Health Psychology FAQs

Can I self-refer to the Health Psychology Service?

Unfortunately, the Health Psychology service does not accept self-referrals. We can accept a referral from your GP or other health professional involved in your care.  

How do I make my first appointment?

Your referral will need to be accepted. Then you will be sent a letter inviting you to call us to book your first appointment.

How long will I have to wait for my first appointment?

We aim to offer you an assessment appointment date within 2-3 weeks of you contacting the service.  

Will my appointment be face to face?

We can now offer face to face appointments. We are still following NHS guidance for Covid-19. Our offer may need to change if the guidance changes.  

We are also able to offer remote appointments by video or telephone if you would prefer this.  

How long will I have to wait for my follow up appointment?  

Current waiting time between assessment and follow up is around 8 weeks.

Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?  

Yes, if you would prefer to have someone with you in your appointment this is fine. If you are being seen face to face, please let us know you will be bringing someone with you. This is so we can make sure we can seat you comfortably.  

If you are having a telephone or video appointment, please tell your clinician at the start of the appointment that there is someone with you.

Are video appointments done using Zoom?  

We mostly use a system called Airmid for our video appointments rather than Zoom or a similar service. This is because Airmid is secure and approved for use by the NHS. It works in a similar way to Zoom. You don't need to download anything to be able to use it. We will send you information about how to use it when we make your appointment.

You can find out more information about video appointments on our Appointment Information page.

Will I see the same clinician for my assessment and follow up?  

Sometimes yes. If your assessing clinician thinks it would be best for you to continue work with them then they can pick you up for your follow up appointments.  

Sometimes, you may be able to have a follow up appointment sooner with another clinician. If this is the case, we will always let you know that you are seeing another member of the team.

You will always see the same clinician for all your follow up appointments

Can I cancel or change an appointment?

Yes, you can cancel by calling the service as soon as you know you are not able to attend. We will rebook you into another available slot.  

Psychological input works best when appointments are attended regularly. We suggest that before opting-in to the service you make sure you can attend appointments regularly. If you do not attend your appointments, you could be discharged from the service.  

I've been to the service before. Can I be re-referred?  

Yes, you can. We recommend a gap of at least 6 months between blocks of sessions. After this time, you might feel like you need further support. Please speak to your GP or other medical professional involved in your care, who can talk about the different options with you. If it is appropriate, they can re-refer you to Health Psychology.

Can I have an evening / weekend appointment?  

The Health Psychology service operates from Monday to Friday only. Our last appointments are usually no later than 3.30pm.