Reviewed on : 3 Jul 2024

Reviewed by : James Parker Clinical Psychologist South Warks UFT

Expires : 3 Jul 2026

Psychological support offered to people living with cancer in South Warwickshire

A new team has recently been set up to expand the psychological support offered to people living with cancer, their partners, carers, and families in South Warwickshire

Coventry and Warwickshire ICB have provided funding for 18 months for a new team of therapists, offering a range of psychological support (Level 3 and Level 4)

The team is based with the Department of Clinical Health Psychology, now at Stratford Healthcare. The team has also incorporated a therapist from the local NHS Talking Therapy service into the new pathway to deliver a more integrated service

This is an opportunity for people impacted by cancer at any stage along their journey to access counselling and psychotherapy.

A wide range of confidential support and psychological interventions can be offered by the team made up of:

• Clinical Psychologist
• Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Cognitive behavioural therapist (NHS TT)

Location

We offer sessions face to face, via webcam and over the phone

The number of sessions offered depends on need but they usually last an hour and are scheduled weekly or bi-weekly

The approaches offered by the service are all talking therapies and as such medications such as antidepressants are not prescribed as part of our work

We offer therapy sessions at:

• Stratford Healthcare
• Aylesford Unit (Warwick)
• Rigby Unit (Stratford)

Who can be referred?

Patients, their partners, carers and families in South Warks. who are over 18 years old and impacted by cancer at any stage of their journey, who are experiencing:

• Above and beyond the expected level of distress
• Low mood, depression, fear and anxiety, and/or hopelessness associated with the cancer and/or its treatment
• Struggling with adjustment to the impact of the cancer diagnosis, symptoms or treatment
• Poor support and have limited coping strategies
• Relationship difficulties, perhaps heightened since the cancer diagnosis
• Anger around their experience of cancer, that is problematic to them or those around them
• Feeling vulnerable at certain points in their cancer journey
• Psychological trauma due to cancer diagnosis and/or treatment

How to refer:

Patients are prioritised and seen as quickly as possible for an initial assessment and, if appropriate, ongoing therapy

Patients can be referred in by sending a referral letter or completed referral form (see right):

Via email: Psychology@swft.nhs.uk

Via post:

Department of Clinical Health Psychology, SWFT, The Rowan Tree, Building 1, 2^nd Floor, Stratford Healthcare, Arden Street, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6NQ

Please do consider if this service would be of benefit to your patients, their partners, carers, or families. It is of note that this is not a service designed to support people with complex mental health needs and/or manage risk, and where concerns are identified onward referrals to the appropriate mental health teams may be made

SWFT continue to offer a psychology service to patients with a wide range pf physical health issues including palliative care, chronic pain, stroke, cardiac issues, long COVID, gastro-intestinal disorders, diabetes, maternity e.g. traumatic delivery, medically complicated pregnancy, pelvic pain, etc.. If you have any questions or need any further information, please do contact us:

Email: psychology@swft.nhs.uk

Tel: 01926 495321 Ext. 4417