reception at St Nicholas site.

The Lodge can be accessed from 2pm on the date of arrival, and must be vacated by 10am.

You will be given a leaflet about The Lodge when you collect the key to the building. Please read the ‘Visitor to the Lodge’ section at the end of this leaflet.

The Lodge and grounds of St Nicholas are completely smokefree. If you wish to smoke it will be necessary for you to leave the grounds. Please dispose of your cigarettes in a considerate manner.

There is a wheelchair ramp available at the rear of the building. Access to the building through this door is via security staff. If you or family require wheelchair access please ensure that this is discussed with the ward prior to your arrival.

A member of security staff will be available to help you gain access to the building.

In the unlikely event of an emergency situation, please contact the St Nicholas Hospital main switch board on 0191 246 6800.

Switchboard will contact the most relevant member of staff to support you. This could be a member of staff from the ward where your family member/friend is staying or an ‘on call’ member of staff if required.

Service users will be on different stages of their treatment. Some may be entitled to leave that would enable them to plan a visit and spend time with you in The Lodge. This would need to be discussed with the professional organising the visit and would need to be prescribed by the responsible clinician. If your family member/friend can’t access The Lodge, visits must be organised at another appropriate venue. Staff will be happy to advise you.

No pets are allowed to stay in the Lodge.

You are kindly requested to:

1. Ensure that the property is secure at all times during your stay e.g. make sure that the alarm is set when you leave the building.
2. Ensure that the facility is left clean and tidy and that no items are removed from the building.
3. Do not smoke within the building or grounds of St Nicholas.
4. Do not entertain any additional guests (including service users) during your stay in the Lodge.
5. Return the keys to Main Reception on departure.

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 (Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on telephone 0191 246 7288.

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/697/0125 January 2025 V7

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0191 246 7288

Review date 2026