Call our free helpline
If you’re in financial crisis and live in England or Wales, please call 0808 2082138 for free (open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) to talk confidentially to a trained Citizens Advice adviser. They will talk to you about the problems you’re facing and provide support to help you manage your money, navigate the benefits system, and identify any other grants you might be entitled to. If you need one, they’ll issue you with a food bank voucher so you can get an emergency food parcel.
The Silver Line helpline is free confidential telephone service just for older people. Providing friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call free on 0800 470 80 90
Out of hours emergency contacts
(Information retrieved from Gateshead Council website 19.12.22)
Only phone the numbers on this page in a genuine emergency.
When there is an immediate threat to health or safety you need to contact the Police, Fire Brigade or Ambulance Service. In an emergency, dial 999 or 112.
| Service | Contact details |
| Accident and emergency (A&E) | An A&E department will treat serious injuries and sudden illness. If it is not an emergency then you should visit a local pharmacy, contact your local doctor (GP) or NHS Direct. Gateshead Emergency Department (A&E) Queen Elizabeth Hospital Sheriff Hill Gateshead NE9 6SX 0191 482 0000 |
| Anti-social behaviour or other incidents not classed as an emergency | Northumbria Police 03456 043 043 |
| Dentists and doctors surgeries | In an emergency, you can usually call your local surgery for a recorded message explaining how to contact the doctor or dentist on duty. If you are not registered with a doctor or dentist, you can use the NHS website to find your local GP, urgent care services, general health advice and information. |
| Extreme weather / flooding | Advice and information on floods and flood warnings, Floodline 0845 988 1188. Or Environment Agency 0800 807 060. |
| Fire Brigade | Dial 999 or 112 in an emergency. Local fire officers can provide helpful advice about fire safety. For details of your Local Fire Safety Office, contact Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service or call 0191 444 1500. |
| Homelessness | Get help if you are homeless or at risk of being made homeless. Freephone number 0800 953 7112 Call 0191 433 3174, Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 8.45am to 4.30pm. Emergency phone service – 0191 477 0844, 6pm to 8am weekdays and 24 hours on weekends housingadvice@gateshead.gov.uk Drop-in sessions with other agencies, including the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), Community Re-habituation Company (CRC), Northumbria Probation Service (NPS) and Approved Premises. Call 0191 433 3714 to arrange an appointment. |
| Household emergencies | If your power supply is interrupted contact Northern Powergrid or call 0800 668 877. If you smell gas anywhere, either in the house or in the street contact National Grid or call 0800 111 999. For water and sewerage services contact Northumbrian Water or call 0345 717 1100. |
| Housing | We’re responsible for repairing and maintaining council properties. There is a repair category system with response time targets for various types of repair. The response times take into account danger and inconvenience. Report a repair or call 0800 408 6008. |
| Social care | The Emergency Duty Team provides an emergency social care service to anyone living in Gateshead who needs help outside office hours, at night, weekends and bank holidays. Call 0191 477 0844. |