Quality Approved Resource logoThis leaflet may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without the permission of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Man and woman shaking hands and smiling

Welcome guide

This guide gives easy read details you will find useful during your stay at:

  • Tweed unit
  • Alwinton ward

Staff will also give you a service leaflet about your ward.

Two people are reading a document. One person is pointing to the page and talking.

Staff or a carer can support you to read this booklet. They will be able to answer any questions that you have.

Use the spaces to write staff names
Your named nurse is:
Your consultant is:
The ward manager is:
Two people shaking hands

Arriving on the unit

You will be met by the nurse in charge.

They will make sure you know why you are here.

They will explain what will happen during your stay. 

A woman talking and a man listening

You will be asked lots of questions. 

This information will help the nurses
to care for you.

Your family or support worker can be with you when you arrive.

A man holding a shirt and tracksuit top

One of the nursing staff will help you to unpack your things.

They will make a list of everything you brought with you.  

Close up of two hands shaking

Staff will show you around the unit.

They will introduce you to other patients if you wish.

A woman surrounded by circles. In the circles are thinks like other care staff, friends, family, help with travel and getting around.

Your named nurse will help you with your day to day care.

This may include shopping and helping you keep in touch with loved ones. 

A patient with a group of staff behind her

Nursing staff will stay with you until you have settled in.

They will tell you about the unit and answer any questions you or your family might have.

A nurse taking a persons blood pressure

Health checks

A doctor will check that you are well. They will ask you questions about yourself.

The doctor may ask for some other tests, like a blood test. If you agree this will be done by the doctor or nurse.

A document with My Plan on the front cover

This information will be used to plan your treatment.

We want to help you get home as soon as possible. 

A box and small bottle of medication

Medicines Information Helpline

You or your carer can ring the Helpline if you have questions about your medication.

Telephone: 0191 245 6604

You can call between 9am and 5pm.

A person reading an easy read mental health act leaflet

Mental Health Act 1983

If you have been admitted to hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983, your rights will be explained to you.

We will talk to you and your family about this and give you a leaflet.

Someone filling in a form

Consent

You will always be involved in making decisions about your life, care and treatment.

Staff will give you a leaflet about this.

A woman in a dark blue nurses uniform

Who will look after me?

The ward manager is in charge of the unit.

A group of staff holding up a sign saying Team

All of the team will support you and be involved in caring for you.

You can talk to any of the staff if you have any concerns, worries or questions about your treatment.

A woman with a white uniform and a stethoscope around her neck

You will have a consultant in charge of your treatment.

The consultants at this hospital may be psychiatrists, psychologists or nurses.

A group of staff

Other staff involved in your care:

  • Advocate
  • Podiatrist
  • Dentist
  • Dietician
  • GP
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Pharmacists
  • Physiotherapist
  • Arts Therapist
  • Psychologist
  • Speech and Language Therapist
  • Social Worker
  • Community Nurse
  • Patient Advice and Liaison Office
  • Positive Behaviour Support Nurse
Two people shaking hands

A buddy can help you settle in

They will:

  • Be a friendly person
  • Help show you how to behave on the ward
A group of people shaking hands
  • Help you meet staff and other patients
Two people sitting at a table and eating a meal together
  • Sit with you at meal times
A person playing a guitar
  • Help you do things that you enjoy
A variety of activities like card games, bowling and listening to music
  • Spend time doing activities with you
A person holding a sign that says now and next
  • Help you learn about the daily routines on the ward
A group of different religious symbols

Staff will help support you with religious or cultural needs.

You can talk to a chaplain if you would like.

A list of items not allowed on the ward

Items you may be able to bring when it is safe to do so

Various coins and notes

Will I need money?

You should bring a small amount of money.

You can look after it yourself or staff can keep it safe.

Woman with money in front of her and an official brown envelope from the Department of Work and Pensions

Your main benefits will still be paid while you are in hospital.

You might have to get you money a different way. The nurses will talk to you about this.

Dining room table with 4 chairs around it

What will I eat?

There is a dining room for you to eat your meals.

There is a menu for you to choose your meals from.

A sandwich and a plate with omelette and salad

Snacks and drinks are available.

If you need a special diet let the nurse know as soon as possible.

The staff encourage you to eat a healthy, balanced diet.

Clock showing the time of 8am

Mealtimes

Breakfast

8am to 9am (weekends are later)

Clock showing the time of 12 noon

Lunch

12 noon to 1pm

Clock showing the time of 4pm

Dinner

4pm to 6pm

Clock showing the time of 9pm

Supper

9pm

Two people using gym equipment

What can I do during the day?

