Critical Care Psychology Service at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals (BHRUT) - Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital
What we do
We have clinical health psychological practitioners working in the critical care service at Queen’s Hospital and King George Hospital who support patients in intensive care and their families. We know that being in intensive care units (ICU) can be stressful and that is why we have psychologists to help to support you or your family member. Sometimes after leaving hospital, you may be troubled by memories or nightmares from ICU, experience low mood and anxiety or find it difficult to adjust back to life, and so we can see you as part of follow up care in our outpatient psychology clinics.
The critical care psychology service forms part of the wider clinical health psychological services provision which seeks to bridge the gap between physical and mental health and provide a holistic treatment package that acknowledges the mind and body link and can appreciate the impact of being unwell on biological, psychological, social, occupational and spiritual functioning.
Treatments offered
We use a variety of different evidence-based approaches in our work, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative Exposure Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. We are keen on maintaining a flexible approach, where we collaborate and tailor the pace of our work to your needs and circumstances. Psychological therapy can help you to find alternative ways to deal with your difficulties and pursue emotional wellbeing.
Outpatient appointments
Outpatient Appointments for psychological therapy typically last 50 minutes and are usually held on a weekly or fortnightly basis. However, appointments can be arranged less frequently if required, and video or telephone appointments can also be arranged if it is difficult for patients to visit either of the hospitals in person.
The first appointment is an assessment during which individual needs, whether therapy would be useful, possible goals of therapy or referral to alternative services are discussed with a clinician.
Referrals
Patients eligible for referral to the service
Below are some indicators for when a referral is appropriate. Referrals are not limited to the criteria below. We have an inclusive ethos, so do refer by emailing us if you feel the person you are referring to psychology could benefit from the support we offer.
Patients
Distress related to low mood, irritability, anxiety, delirium, pain or any other mental health related or cognitive changes.
Families
Distress related to their loved one’s admission to ICU.
Who can refer?
Referrals are usually made by a health care professional who knows the patient. We also take referrals from the ITU follow up clinic.
We are currently not accepting patient self-referrals.
To make a referral
Please contact us via email on bhrut.dl-criticalcarepsychology@nhs.net
How to contact us
Queen’s Hospital
Rom Valley Way
Romford
RM7 0AG
Email: bhrut.dl-criticalcarepsychology@nhs.net
Opening times: Monday to Friday 9:00am -5:00pm
Psychology service leads: Dr Madiha Shaikh (Consultant Clinical Psychologist) and Rajinder Sahota (Consultant Counselling Psychologist)
Risk and crisis contact numbers
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an emergency or crisis service. If you are a patient and require immediate support, please call your local mental health services as follows:
Out -of-hours: 0300 300 1570 ( option 4)
Mental Health Crisis Lines
If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact your local crisis service calling:
111 Option 2 for Mental Health, or Mental Health Direct on 0800 995 1000.
If you currently receive a service from a team at NELFT, such as a local community mental health team or a psychiatrist, then you can make contact with them directly during office hours, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. It may be helpful to refer to your care plan, which should have details of who to contact in an emergency.
Please contact 999 and attend your local A and E dept with any imminent risk.
Useful links and information
For more information and resources relating to ICU, please see the links below:
Intensive care - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
To see the new Jubilee ITU ward opening at Queen’s Hospital, please see the link below:
State-of-the-art ITU officially opened at Queen’s Hospital - YouTube
Where the service is based
We work across different hospital sites; King George Hospital and Queen's Hospital and offer face to face sessions and teletherapy.
Service opening times: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
Queen’s Hospital
Queen’s Hospital
Rom Valley Way
Romford
RM7 0AG
King George Hospital
Cedar Centre
King George Hospital
Barley Lane
Goodmayes
Ilford
IG3 8YB