Health Psychology Service

Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Trust operates a Health Psychology Service across North Derbyshire

Who are we?

The Health Psychology Service provides specialist psychological care and support to adults with physical health problems, including long-term conditions, remediable conditions and conditions that are life-limiting or terminal.
Among the most common conditions our patients have are chronic pain, chronic fatigue, cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, sexual health conditions, neurological conditions and respiratory disorders.

The service provides:
1. A specialist clinical health psychology service
2. Group-based Pain Management Programmes (in collaboration with physiotherapy colleagues)
3. Psychological consultancy, supervision and training to health care staff and others who work with people with physical health problems.
4. Specialist psychological assessment, psychological therapy and advice to adults with physical health problems, this includes help with:
• difficulties coming to terms with aspects of illness or diagnosis, including end of life issues
• low mood, anxiety and stress associated with illness and treatment
• coping with uncertainty about future health and treatment
• managing pain or other symptoms more effectively
• keeping control and independence
• adjusting to everyday life and recovering after a health problem and treatment
• coping with medication and making decisions about treatment
• making the best use of health care resources (including when to be in contact with GPs and hospital services)
• reducing the risk factors associated with poor health (e. g. overweight, smoking, stress)
• assisting relatives and carers who are closely involved with people with challenging physical health problems
• we also offer a service to people diagnosed with non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD) exploring the psychological influences on their symptoms. This is specifically through Consultant Neurologist referral.

How to access the service

People are referred by their GP or by certain other health professionals (for example, hospital medical teams) involved with their care. These professionals can either write a letter or telephone with details, and the Health Psychology Service will get in touch with the person referred shortly afterwards to offer the opportunity to arrange a suitable time to meet.

Where do we deliver services?

The Health Psychology Service is based at:
Walton Hospital, Whitecotes Lane, Chesterfield, S40 3HW.

We also offer appointments at a number of other locations, including:
Ashgate Hospice, Ashgate Road, Old Brampton, Chesterfield, S42 7JE.
Department of Pain Management, Chesterfield Royal Hospital.
Darley Dale Medical Centre, Columbell Way, Two Dales, Matlock, DE4 2SA.
Goyt Valley Medical Practice, Eccles Road, Chapel-en-le-Frith, SK23 9EQ.
Welbeck Road Health Centre, 1B Welbeck Road, Bolsover, Chesterfield, S44 6DF.
Scarsdale Clinic, Nightingale Close, Newbold Road, S41 7PF.
Rectory Road Surgery, Staveley, Chesterfield , S43 3UZ

What is people’s experience of our service?

Of those people completing contact, in excess of 99% of patients express satisfaction with service. In addition, the average (mean) reduction in levels of psychological distress is 50% , over 85% of patients’ aims from contact are mostly or completely met, and over 90% of patients report improved quality of life and feeling an improved ability to cope. With regard to use of health care services, over 40% of patients have or anticipate reducing GP /hospital visits and over 25% tell us they have reduced their use of medication.