Forensic Outpatient Department – Patient Information Leaflet

We hope this leaflet will provide you with the information you need whilst attending the Forensic Outpatients Department. If you are not sure of anything in this leaflet please ask a member of staff.

The department is an office building at Stephenson Court, St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle, where you will be invited to meet professionals who work within the forensic team.

The team consists of Psychiatrists, Nurses, Psychologists, Assistant Practitioners and students.

The service is for men and women over the age of 18 years and under 65 years who have been assessed as having an identified risk of causing significant harm to others (and in some cases themselves).

Your appointment letter will be sent through the post. This may be for an assessment interview or a review appointment. The department has meeting room facilities and group work is also provided here. You may also be invited to attend for an annual physical health check.

Involvement with the Forensic Outpatient Department will depend on your individual need. This will be reviewed by your care team.

The building is locked and entry is gained via an intercom system. You will need to press the buzzer on arrival and say who you are here to see. Please note thatno-one under the age of 18 is permitted in the department.

Once inside please sign in at the reception desk. The receptionist will help you with any questions you may have. The department has disabled access; if you need assistance please let the receptionist know in advance of your appointment.

Lockers are provided for personal possessions; please ask at reception if you would like to use one. The receptionist will give you a key. Certain items (contraband) are not allowed beyond the Reception area. There is a list in the waiting area to let you know which items must be placed in the lockers.

Following your appointment you may be able to reclaim your travelling expenses.

You can get help with necessary travel costs to receive NHS treatment through a referral by a doctor if you:
• Get, or are included in the award of, any of the following income related benefits:
– Income Support
– Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
– Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
– Working Tax Credit (WTC) with Child Tax Credit (CTC)
– WTC with a disability element or a severe disability element
– CTC but aren’t eligible for WTC
– Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
– You receive Universal Credit – net earnings less than £435

• are entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• are named on a valid HC2 certificate.

You may also be able to get some of your costs refunded if your name is on a current HC3 certificate.

If you aren’t in receipt of a qualifying benefit but are on a low income and your savings are less than £16,000 (or £23,250 if in a care home) you may be eligible for assistance with your travel costs.

For more information about travel costs go to: www.nhs.uk/healthcosts and use the search facility to look up NHS travel costs.

You will need to bring with you:

• Proof of your entitlement
• Proof of your attendance ie ask the department for a confirmation letter
• If you are travelling by public transport your bus or train tickets

Please note taxi fares will not be paid for.

Refunds will be given via the Patients’ Bureau on the main corridor St Nicholas Hospital, where you will be paid over the counter upon production of a valid book, form or certificate. Please ask one of the administrative staff in the Forensic Outpatient Department to verify your attendance before going to the bureau office.

Parking is limited on the hospital site; there is an hourly parking charge.

There is a café in the main hospital building which is open Monday to Friday, 9am-11.30am and 12 noon-2pm. There is also a lounge next to the café with vending machines for hot and cold drinks and snacks. The lounge remains open when the café is closed.

Contact Traveline: Tel: 0871 200 22 33

Website: www.traveline.info/

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. CCTV is also installed throughout the building – this is for monitoring purposes only.

If you would like an interpreter, this can be arranged prior to your appointment

There is a range of information leaflets in reception, together with a list of other available leaflets. Please ask at reception if the leaflet you would like is not there or you need any other information. Self help guides are available online at www.cntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp

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 Tel: 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 ones 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
Tel: 0800 032 0202
Email: [email protected]
Post: FREEPOST PALS

South of Tyne
Tel: 0800 328 4397
Text: 07825 061 035
Email: [email protected]
Post: Patient Advice and Liaison Service, Garden Lodge, Hopewood Park, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

9am – 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday
An answerphone is available at all times for you to leave a message. A member of the PALS team will aim to return your call as soon as possible.

• The NHS website
• Out of hours GP – Tel: 0845 600 5252
• Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) – Tel: 0800 032 02 02

Mark Scott Team Manger Forensic Community Team
Forensic Outpatients Department
Stephenson Court
St Nicholas Hospital
Jubilee Road
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT
Tel: 0191 245 6899
email: [email protected]

Monday to Thursday, 8.30am – 4.30pm
Friday, 8.30am – 4pm

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 (eg Braille, audio, larger print, easy read, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre Tel: 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2024 Copyright, Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
Ref, PIC/515/0624 July 2024 V6
www.cntw.nhs.uk Tel: 0191 246 7288
Review date 2027