Information for Patients
Whether you’re an inpatient, outpatient or attending one of our community-based services, our Northern Care Alliance (NCA) Family appreciates the importance of feeling prepared and informed.
There are several resources available to help you understand what to expect when you arrive:
- If you have access to our new online portal (see section below), you can view location and clinic information about your upcoming appointment.
- You can read one of our comprehensive range of patient leaflets, containing advice on medical conditions, procedures and treatments. Access a full A-Z list of medical conditions.
- If you’re unsure what service you require or have specific questions relating to your appointment, you should contact the relevant department directly.
The NCA has partnered with DrDoctor to provide patients with a convenient appointment reminder and rescheduling service.
Using text messages and a simple online portal, the system is designed to make it easier for you to manage your appointments at our hospitals and clinics. This straightforward, user-friendly service is being implemented across the Group.
In many cases, you can request to change or cancel your appointment by text message, or by logging onto the online patient portal, unless your appointment is within the following three days.
If we have your mobile number, you’ll receive appointment reminders by text message.
If we only have your landline number, you’ll receive appointment reminders by voice message.
How to access your online portal
Follow the link in your text message or email, or visit the Dr Doctor portal.
From there, you’ll be able to log in by:
- typing in your name, date of birth and postcode
- entering the one-time verification code which will be sent to your mobile
Once online you can:
- view appointment details
- view location information, including Google Maps and floor plans
- view important clinic information which may include leaflets and videos
- add your appointment to your personal calendar
- request to change or cancel your appointment in some circumstances
How can the service help you and the NCA?
- by giving you better patient experience and choice
- by reducing the number of unattended appointments
- by reducing waiting times
Whether you need support with language or a disability, our team works to ensure our services are accessible to all patients and visitors.
Our sign language support and interpreter services cover more than 94 different languages to ensure you can easily communicate with our team.
If you require language support, please contact the Interpretation & Translation service on 0161 627 8770 who’ll be happy to help.
You’re welcome to bring any special equipment you require when you visit our hospitals and there are wheelchairs available at all sites. If you require one, we recommend contacting the hospital before your appointment. And please ensure you have a £1 coin (refunded on return) for the use of a wheelchair.
Assistance dogs are welcome in our hospitals and disabled parking is located near to main entrances at each of our hospital sites.
If you’re a carer or have one yourself, please advise the nursing staff in the clinic so they can take your needs into account.
Please read our updated Privacy Policy.
The TVs on the inpatient wards are owned and operated by Hospedia, an external provider. The charges are set by, and payable to, Hospedia.
At the outbreak of the Covid pandemic when visiting restrictions had to be put in place, it was agreed to meet the costs for the Hospedia service out of hospital budgets. However, the Trust does not have a set budget for this and can no longer continue to meet these costs, and regrettably must pass these back to the patient. We have asked Hospedia to communicate this to patients wishing to access the TV service.
The Trust appreciates this will be disappointing to our patients, and regrets any upset or inconvenience this may cause. Whilst we accept it may be a less than ideal alternative, patients can access our free Wi-Fi system to stream ITVX, More4, BBC iPlayer, Netflix and other streaming services via their personal device.
The Northern Care Alliance is a smoke free organisation including all buildings, grounds and car parks, this is to improve our environment for patients, visitors and staff.
While you are in hospital, keeping you safe and well is a priority for the staff looking after you. There are also some simple things you can do to help keep yourself safe during your hospital stay, such as asking for help when needed, protecting yourself from slips and falls and helping to prevent blood clots.
The NHS England National Patient Safety Team have created a video and leaflet providing tips on keeping yourself safe during your hospital stay.
- Video – standard version
- Video – British Sign Language (BSL) version
- Leaflet (links to NHS England website)