A police helicopter was called out as part of an urgent search for a missing hospital patient who walked out without being discharged.
Officers were called just after 2.45pm on Friday to concerns for the welfare of a man who is a registered patient at St Nicholas Hospital, in Gosforth.
The man was reported to have left the hospital grounds and walked off without informing a member of staff.
The police helicopter was deployed and provided support to officers on the ground and the patient was swiftly located.
He was found safe and well at 3.30pm and is now back in hospital.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Shortly after 2.45pm today we received a report of concern for the welfare of a patient at St Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth.
"The man had left the hospital and walked off.
"Officers searched the area in a bid to locate him and he was found at 3.30pm safe and well and has since returned to hospital."
