South Northumberland Adult Community Treatment Team – Patient information leaflet

The Community Treatment Team - South Northumberland Adult provides an assessment and treatment service for people who are experiencing difficulty with their mental health.

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

  • Introduction

    This leaflet provides you with information that you may find useful during your time with our service.

    We want to offer you as much help and support as you feel you need, to enable you to live the life you want. If you are not sure about anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

  • What is a Community Treatment Team (CTT)?

    The Community Treatment Team provides an assessment and treatment service for people who are experiencing difficulty with their mental health.

    The team is made up of a number of health care professionals. Appointments with the team are arranged at a number of different sites across your area. If this is inconvenient to you then appointments may also be arranged within your own home.

  • Who is it for?

    The Community Treatment Team provides a service for men and women over the age of 18 years who require a period of assessment and treatment.

  • Why do I need to attend?

    Involvement with us is of your choice or you may have been referred to the service by your GP or another health professional. Often when people are experiencing difficulty with their mental health they will need to be seen by a specialist service to assess their current mental health needs and see how they can be helped.

  • What will happen at my first appointment?

    You will see a clinician and have a chance to talk about your current problems. Anything you say will be confidential within the team unless there is a legal duty to inform outside agencies. This will be explained before the assessment. Following this initial appointment if there is a need to see a doctor this will be arranged.

    At the end of the assessment we will look together at the best options to help you with your needs, either within our team or another service.

    After your assessment, a letter will be sent to your family doctor and the referrer, if these are different. You can ask for a copy of the letter.

    You will be given a contact number of the Community Treatment Team so that you will be able to telephone if you cannot attend your next appointment.

  • What will happen next?

    If we agree that you need intervention from the CTT, the first few appointments will focus on understanding your needs and developing a care plan.

    A range of interventions and therapies will be offered to suit your personal needs. This can include group work, training, health checks.

  • How long are appointments?

    The first appointment can last up to one hour. You are welcome to bring a carer, friend or advocate with you.

  • Personal safety

    Trust staff carry devices that can monitor and record abusive behaviour. They can alert and receive support from emergency services and the recordings may be used in court proceedings.

  • Interpreters

    Staff can arrange an interpreter if you need one.

  • Travel information

    Contact Nexus Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 22 33

    Website: www.traveline.info/

  • 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:
    • talk to the people directly involved in your care
    • ask a member of staff for a feedback form, or complete a form on the Trust website www.cntw.nhs.uk (click on the ‘Contact Us’ tab)
    • telephone the Complaints Department 0191 245 6672
    • email [email protected] Please note that information sent to the Trust via email is sent at your own risk
    • 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/poy
    – complete a Points of You survey, available from staff.

  • Useful contacts

    • Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Tel: 0800 032 02 02
    • North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA) Tel: 0808 802 3000

  • Contact details

    South Northumberland Community Treatment Team
    West Farm House
    1-2 West Farm Court
    Cramlington
    Northumberland
    NE23 1AX
    Tel: 01670 890 201

    Plessey Centre
    Stanley Street
    Blyth
    Northumberland
    NE24 2BZ
    01670 798 300
    Fax: 01670 798301
    Office hours Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

  • 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 (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

    Published by the Patient Information Centre
    2022 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
    Ref, PIC/819/0622 June 2020 V11
    www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
    Review date 2025