There are lots of activities you can do.

Some are part of your treatment and others are for leisure.

A group of 7 people sitting around a table

The nurses and therapists will be there to support you.

Your named nurse will let you know what sessions and activities are available.

Document with NHS Care written on the front

Our Model of Care

This means what we do in hospital and how we work with you.

Our model will help you understand how to move on from hospital and get back to the community. 

People talking around a table

We have different meetings to talk about how you are doing.

You can join the meetings. 

A group of people talking and shaking hands

If you agree, staff can talk to your family and carers. This helps them understand your care and treatment.

Two people shaking hands with a checklist labeled 'Plan' in the background.

Your plan

We will work with you to plan your care. 

Staff will help you fill in booklets about yourself.

Person holding a checklist sheet with green ticks

You can tell us:

  • what you are good at
  • what you need help with
  • what you would like to do in the future
Two men sitting on a bench shaking hands.

We will help you:

  • keep doing the things you can do
  • learn new things
  • get better at doing things
A woman in a black outfit taking notes while talking to a man in a plaid shirt.

You can tell staff how you think you are doing.

Staff will also tell you how we think you are doing.

If we need to change your plan, we will do this with you.

Recovery Star Secure

Secure services help keep you safe. We can also help you make changes for a better life.

We will work with you on your mental health. This is about how your mind feels.

We will help you manage strong feelings and addictive behaviours. 

Addictive behaviours are things you may find hard to stop doing

We help with relationships, social skills and risks to others.

This means getting on well with other people and making sure you don't hurt anyone.

We will support activities you enjoy and your physical health.

This is about how your body feels.

We will also help you build trust and hope.

Trust means believing people will help you. Hope means feeling positive about the future. 

These things can help make life better.

Smoking

The hospital has a no smoking policy on all wards and public areas.

Staff can help you to give up smoking.

A person vaping. Underneath is a selection of vape devices

To support you to stop smoking, vaping is allowed. But only outside, not on the ward.

Your nurse will speak to you about this.

Four people sitting on a sofa

Can I have visitors?

You can have visitors. It is best for them to phone before they come to check you are in.

If children would like to visit please check with the nursing staff first.

A woman helping a man get in to a car

You may be able to leave the unit with your visitors. You will need to talk to your named nurse about this.

It is good for your family and friends to keep in touch with you.

Close up of a hand writing on an envelope

Letters

Any letters will be given to you unopened.

Staff can help you read a letter if you wish.

Staff will help you write a letter if you need help.

A man talking smiling and holding a phone to his ear

Using the phone

You can use the phone to call your friends and relatives.

Put the ward telephone number into this space
The telephone number is:
 

Useful phone numbers

The numbers will be filled in by your named nurse
Main Switchboard                                                          
Advocacy  
Patient Advice and
Liaison Service (PALS)		  
Social Worker  
Social Services and
Benefits Advice		  
Community Nurse  
Carers Centre (National)  
Local Carer Centre  
Other important numbers  
A nurse waving goodbye to a patient holding a document with a green tick

Discharge from hospital

We will work with you to plan your discharge soon after you come into hospital.

Carers will be involved in the planning of any discharge.

A person standing inside the outline of a house, with pictures of utility bills, bank statement, money and keys

Think about these before you leave:

  • Do you have somewhere to live?
  • Is your housing secure and safe to live in?
  • Do you have your keys?
  • Is your gas and electricity connected?
  • Are your finances sorted out?
A man holding a document and another man pointing to it

Staff on the ward will be able to help you with any questions that you have and give you the number of the crisis team.

Have your say easy read leaflet cover

Problems, complaints or suggestions

We have a complaints policy. We will give you a leaflet about how to make a complaint.

If you think that we could improve our service let a nurse know your idea.

Health Information

Help and advice outside the hospital

Laptop, mobile phone and an envelope with Freepost written on it

Get involved

Sign up to become a Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust member

Group of people around a table voting with green cards

Membership is completely free and as a member you can:

  • Give your views on the Trust’s plans and any issues that interest you
  • Vote in the Governor Elections or stand as a Governor yourself
  • Receive regular information about the Trust

Photosymbols Logo

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, BSL or other languages). Please telephone the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2024 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/911/0824 August 2024 V1
Review date 2027

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
Find us on social media, search for CNTW