Psychology - Clinical Psychology Services - Haematology

Introduction

You may be reading this because you, or someone you care about has recently been referred to the Clinical Health Psychology service. Part of the service’s work is to support people to adjust to or cope with a diagnosis of a haematological condition.

Receiving a physical health diagnosis can understandably have a huge impact on people and it is common to find life harder than before. Often, people will notice emotional ups and downs with some common emotional experiences being shock, anger, worry, sadness, fear and loss, for example. It might also be that receiving this diagnosis feels like a relief due to finding an explanation for how you have been feeling. However, you might be feeling following your diagnosis, it is normal to worry or have concerns about the adjustment and management of your condition moving forward.

What is Clinical Health Psychology?

We are a department based at Salford Royal Hospital. We offer support to individuals with physical health conditions, with some of the conditions we work with being haematological cancers such as Leukaemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. Clinical Health Psychology helps people to cope with physical health conditions. It is a way of working with the whole person and looks at how health and illness affects our lives and how our own behaviours can impact upon our health in many ways. It can offer you a safe, private space to explore difficulties related to your health and different ways of coping.

What do we do?

We are a team of specialist psychological therapists who are trained to help people cope with their physical health problems, including Clinical, Counselling and Health Psychologists and CBT Therapists. We use a wide range of talking therapies to explore thoughts and feelings related to physical health problems.

Why might psychology be helpful?

There are a range of reasons that someone might feel that they would benefit from psychological support. The support we offer will be individualised to support your needs, including (but not limited to):

• Difficulties with adjusting to a diagnosis: sometimes being diagnosed with a haematological cancer can be really challenging. Therapy input might aim to help you to adjust to your new diagnosis and consider how you can best integrate it into your life so that you feel confident to move forwards with your condition
• Trauma relating to being diagnosed with or having to manage a haematological cancer: some people find the process of being diagnosed with a haematological cancer to be difficult. In addition, those diagnosed with a non-curable type of haematological malignancy can find this to be both difficult and distressing (for example, having a diagnosis of Myeloma). If you are experiencing symptoms of trauma, the psychology service can discuss this with you and offer psychological input to help
• Anxiety sometimes people feel quite stressed or anxious about their condition and the things they must do. Patients sometimes struggle with not needing treatment and being actively monitored, such as patients with Low-Grade Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia. Again, psychology can help to talk about these experiences and find ways to manage this anxiety, so it has less of an impact
• Low mood related to haematological conditions: if you feel that you can’t manage your condition, or if it makes you feel low, the psychology team can help to think about how to improve your mood and begin to feel more able to cope with physical health condition
• Haematological conditions can alter many areas of life including not being able to carry out own daily activities, loss of certainty, possibility of death, the instability of emotions (including fear, worry, sadness), reduction in self-esteem and experiencing a reduced quality of life. Psychological input can help to manage the fears and concerns throughout the course of the diagnosis
• Psychology offers a space to discuss difficulties with managing medical treatments and/or medications

What will happen after a referral has been made?

Your first session with us be an initial assessment, which lasts approximately 50 minutes. During this time, we will discuss your life, how you are currently coping and determine what support is best for you. We will ask you questions about your mood and mental health and will ask your permission to let the haematology team and your GP know some of what you have told us, so that they can also continue to support you. Sometimes following assessment, we will refer you to another service, or we may decide that we can add you to our waiting list. The support may be offered either individual or as part of a group. You will also be asked to complete some short questionnaires.
 
We can offer alternative methods of delivery, for example we can offer intervention over the phone, via video/online and face-to- face. It is important to note that mode of delivery will be dependent on the type of support you need, but this will be discussed in collaboration with you when you meet your therapist.

If you feel that therapy would be helpful for you, in line with current guidelines, the therapy will be tailored to meet your needs and usually lasts around 8-12 sessions; again, this will differ between individuals. Scheduled appointments are usually weekly or fortnightly. We aim to be as flexible as possible with days and times of your appointments and this will be discussed when you meet with your therapist.

Waiting times

There may be a long wait to access therapy; unfortunately, we are unable to inform you of specific waiting times as this can change. When you are on our waiting list, we aim to contact you every three months via telephone or letter.

Confidentiality

Your information and anything written down during your session will be kept private. Sometimes it is helpful to share information to achieve the best care for you. Your therapist will ask your permission before sharing information about you. However, there may be occasions where your information must be shared with other services, due to issues of safety for yourself and others. You will be informed if this is the case.

What if I have any further questions or concerns?

We understand a referral to a new service can be an anxiety- provoking time, and although we are unable to offer a drop-in service, we are happy to answer any questions you might have if you have been referred to us. You can contact us on 0161 206 5588 or email psychology.referrals@nca.nhs.uk

Additional Sources of Support

Palliative counselling service

A community-based counselling service where patients can be referred by their GP, any Health Professional or a member of the Voluntary sector, Clients can also self-refer – Contact number: 0161 2062362.

St Ann’s Hospice
The Being You Centre
For any queries, please contact:
* Heald Green 0161 498 3612
* Little Hulton 0161 702 5416

Community specialist palliative care nurse team (Salford)
Referrals can be discussed with any member of the community specialist palliative care team on 0161 702 5406.
 
Homeless Palliative Care Service
If youhave any questions or would like to discuss anything in detail please contact:
•    07725 957224 or emailing: nehgm.admissions-hg@nhs.net

Macmillan
The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Service at Salford provides free, confidential information and support on all aspects of cancer, including the practical, emotional, and financial impacts a cancer diagnosis can have, in a relaxed and supportive environment. Find out more by contacting:
•    0161 206 1455
•    salfordcancerinfo@nca.nhs.uk