[Pandoren]

I've been referred to the local Psychology unit in hospital (England) but haven't attended yet (the referral is still in paperwork stages) and I don't know what to expect. I wondered if anyone else had done it and what exactly they do.

Pandoren,

I don't have any experience with a psychology unit in hospital but I wanted to respond and say hello. I hope your paperwork goes by quickly and you are able to get the help you want.

[Pandoren]

Thanks It's moving slowly, I got the letter through from the docs today and he wants an appointment before he approves it, but what do you know, the doc surgery is shut on Thursdays...

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by a hospital psychology unit, but that may just be because you are from the UK. In the US hospital units are generally called psychiatric units because they are very medically based (read medications).

It sounds like maybe you are being referred to an outpatient hospital program? Would that be right? If so, it is hard to tell you what to expect because there are so many different configurations that exist.

I've never done outpatient hospital programs, but have been inpatient many times and know how the outpatient programs work (at my hospital). There are several types of outpatient hospital programs at my hospital. Generally the people in the program were inpatient recently and the outpatient program is a step down program. But I do think it is possible to go straight into the outpatient program without having been inpatient recently. Generally, the outpatients arrive on the hospital unit in the morning and stay until mid-afternoon. They participate in the groups that go on throughout the day. They see their psychiatrist each day.

The other program offered is a psychiatric outpatient program that is completely separate from the inpatient unit. I don't know as much about that program.

Generally I think these programs are very group-based. I've never seen any individual therapy going on, but again, I'm not even sure I'm addressing the kind of program you are talking about.

Whatever the case, I hope it all works out for you. Keep us informed.

Hi Pandoren!

I'm from the UK but I've never heard of a hospital psychology unit. Do you mean you've been referred to a psychologist who happens to be based in a hospital? That's what happened to me - I've currently been waiting 3 months for an assessment interview to see if I get to go on the (horrifically long) actual waiting list. Have no idea what to expect though so I can't offer any help, sorry! But I hope you don't have to wait too long - good luck!

*Willow*

[Pandoren]

Thanks both

It was my understanding that it was a section in the hospital, but I'm a bit vague about it so it might be a psychologist who works in the hospital. She was talking about them as a plural rather than an individual person. I had no idea there would be that kind of waiting list! That's a bit daft given the nature of the illness.

Fingers crossed and I guess I find out when I find out!

Originally Posted by Pandoren

It was my understanding that it was a section in the hospital, but I'm a bit vague about it so it might be a psychologist who works in the hospital. She was talking about them as a plural rather than an individual person. I had no idea there would be that kind of waiting list! That's a bit daft given the nature of the illness.

Hi Pandoren Sorry, I should have been more clear - I didn't mean to say that there was only 1 psychologist at the hospital where my community mental health team (CMHT) is based. I guess you could call it a psychology unit, but it seems rather confusing that they've worded it this way.

You would think that, bearing in mind how effective NICE says therapy is at dealing with psychological problems, there would be better provisions for it. I went on the waiting list for psychology a few years ago and waited 2 years without an appt (though 1 of those years was because my pdoc had said I was on the list and I wasn't! Grr) before I moved areas. Now I've got to start again! In my area the wait is at least a year. Maybe your area isn't so bad...

Also you may not necessarily need to see a psychologist (though obviously I don't know your specific situation). I know in some areas they have mental health support workers who do cbt etc in local GP surgeries. Or there's Health in Mind which offer support, again accessed through your GP. Do you have a pdoc or cpn at all? My pdoc referred me to a CPN who does CBT while I wait so I'm not totally without support. If you're struggling they need to provide something else to help while you wait for the psychology appt.

All the best Pandoren!

*Willow*

[Pandoren]

I don't actually know what a CPN is. My GP surgery does have a therapist but she can only see patients for a set number of weeks. She had to limit my time with her to 12 sessions, which she was unhappy about since she knew I'd need far more than that.