Man and woman shaking hands and smiling

Welcome guide

This guide gives easy read information you will find useful during your stay.

Your named nurse will go through the guide with you when you are admitted. 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.

A member of 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 have come to the unit. 

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 your 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 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 doctor is talking to a patient

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

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

A nursing assistant holding a document

This information will be used to begin to plan your treatment so we can do everything we can to help you get better. 

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 is filling in a form and being helped by someone else

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.

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

The staff team will make sure your treatment is of a high standard. 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 could be:

  • 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
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 man holding a shirt and tracksuit top

What should I bring?

You should bring enough clothes to last two weeks.

Your clothes can be taken home to be washed or you can wash them on the unit. 

Toothpaste, shampoo bottle and a bar of soap

You will need:

  • toothpaste
  • things to wash or shower with
  • any other toiletries you like to use

You can bring your own towel if you would like to.

Medicine bottle, tablets, inhaler and a jar of cream

Bring any medicines, tablets, creams or inhalers with you that you use a lot.

Please give them to the nurse in charge who will keep them in a safe place.

Television

Electrical items will need to be checked by staff before you use them.

Various coins and notes

Will I need money?

You should bring a small amount of money. You can look after the money yourself or the 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 be paid while you are in hospital.

You might have to make other arrangements to get your money. The nurses will talk to you about this.

Images of items not to bring in

What should I not bring?

  • anything that is special
  • anything that is valuable
  • pets
  • lighter fuels
  • glass bottles
  • alcohol
  • illegal drugs
  • scissors
  • knives
  • cameras
  • pornographic material
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 8.15am

Mealtimes

Breakfast

8.15am (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

Clock showing the time of 9pm

Supper

9pm

A range of activities like listening to music, bowling, painting and gardening

What can I do during the day?

There is a range of activities that you can attend; 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.

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 group of people talking around a table

Staff will talk to you about your care.

If you agree, staff will also talk to your family and carers so they are involved in your care and treatment.

Smoking

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

Staff can help you to give up smoking.

A woman talking on the phone

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

It would be helpful if your relatives and friends could ring after dinner when the unit is quieter.

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

Put the ward telephone number into this space
The telephone number is:
 
A nurse waving goodbye to a patient holding a document with a green tick

How will my discharge be planned?

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

You might need to think about these things before you leave the ward:

  • 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

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has a complaints policy.

If you want to complain we will give you a leaflet to explain how to, or you can talk to a member of staff.

If you think there are things we could do to make our service better please tell a member of the team.

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  

Health Information

Help and advice outside the hospital

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

How can I 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
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/733/0325 March 2025 V4
Review date 2028

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk
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