The clinical health psychology service helps patients deal with the demands and consequences of illness. Low mood, anxiety and coping difficulties are common features that are associated with many health conditions and illnesses.

Often these symptoms are appropriate given the sometimes demanding or traumatic nature of illness. As is often the case, you may gradually be able to adjust and accept an illness and its treatment routines. However, if you have difficulty or get 'stuck' then we can provide support to help you cope and enhance your wellbeing.

Our psychology team are qualified in a broad range of psychological therapies e.g. counselling and psychotherapy, cognitive behaviour therapy, interpersonal therapy and clinical hypnosis. Again, we select the approach that is best for you as an individual.

We are based at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland Hospital where we receive referrals from consultants and other professional staff. We usually provide one to one therapy though in some instances, for example in cardiac rehabilitation we see groups. If your illness is impacting on your relationships you may want to be seen with your partner or carer - whatever is best for you.

Commonly the health areas we work into include:

• Chronic pain
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Heart problems
• Fertility
• Surgery
• Neurology
• Women's health

All our work is strictly confidential though following an initial assessment of your problem and at discharge we write to the doctor who referred you and usually a copy of that correspondence goes to your GP.

Key Staff Details

• Consultant:   Dr Margaret Jack
• Consultant:   Dr Anu Sinha-Reid

Service Delivery

• Bishop Auckland Hospital
  We are located in Escomb Road Annexe adjacent to Bishop Auckland Hospital.
• Darlington Memorial Hospital
  We are on Floor D in Darlington Memorial Hospital. Enter the hospital at through the Main Entrance. Walk straight on to a set of two lifts on your left, and take the lift to Floor D Outpatients.