Respiratory Psychology
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1. About us
Respiratory Psychological Services is for adults (18 years old +) with a breathing condition who are experiencing related psychological difficulties and are being treated in Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust Respiratory Medicine. Our service provides specialist psychological support to individuals whose lives have been affected by their breathing condition(s).
We offer psychological assessment and possible individual therapy follow-up appointments on both an outpatient and inpatient basis. It may be considered whether it would be beneficial to have a family member or carer present during some of these appointments, or joint appointments with another member of your respiratory team. We may also be offering other talking therapy support in the future as we develop such as an asthma therapy group. During this assessment, we may recommend and refer you to other services for support depending on what you would benefit from.
Outpatient:
- Feeling anxious or having panic attacks related to your breathing condition
- Low mood or feeling upset
- Coping with adjustment, change and loss e.g. feeling angry
- Worries or fears about the future, and coping with uncertainty
- Adjusting to your diagnosis and loss of confidence
- Coping with pain, fatigue and breathlessness
- Coping with the effects of the condition on your self-esteem
- Managing the demands of home and family life
Inpatient:
- Feeling anxious or having panic attacks which limit your ability to have treatment such as inpatient physiotherapy.
- Low mood or feeling upset due to being in hospital and having difficult treatments and/ or seeing others unwell.
- Coping with adjustment, change and loss e.g. feeling angry
- Coping with uncertainty whilst you’re in hospital and having worries or fears about the future once you’re discharged.
- Adjusting to your diagnosis and loss of confidence e.g. accepting you may require oxygen therapy
- Coping with the effects of the condition on your self-esteem
2. Meet the team
Dr Leanne Messham Principal Clinical Psychologist and Lead for Respiratory Psychological Services
3. What can you expect at your appointment?
Outpatient:
On your first appointment you will meet with a clinician to discuss the support you need. If you are using our outpatient service, you will be offered a face-to-face appointment however we can still provide video or telephone appointments if this is more suitable for you. We can also help arrange hospital transport, translators and other specific requirements you may have to help you to attend and make use of the appointment.
This might be your first time talking to someone about your feelings. We understand that this can feel daunting. We will make sure to go at your own pace to enable you to feel comfortable.
Inpatient:
If you are currently in hospital, we will arrange a suitable time to meet you on the ward. We acknowledge that finding a quiet and confidential space can be difficult, but we will try to facilitate this as much as possible and adapt the appointment as needed.
General
After your referral we might contact you to arrange an initial assessment with a member of the clinical team. During the assessment we will ask questions about areas such as your emotional wellbeing, physical health, employment, and your family/friends. After we have met with you, we routinely write a letter summarising our discussion and the outcome of the assessment. We ask for your consent to copy in your GP and the person that referred you to our service/key clinician involved in your respiratory care.
4. Where will the Respiratory Psychology service be offered?
We are able to offer outpatient appointments at Calderdale Royal Hospital or at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary at Acre Mill Outpatients Level 2. Inpatient appointments will be offered at the Respiratory Wards (5) at Calderdale Royal Hospital.
5. How can you be referred to the service?
Outpatient:
If you think you would benefit from an assessment with our service, you can discuss being referred with a member of staff involved in your respiratory care at CHFT, for example a respiratory nurse, physiotherapist, or consultant.
Inpatient:
If you are currently a patient on the Respiratory Wards at Calderdale Royal Infirmary and feel you require some support with the psychological difficulties related to your respiratory condition, you can discuss a referral to our service with a member of staff involved in your respiratory care at CHFT. If you consent to a referral, we can arrange to visit you on the ward on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
6. Contact Us
Our secretary can be reached on 01422 222058 Monday to Friday during 8.30-4pm.
7. Other useful information
- 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
- PDF of compassionate breathing booklet – A compassionate approach to understanding breathing difficulties and emotional wellbeing A4
