Castleside Day Hospital is based in Alnwood at St Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne. The service provides assessment and treatment for people aged over 65 years who are experiencing mental health or psychological problems.
We hope that you find the following information useful. If you have any questions or require any more information, please speak to a member of staff or telephone during opening hours.
The Day Hospital is based in Alnwood at St Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne
The service provides assessment and treatment for people aged over 65 years who are experiencing mental health or psychological problems. Our aim is to help people to continue to maintain their independence in the community and to promote and maintain good mental health and wellbeing.
We are open 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (closed on Bank Holidays).
Out of hours you can leave a message on phone: 0191 246 8736
A small, well experienced, committed team of medical staff, qualified mental health nurses, support workers and an occupational therapist will be involved in your care on a day to day basis. On referral you may also be seen by a range of other professional health care staff, like physiotherapist, psychologist, dietician.
You will be allocated a Named Nurse who will introduce themselves and discuss any particular arrangements that might be necessary. Your named nurse will then spend time with you and help you with aspects of your care and treatment.
You have been asked to attend Castleside Day Hospital to see how best we might be able to support and help you and initially a full, comprehensive assessment will be carried out which may include:
• Physical examination
• Blood tests
• Scans
• Psychological testing.
A range of treatments and therapeutic interventions are available and you may be involved in a range of different activities, like wellness activities, Wellness Recovery Action Planning, social and diversional activities etc.
After 6 to 8 weeks a review meeting will be held at the Day Hospital which will include those involved in your care and treatment. Your named nurse will discuss with you whether you would like any family members or home carers to be involved in the review. At this review we will discuss the assessment and any future treatment/intervention plans with you.
Further review meetings will be arranged as your care and treatment continues.
This is an opportunity for us to make sure you have all the information you need and understand your treatment plan. If you would like to have an advocate to help you speak at any of these meetings, please let your named nurse know.
If at any time you wish to see any member of the team separately, please let your named nurse know and we can make arrangements.
Information from relatives and carers is really helpful as part of your assessment and ongoing treatment and with your agreement we would like to keep family members involved and informed. When you come to the Day Hospital your named nurse will discuss the issue of consent with you and explain what this means.
A wide range of social and therapeutic activities are on offer throughout the week eg.
• Quizzes
• Live music
• Relaxation/meditation sessions
• Discussion groups
• Reminiscence groups
• Cognitive stimulation therapy
• Yoga
In good weather there are often trips out and about to places of interest and a small walking group go out for fresh air and exercise.
We also have a small team of social activity volunteers who supplement the range of activities on offer by arranging board games, arts and crafts and social interactions. The volunteers are fully trained, supervised and supported whilst engaging in activities.
A small group regularly attends the Chapel on site for a service on Wednesday mornings.
The Chaplaincy Department visit the Day Hospital regularly to offer pastoral care and services are organised at religious festival time, like Easter and Christmas.
We can make special faith arrangements that people might need, such as particular diets or prayer space. We have a Multi Faith Resource Box with items for short-term use.
No. The hospital has a smoke free policy which covers the whole Trust site, including all buildings, wards and outdoor areas. This means you are not allowed to smoke while you are in the grounds of any of our sites.
We can refer you to the Quit Smoking team if you like.
Smoking in any building is also a breach of the law (the Smoke Free Regulations) and may result in a fine of up to £200.
You may still require some help and support when you are discharged from the Day Hospital. This will be discussed with you at a pre discharge review and a copy of your discharge plan will be given to you. We will ask your permission to share this information with your relatives/carers.
A range of light refreshments and lunch at 12 o’clock are provided during your stay. Should you have any allergies or specific dietary needs please let a member of staff know.
Ambulance transport is provided by the North East Ambulance service. Should you wish to make other arrangements please discuss with a member of staff.
For travel information contact Traveline
Telephone: 0871 200 22 33
Website: www.
If you need to take medication while you are at the day services please bring it with you. You can either give it to the ambulance crew who collect you or to the nursing staff when you arrive at the unit. The nurses will make sure you get it at the right time. All medication must be in original packaging so it can be identified.
- Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) North of Tyne
Phone: 0800 032 02 02 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm) Provides information and advice about local NHS services and support organisations and helps sort out any problems with NHS services. - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Phone: 0191 246 6800 - The Alzheimer’s Society
Phone: 0300 222 1122 (Mon-Wed, 9am-8pm, Thur-Fri, 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm) - Age UK
Phone: 0800 678 1602 (Mon-Sun, 8am-7pm) - Dementia Care
Phone: 0191 217 1323 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) - Pharmacy Medicines Information Helpline
Phone: 0191 245 6604 - NHS 111
Phone 111 for non-urgent help and support
Castleside Day Hospital
Alnwood
St Nicholas Hospital
Jubilee Road
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3XT
Phone: 0191 246 8736
You can talk to a staff member or use the contacts listed below. See other ways to give feedback.
Your Voice
You can use this email to tell us what you think about your care. This can be good or bad. You can also ask us to tell you what happens after you send feedback.
Email: yourvoice
Comments and complaints
If something went wrong, please tell us. This will help us improve services.
Email: complaints
Telephone: 0191 245 6672
Write to: Complaints Department, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT.
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS offer a free, confidential service. They can help if you are worried about your care. They support patients, families and carers.
PALS North of Tyne
(services in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and North Cumbria)
Email: pals
Telephone: 0800 032 0202
PALS South of Tyne
(services in Sunderland, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Lotus Ward, Middlesbrough)
Email: pals
Telephone: 0800 328 4397
You can get more information about this leaflet from the Patient Information Centre. This includes how the leaflet was made. We can provide this leaflet in other formats. These include Braille, audio, large print, Easy Read, British Sign Language, and other languages.
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Published by the Patient Information Centre
2026 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref: PIC/489/0626 June 2026 V9
Review date 2028
Website: www.