Frequently asked questions:
Q. Does this mean I have a mental
health illness?
A. The majority of our patients do not
have a mental health illness. However
they may have distress, anxiety or
depression which are often
understandable responses to their life
experiences e.g. loss, trauma and
health related problems. We offer help
to people whose emotional wellbeing
has been affected by their physical
health.
Q. How much of my information is
confidential?
A. With your agreement it is likely that
relevant information will be shared with
the person who referred you, your GP
and anyone else involved in your care.
Confidentiality will be discussed further
during your first appointment.
Directions
The department is on the first floor of
the main hospital building. As you
come through the main entrance, by
the security window, take the first
corridor on your left, you will find the
department reception at the top of the
stairs.
Further information

If you require any further information
after reading this leaflet, please
contact:
Department of Clinical Health
Psychology,
Warwick Hospital,
Lakin Road,
Warwick, CV34 5BW
Tel: 01926 495321 ext 4417
(Monday - Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm)
Fax: 01926 608058
e-mail: psychology@swft.nhs.uk
As a key provider of acute healthcare and as
an employer, the Trust has a statutory
obligation to promote and respect equality
and human rights. This is set out in various
pieces of legislation including: Race
Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, Disability
Discrimination
Act
(2005),
Sex
Discrimination Act (1975) and the Age
Discrimination Act (2006)
Our information for patients can also be
made available in other languages, Braille,
audio tape, disc or in large print.
PALS
We offer a Patient Advice Liaison Service
(PALS). This is a confidential service for
families to help with any questions or
concerns about local health services.
You can contact the service by the direct
telephone line on 01926 600 054 or using
the phone links which are available in both
hospitals or calling in at the office located in
the main entrance at Warwick Hospital.
DEPARTMENT OF
CLINICAL HEALTH
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychological
Services
Explained
Version: 1
Publication Date: December 2010
Review Date: December 2013
Catalogue Number: SWH 00478
About the department
What happens once I have
been referred?
We are a team of Clinical
Psychologists based at Warwick
Hospital, providing a specialised
clinical health psychology service to inpatients and outpatients. We see
patients when health difficulties are
impacting
on
their
emotional
wellbeing.
We have a waiting list and you may
have to wait up to three months to be
seen. You will then receive a letter
inviting you to contact the department
to arrange an appointment. In urgent
cases we may telephone you to
arrange to see you quickly.
What is a Clinical
Psychologist?
How long will my treatment
be?
Clinical Psychologists are health
professionals who have specialist post
graduate training in the practical
application
of
psychological
knowledge in ways that help reduce
distress and enhance psychological
and physical well-being. Clinical
Psychologists are not medically
trained like Psychiatrists and therefore
do not prescribe medication such as
antidepressants. Their work aims to
maximise people’s independence and
autonomy.
The appointment is normally held in
the department at Warwick Hospital
and lasts approximately 50 minutes.
The number of appointments you have
will vary from person to person
depending on need. During your first
appointment an assessment will be
carried out and the course of therapy
appropriate for you will be discussed.
How am I referred?
We take referrals from health
professionals within the hospital and
from GP’s.
What treatment will be
offered?
Clinical Psychologists provide talking
therapy using a range of psychological
approaches.
Some of the emotional, psychological,
and health problems we can help you
manage include:







Adjustment an illness or lifelong
condition such as cancer
Coping with uncertainty and
change due to illness
Managing the demands of work
and home whilst caring for
yourself
Feelings of depression / anxiety
Anxiety about medical / surgical
intervention e.g. needle phobia,
operations
Fertility and pregnancy related
problems e.g. stillbirth,
traumatic labour
Post traumatic stress disorder
related to a medical condition
What is expected of me?
To gain the most from your sessions it
is important that you work together
with the psychologist as it is an active
process that needs your participation.
We may ask you personal questions
which we would ask you to answer
honestly. You may be asked to
complete some work in-between
sessions, which will allow you to gain
the most from therapy.
It is also important that you can
commit to regularly attending and that
when you are unable to make an
appointment you let us know by
contacting
the
department
in
advance.