Introduction
The treatment of gynaecological cancers can be complex and can sometimes require many different specialities, across more than one hospital. All hospitals in the North of England and North Cumbria work together within the Northern Cancer Alliance for gynaecological cancers. For this reason, you may be offered treatment at more than one hospital in the region.
This information leaflet is to provide you with the necessary travel information you may need should care be needed in a hospital other than your local hospital.
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4LP
Telephone: 0191 233 6161
Website: www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk
Transport
The RVI is situated in the heart of Newcastle city centre. It is easily accessed via public transport or by car.
- Car. Newcastle city centre is easily accessible, and well sign posted if driving, with major road routes straight to the centre from both the North (A1) and South (A1M) and from the West (A69). If you have a satnav system, the postcode to enter for the RVI is NE1 4LP.
- Parking. We have a very limited number of patient and visitor spaces available at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and if travelling by car please allow extra time for your journey as our car parks can be extremely busy and you may need to queue or be asked to circulate the site until spaces become available.
- We would advise visitors give themselves enough time to park and walk to their appointment location and arrive 15 minutes early for this. As a city centre hospital, it can get very busy for parking, and this should be considered when planning your visit. Oneway systems are in operation on the site. Please ensure you follow all signage and road markings.
- There is a ‘Pay on Foot’ Multi Storey Car Park, which can be accessed from Queen Victoria Road. Please be aware there is now a one-way system on Queen Victoria Road.
There is ‘Pay on Foot’ parking available outside the New Victoria Wing (accessed from Queen Victoria Road) and another outside the Leazes Wing (accessed from Richardson Road).
There are a number of council managed pay and display parking spaces along Queen Victoria Road, Richardson Road and the surrounding area. Payment with coins or using the mobile phone app PayByPhone.
Parking charges
Tariffs are in place across all our hospital sites and signage is in place. Parking is free up to 30 minutes, but after that there is a charge. Please check Newcastle Hospitals website for up-to-date charges www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk
If you are on a low income or meet specific qualifying benefits or allowances and your journey meets certain criteria, you may be eligible for reimbursement in part or full for any fares incurred when travelling to one of our hospitals under the hospital travel costs scheme https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/healthcare-travel-costsscheme-htcs/
To claim travel expenses, on the day of your appointment you should bring proof that you receive a means-tested benefit. This could be tax credits or income support. Bring the bus, train or metro tickets you have used and ask for a travel expenses claim form at the department you attend. You can find out more information about help with travel costs to receive NHS treatment
Disabled parking
Blue badge holders may park in standard bays and designated disabled bays within car parks but may not park in drop-off bays, on double yellow or red lines or in any spaces with specific designation e.g. ambulance bay, maternity bay. Blue badge rules apply, and the badge should only be used when the holder is present either at point of arrival or departure. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-blue-badge-scheme-rights-andresponsibilities-in-england
- Metro. The nearest Metro station is the Haymarket. It is a 5 to 10-minute walk. From Haymarket on foot – either walk through the University campus, or up St. Thomas’ Street, until you reach the Queen Victoria Road.
- Bus. The nearest bus station is also at the Haymarket, or Eldon Square bus station (next to the Haymarket bus station), depending on the service you have used and where you have come from.
- Train. The nearest railway station is Central Station. You can walk from the station to the RVI – but this can take 20 to 25-minutes. Central Station has a Metro, bus and taxi links that can also take you to the RVI.
For outpatient appointments, gynaecological oncology patients are usually seen in either:
- Women’s Health Unit – in the New Victoria Wing (off Queen Victoria Road) on level 2, behind the food court.
- Outpatient Clinic G – in New Victoria Wing on level 1, along from the Costa coffee shop.
Patients requiring surgery are typically cared for on Ward 40 – on Level 4 in Leazes Wing, off Richardson Road.
Freeman Hospital – Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC)
Freeman Road, High Heaton. Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE7 7DN
Telephone: 0191 2336161
Website: www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk
The Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) is based at the back of the Freeman Hospital and has its own entrance. Patients who are referred for chemotherapy and/ or radiotherapy treatments are seen by the oncology teams in the outpatients department of NCCC, on level 2. The outpatient’s department is the right-hand side, past the lifts when you walk in from this entrance.
Transport
The Freeman Hospital is at the North of Newcastle, in High Heaton. It can be easily accessed by public transport or by car.
