Post Covid Psychology Service

We are a specialist psychological support service for people with post-covid syndrome in Haringey and Islington.

 

We understand that post-covid syndrome can be distressing and may influence the persons mood, their relationships, activities, spirituality, or other areas of life. The Post-Covid Psychology Service works with people who are struggling with the impact of post-covid syndrome upon their lives. Psychology input focuses on helping people to live with the impact of their physical health condition, to build on their existing strengths and resources, to explore ways of coping and to learn and practice new strategies.

 

Key areas of input:

 

 

The post-covid psychology service strives to be an inclusive and respectful service that supports people of all ages and from all walks of life. Our psychology team have experience of working with individuals (and their significant others) with a diverse range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and life experiences, perspectives, and priorities. We commit to adapting our input as needed to meet the needs of minoritized sections of our communities (e.g. ethnically minoritized groups, LGBTQ+ communities).

 

Referrals can be made by any member of the Community Post-Covid Service or Respiratory team (e.g., Occupational Therapist, Nurse, Consultant).

 

Prior to the referral, it is important that the referrer discusses the option of psychological input with the individual in order to explain how this could benefit them and to obtain consent for a referral.

 

If patients do not feel able to wait until their next appointment, they (or someone on their behalf) can contact the pathway coordinator / administrator of their relevant team. The administrator can inform the most recently seen healthcare professional of this request for a referral. The healthcare professional can then arrange this referral (unless there are clear reasons why they think this is not appropriate).

 

Post-Covid Community Service: 020 3074 2426 or whh-tr.postcovidservice@nhs.net
Whittington Hospital Respiratory Team: 020 7288 5353

 

The healthcare practitioner makes a referral through the electronic system. The referral will include the main reasons the person is wanting psychological support, what they hope to gain from the sessions, and their contact phone number and email.

Once we have received the referral, our team will triage the referral and then contact the patient to either book them in for an assessment or let them about other services which might better suit their needs.

 

In the assessment we will ask a bit more about the persons’ current difficulties, their life in general and a bit about any relevant history. We will then agree a plan based on what best suits the persons’ individual needs and hopes for any psychological therapy. If we think this service is best placed to help the patient, then we will add them to our waiting list for therapy sessions. If we think another service would better suit their needs, we will discuss the options with them.

 

We offer around 6 therapy sessions with a psychologist in the team. Currently, we offer face to face and, where appropriate, virtual/phone sessions.