Accessing the service
Referrals are accepted from Consultant Rheumatologists and their teams, Clinical Nurse Specialists and Allied Health Professionals such as Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists who work in Rheumatology services within Royal Wolverhampton Trust. People referred to our service must have a GP within South Staffordshire.
What conditions do we see?
People are referred with a variety of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, other chronic pain conditions.
Why are people referred to psychology when they have a physical health condition?
We know that dealing with a physical health condition affects peoples' lives in many ways. Often it affects their mood, their relationships and psychological wellbeing.
What do we do?
An initial assessment will help us identify the input that might be appropriate for each person referred. We will then develop a plan around what input we may offer to help a person tackle their difficulties and we will set goals for us to work towards.
We work with people to help them come to terms with the changes in their life that have occurred as a result of their physical health condition e.g. experiencing anxiety or depression, dealing with losses that have occurred such as no longer being able to work, relationship changes etc. Sometimes we work with the partner or carer alongside working with the person who has been referred.
We may also work towards helping a person manage symptoms such as chronic pain and fatigue. This work may involve discussing past experiences that may have impacted on how a person copes with their current health condition.
Psychology input is time-limited but our aim is that the person who has been referred will have new skills and techniques that help them manage and improve their psychological wellbeing.