The Mental Health and Deafness Service provides a service for Deaf people who have mental health difficulties in the North East and North Cumbria. The lead provider for the service is Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust (CNTW). The service for Durham, Darlington and Teesside is delivered by Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) on behalf of CNTW.
From Monday 6 January 2025, the Mental Health and Deafness Service in Durham, Darlington and Teesside will no longer by delivered by TEWV and will be delivered directly by CNTW.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this change happening?
Being one team hosted by CNTW will enable the Mental Health and Deafness Service to improve access to a wider team of professionals and ensure equal service provision across the region.
I am currently open to the service in TEWV, what will change for me?
The level of care you currently receive will not change and you will have the same named nurse. You may have more contact with other members of the service depending on your individual needs.
The contact number and address for the service will change.
The address is:
Mental Health and Deafness Service
Walkergate Park
Benfield Road
Newcastle
NE6 4QD
The telephone number is 07584 339 539 – text messages will be checked and replied to regularly.
The email address is [email protected]
I am currently open to the Mental Health and Deafness Service in TEWV, will my community mental health team change?
No, your community mental health team will not change. The Mental Health and Deafness Service will continue to work with your secondary care team in TEWV.
I am currently open to the Mental Health and Deafness Service in TEWV, how will my electronic patient record change?
You will still have an electronic patient record using the current TEWV system. CNTW use a different electronic patient record, so you will have also have a record open on their system. CNTW follow the same confidentiality and data processing regulations as TEWV as both are NHS organisations. Your named nurse will ensure that clinical information is shared between your care teams appropriately.
Will I have to travel further to my appointments?
No, your appointments will continue to happen in their current location.
I am Deaf and live in the Durham, Darlington or Teesside area, how can I be referred to your service?
If you are Deaf and open to a community mental health team, you can be referred to the service by contacting your care coordinator or lead professional. They will complete a referral form to our service.
Who works in the Mental Health and Deafness Service?
- Christine Davidson – Team Manager / Occupational Therapist
- Emmanuel Chan – Nurse
- Heather Thomson – Nurse
- Donna Coombs – Nurse
- Emily Erceylan – Speech and Language Therapist
- Cheryl Young – Assistant Practitioner
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
If you are currently open to the Mental Health and Deafness Service, you can contact your named nurse/professional and they will be happy to answer any questions you have.
If you are not currently open to the Mental Health and Deafness Service, you can contact the main email address on [email protected]