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Northumberland Head Injuries Service

Published
10/06/2025
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Information about the Northumberland Head Injuries Service who offer a range of services for people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury, including rehabilitation and social care. The service is available to residents from Northumberland of the age of 16 years and over.

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This leaflet may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without the permission of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

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  • Welcome

    This leaflet provides you with information about Northumberland Head Injuries Service. If you have any questions about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of the team.

  • What is Northumberland Head Injuries Service?

    Northumberland Head Injuries Service offers a range of services for people who have sustained a traumatic brain injury. We provide services for Northumberland residents from the age of 16 years upwards.

  • Team members

    The following staff work in the team. All, or any of them may work with you to assist in the achievement of your rehabilitation goals.

    Physiotherapists

    • Provide individual assessment and treatment for your movement problems, dizziness or fitness.
    • Provide exercise advice.
    • Offer a hydrotherapy service if appropriate.
    • Make recommendations for orthotics and wheelchairs.

    Occupational Therapists

    • Carry out daily living assessments.
    • Assist with self care skills and equipment.
    • Assist with the development of independent living skills.
    • Support you with vocational rehabilitation (eg, return to work, exploring college/voluntary opportunities).
    • Make recommendations for minor works and housing adaptation.

    Clinical Psychologists

    • Carry out assessments and therapy aiming to support you to adjust to the changes experienced after your brain injury.
    • Provide cognitive assessments and strategies to compensate for difficulties with memory, concentration, planning, etc.
    • Provide assessment and support with anger management.

    Speech and Language Therapist

    • Carries out assessments and therapy to help with communication and swallowing problems.
    • Makes recommendations for communication aids where appropriate.

    Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine

    • Provides a medical overview and a range of interventions, such as pain management and treatments to help alleviate problems with tone and muscle spasm.
    • Makes recommendations to your GP regarding appropriate medication.
    • Liaises with other doctors involved in your care.

    Community Practitioners

    • Will work closely with you to identify your rehabilitation, health care and social support needs
    • Will work in partnership with you and with other members of the team to set out the goals that you would like to achieve and to ensure that the ongoing involvement with the team is meeting your needs.
    • Offer you and your family advice and support.

    Assistant Practitioner
    Will work under the direction of the therapists to support you to achieve your agreed therapy goals.

    Peer Supporter

  • The peer supporter is someone with lived experience of brain injury.
  • They can share their own experience of brain injury and recovery with you and listen to your concerns from the perspective of someone who knows what it is like to experience brain injury.
  • They help the team with service development by organising groups of service users to share their thoughts with us on how to improve the service we offer you and others with brain injury.

  • Your family and friends

    We encourage you to bring a partner, friend, or other family member along with you to the initial assessment. Our team offers support to them too.

  • Your initial assessment

    You have had a brain injury, there may be questions you wish to ask. A good idea would be to write them down before coming to your initial assessment, we will do our best to answer them.

  • What other service users say

    In compiling this leaflet we consulted with other service users. Some told us they felt scared and daunted at the prospect of their first meeting with our Service. Here are a few of their thoughts now:

    “I was so nervous before I came to the Northumberland Head Injuries unit, but I needn’t have worried as everyone is so friendly and welcoming.”

    “Thank you for listening.”

    “Empathetic, good motivators.”

    “A holistic view from Administration to Consultant.”

  • How to find us

    Most people arrive by car. Pay and display car parks are available within the hospital grounds. Parking at the Northgate site can sometimes be a problem during busy times. If you cannot find a parking space please ask for assistance at our department, and we will try to help.

    From A1 Northbound – Take exit towards A197/A192. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Morpeth Northern Bypass. At the roundabout take the1st exit and stay on Morpeth Northern Bypass. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto A192. Look for the petrol station on the right. After the petrol station turn right following the Northgate Hospital sign, turn immediately left and then right again. Follow the road around into the hospital grounds, passing St Andrews Gardens housing estate.

    From A1 Southbound – Take the exit toward A197/A192. At the roundabout take the 1st exit onto Morpeth Northern Bypass. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto A192. Look for the petrol station on the right. After the petrol station turn right following the Northgate Hospital sign, turn immediately left and then right again. Follow the road around into the hospital grounds, passing St Andrews Gardens housing estate.

    From Morpeth town centre – Take the A192 northbound for 2 -miles, look for the petrol station on the right. After the petrol station turn right following the Northgate Hospital sign, turn immediately left and then right again. Follow the road around into the hospital grounds, passing St Andrews Gardens housing estate.

    The 417 bus from Morpeth bus station runs throughout the day to Northgate. The following link will take you to the timetable https://bustimes.org/services/417-northgate-hospitalmorpeth-morpeth

  • Contact details

    Northumberland Head Injuries Service
    Druridge
    Medical Directorate
    Northgate Park
    Morpeth
    Northumberland
    NE61 3BP
    Telephone: 01670 394 150
    Email: [email protected]

    Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk.

    Office hours: Monday-Friday: 8.30am-4.30pm

  • Further information and advice

    Headway
    Supports people with a brain injury and those who care for them.
    Free Telephone Helpline: 0808 800 2244 Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm
    Website: www.headway.org.uk

  • What if I have a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint about the service?

    If you want to make a comment, suggestion, compliment or complaint you can:

     

    We are always looking at ways to improve services. Your feedback allows us to monitor the quality of our services and act upon issues that you bring to our attention. You can provide feedback in the following ways:

    • the quickest way for you to do this is to complete our short online survey at www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourvoice
    • complete a Your Voice survey, available on wards, reception areas or from staff
    • other options for sharing your feedback and experience www.cntw.nhs.uk/yourfeedback

     

    Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
    PALS provide confidential advice and support, helping you to sort out any concerns that you may have about any aspect of your or your loved ones care.

    We act independently when handling patient and family concerns, liaising with staff, managers and, where appropriate, relevant organisations, to negotiate prompt solutions. If necessary, we can also refer patients and families to specific local or national-based support agencies.

    North of Tyne
    Telephone: 0800 032 0202
    Email: [email protected]
    Post: FREEPOST PALS

  • Information about content, other formats and version control

    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 0191 246 7288.

    Published by the Patient Information Centre
    2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
    Ref: PIC/162/0625 June 2025 V12

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

    Review date 2028