Diabetes Patients

About Our Services

The Psychology team for Diabetes services sees people who have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. If as a consequence of their diabetes individuals experience anxiety, depression or adjustment issues then a referral to psychology would be appropriate.

We work closely with the diabetes multi disciplinary team to help to provide holistic patient care.

The team include Clinical Psychologists, Health Psychologists and Counsellors who all have experience of working with patients with physical health problems.

Referrals

Outpatients are referred by their G.P., Consultant Diabetologist or their Diabetes Nurse Specialist.

It is essential that patients have consented to a referral to the psychology department.

After they have been referred patients are sent an opt-in letter, they then need to contact the department either by phone or with the enclosed reply slip. Once they have responded they are then sent an appointment. This system has significantly reduced the number of patients not attending their first appointment.

Individuals have also self referred if they have previously been seen in the service and have contacted the department for further treatment.

Reasons for Referrals

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Needle phobia
• Concordance with treatment
• Illness management problems e.g. following diabetic regime
• Illness misconceptions
• Complex treatment decisions
• Weight loss - as part of a multi disciplinary team approach

Available Treatments

Treatments are tailored to individual needs and include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Pacing and Goal setting
• Desensitisation programmes for phobias
• Problem solving approaches
• Integrated therapy approaches
• Client centered counselling
• Systems - multidisciplinary approaches

Where We Provide Services

Outpatients are seen in clinics at; St. Luke's hospital, in the Diabetes unit at the Bradford Royal Infirmary, Westwood Park DTCM, Manningham Health Center or Windhill Green surgery.

Appointment Times

Outpatient appointments are available Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm. However, some clinics are only available on certain days for example Westwood Park is available on Friday mornings. Appointments are an hour long. Patients may be seen for one session or could be seen for weekly or fortnightly sessions for several months depending on need.

Waiting Times

Patients are usually seen within a few weeks of responding to the opt in request. However, due to the high demand for the service we do sometimes have a short waiting list. When a waiting list is in place urgent referrals are seen within 2-3 weeks of responding to the opt in.

Other Information

We provide patient information leaflets when appropriate. In addition a leaflet about the psychological impact of diabetes and access to psychology services is available from the diabetes satellite clinics.

For more information contact

Psychology Services
St Lukes Hospital
Little Horton Lane
Bradford
BD5 0NA
Telephone: 01274 365176
Fax: 01274 365177