West Northumberland Adult Community Treatment Team – Patient Information Leaflet

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.

The 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 usually arranged at the Fairnington Centre (within Hexham general hospital) but can also be 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.

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

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.

You will be seen by a member(s) of the Team 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.

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 team so that you will be able to telephone if you cannot attend your next appointment.

If you choose to see us again you will have one to one involvement with your Care
Co-ordinator or a Lead Professional. Together you will develop a care plan to help you address your mental health needs.

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

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

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.

Staff can arrange an interpreter if you need one.

Contact Traveline: 0871 200 22 33
Website: www.traveline.info

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
• telephone the Complaints Department on 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/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 one’s 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

9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday

An answerphone is always available for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

• North East NHS Independent Complaints Advocacy (ICA) Tel: 0808 802 3000
• Northumberland Crisis Team Tel: 0303 123 1146

West Northumberland Adult Community Treatment Team
Fairnington Centre
Corbridge Road
Hexham
Northumberland
NE46 1QJ

Tel: 01434 612 800 (Monday to Thursday – 9am-5pm, Friday – 9am-4.30pm)

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/559/0325 March 2025 V9

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

Review date 2028