Paediatric Diabetes Psychology
On this page
1. About us
The Paediatric Diabetes Clinical Psychology Service is here to support children, young people, and their families/carers to improve their emotional wellbeing and adjust to some of the difficulties associated with living with diabetes.
Our clinical psychologist works with children, young people, and their families in outpatient clinics, hospital, schools and online. They also work with other people in the team so families can get as much support as they need.
The service is for children and young people until they are 18 years old who have diabetes and are under the care of the paediatric diabetes team at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust.
2. Meet the team
Dr Megan McTiffin Clinical Psychologist
3. What can you expect at your appointment?
First appointments are usually 60 minutes long. Young people are usually seen with a family member/carer to begin with but can be seen alone if they prefer. In this appointment the psychologist will ask about how the young person and their family are adjusting to the diagnosis, the impact that diabetes is having on their life, and about other things that are going well or not so well in their life. The psychologist will only offer to help the young person if they want this.
At the end of the first appointment, the psychologist, and the young person and/or their family will plan together what to do next. This could include coming back to see the psychologist for further appointments, for either the young person or their families/carers, or it could be to arrange for the young person to see another service that might be better placed to help.
4. Where will the paediatric diabetes psychology service be offered?
Outpatient appointments are currently at the Rainbow Community Hub in Elland, but our clinical psychologist also works across the Huddersfield and Calderdale hospitals, local schools and can offer online appointments if this is preferred.
5. How can you be referred to the service?
Children, young people, and their immediate family or carers can speak to any member of the diabetes team during their regular clinic appointments about making a referral to psychology for them. Alternatively, they may choose to contact their named nurse in-between clinic appointments about this. Additionally, if one of the diabetes team feels it might be helpful for a young person to speak with the psychologist, they may contact families directly to suggest making a referral.
6. Contact Us
Our secretary can reached on 01422 222465 Monday to Friday during 8.30-4pm
7. Other useful information
- Night OWLS (8pm-8am) free on 0800 148 8244 or you could send them a text on 07984 376950 (charges may apply), or go to their website and use the chat function on www.wynightowls.org.uk
- Child Line (open until midnight) for free confidential support on 0800 1111
- YoungMinds crisis messenger (open 24 hours) is a free text support service for those in crisis TEXT YM to 85258
- HOPELineUK (open until midnight) free help to young people experiencing suicidal thoughts on 0800 068 4141, or send them a text on 07860039967, or email them on pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Samaritans Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress and despair. www.samaritans.org 116 123