- Car. Newcastle is easily accessible if you are driving, with major road routes straight to the centre from the North (A1) South ,(A1M) and West (A69). If you have a satnav, the postcode for the Freeman Hospital is NE7 7DN.
- Parking. Patient and visitor car parking spaces are available at the front and rear of the hospital. There is also a multi storey care park, at the back of the hospital, across from the NCCC, of which visitors can use Levels 0, 1 and 2. Please note the other levels in the carpark are staff parking only.
- Metro. The nearest Metro station to the Freeman and NCCC is Longbenton . This is a 15 to 20-minute walk, following leaving the station and crossing over Benton Park Road to Cosgrove Court. Stay on this path and it will bring you to the rear of the hospital, and at the front of NCCC entrance. There is also South Gosforth metro, which can take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to walk and does involve an incline. Turn right onto Station Road and follow the road down to the double roundabout. Cross over the first roundabout and then turn right onto Freeman Road at the second roundabout. Walk up the hill and the hospital is at the top on the left-hand side.
- Bus. The hospital is served by a number of local buses. See www.nexus.org.uk or call Traveline 08712002233 for specific journey information.
- Train. The nearest train station is Central station, which is in the centre of Newcastle, and so Metro, Bus and Taxi links to Freeman would be required if coming by train.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead
Sheriff Hill, Gateshead. Tyne and Wear. NE9 6SX
Telephone: 0191 482 0000
Website: www.qegateshead.nhs.uk
Some surgery for gynaecological cancers is performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
- If this is the case, you will be asked to attend for a clinic appointment to see one of their gynaecology surgeons. This appointment is held in the Colposcopy department – this does not mean you require a colposcopy.
- You will find the department entering from Entrance C on Windy Nook Road. Colposcopy can be found next to chaplaincy on the ground floor, on the left-hand side. It is closest to carpark 2.
- Patients who have to undergo surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, are typically cared for on ward 26, in the Peter Smith Surgery Centre, Level 1.
Transport
- Car. The post code is NE9 6SX, for satnav.
- Parking. Car parking is available on site. The closest car park to Colposcopy department is car park 2. There is also very limited parking outside the Jubilee Wing for patients. Alternatively, there is also car park 1, at the main entrance. Free parking is available for 15 minutes only – for the most up to date information on parking and fees please visit www.qegateshead.nhs.uk
- Metro. The nearest Metro station to the hospital is Gateshead Interchange. This is a 45 to 50-minute walk up Sheriff Hill, and so further public transport would usually be needed. Local bus (21, 56, 57) and Taxis are available outside the Gateshead Interchange, that would then be able to take you to the QEH.
- Bus. From Gateshead interchange the 21, 56 and 57 would take you to the hospital. If coming from elsewhere check on www.nexus.og.uk or Travel line for further information.
- Train. The nearest train station is Central Station in Newcastle. A metro from Central station can take you to Gateshead Interchange for local buses, but there is also taxi rank outside the station, that could take you to the Interchange or to the hospital direct.
Macmillan Cancer Support and information centre
Macmillan Cancer Support provides specialist support and information to people affected by cancer. It looks at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaigns for better cancer care. You and your family can get help and access support from local Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centres.
Here in Newcastle, our centre is based at Freeman Hospital, within the Northern Centre for Cancer Care.
When you enter the cancer centre Macmillan support is on the right hand side just before the outpatient’s department. You do not need to be referred or have an appointment, you can just drop in between 10.00am and 4.00pm, Monday to Friday, to ask a question, browse the information or speak with a member of the team.
Telephone: 0191 213 8611
Email: [email protected]
The Macmillan Helpline is also available 7 days a week from 8.00am to 8.00pm on 0800 808 0000 if you wish to speak with someone.
The Macmillan online community forum is also available 24 hours a day, in a safe environment, at www.macmillan.org.uk
Further parking information
If you need any further information about parking at any Newcastle hospital sites, please contact our transport department on 0191 223 1353 or email [email protected]
Office hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm
Out of hours enquiries please contact 0191 3336161 and request security.
PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) for help, advice and information about NHS services. You can contact on freephone 0800 032 02 02.
Accessibility
If you would like to find accessibility information for our hospitals, please visit www.accessable.co.uk
