Critical Care Psychology Service
About us
Our service offers specialist support to patients and their families to help them with the impact of an admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Who do we see?
Our service offers specialist psychological assessment, interventions and signposting to adults who have been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and their family members. We know that being on the ICU can be scary, confusing, and upsetting. Research tells us that up to 50% of patients may experience severe stress and longer-term difficulties because of their ICU stay.
We offer support at all stages of a patient’s Critical Care journey, including on the ICU and afterwards on the ward. After discharge some patients might struggle with ICU memories, low mood, anxiety, and struggle to adjust after critical illness. We can also offer outpatient support after discharge. Outpatient support is provided at either Pinderfields Hospital or Dewsbury and District Hospital. We also offer appointments online via video consultation.
Who can be referred?
The service is available to:
- Those who are/were under the active care of the Intensive Care Unit within the last 18 months
- Patients over the age of 18 and their families
- Those who provide their consent to the referral
We will consider those aged 16 and 17 years on a case-by-case basis and will liaise with our paediatric psychology colleagues.
Referral limitations
Occasionally other services may be more appropriate to meet the needs of patients and relatives.
- Where the patient is under the age of 18
- Where psychological problems are unrelated to the ICU stay
- If problems relate primarily to longstanding mental health or relationship difficulties and predate the ICU stay
- In the presence of severe mental health problems and risk concerns (e.g., active self-harming)
- If the primary problem is current alcohol or drug misuse
- Where severe antisocial/violent/criminal behaviour is an issue
- Where support/counselling is being provided by another service
- Where the primary needs are urgent mental health crisis support
Please note, this is not a crisis service for urgent mental health needs.
If you are feeling at risk to yourself, you are advised to contact your local community mental health crisis team, your GP or visit your Emergency Department.
Please see the list of local crisis team phone numbers on our MY Psychological Services page.
What is an appointment with a psychologist like?
Your appointment may be on the ward if you are an inpatient or in clinic if you are an outpatient. This could be a short chat or a longer appointment (usually no longer than an hour). The first appointment will give us a chance to understand your experience on ICU and think through with you what input you would like from the psychologist. You are welcome to have someone with you for your first appointment. To best meet your needs, we may also direct you to a specialist, community, or charity service if we think they could be of better help. Appointments may be one-off or part of a longer number of sessions.
We work closely with the rest of the ICU team (doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists). It can be helpful for us to keep them updated with how you are using the psychology service, but we will only share this information if you are okay with it. We may also need to share information about you to other services to support your safety and wellbeing but will always seek to discuss this with you first.
Paul's story
You can watch Paul's story in his own words here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpSbKalBcDE
When Paul started to feel unwell in the run-up to Christmas 2022, he thought he was suffering from a bad cold.
But when his condition suddenly deteriorated, he was rushed to hospital by ambulance. When he arrived at Pinderfields Hospital, Paul was diagnosed with flu, pneumonia and respiratory failure. He was admitted to intensive care and put into a coma.
After initally making good progress, Paul’s condition took a downward turn as his body worked to fight the infections he was suffering from. Eventually, after enduring a number of complications and set-backs, he began to make good progress.
But even as his physical health improved, Paul’s mental health was suffering.
Paul said: “I was in hospital for almost four months, and jumped at the chance when they said I was ready to go home. But around ten weeks after I left hospital, I started to suffer from terrifying flashbacks and nightmares.
“My physiotherapist mentioned there was a psychology programme at Pinderfields for patients who had been in intensive care, and I was referred for treatment.”
Paul began seeing Senior Clinical Psychologist Nate Shearman to deal with the ICU-related distress he had been suffering with.
Paul continued: “And after 24 weeks of seeing my therapist, I finally went my first week without a nightmare.
“We need more understanding for patients that come out of ICU. It’s not just the physical side that needs treating, the mental side can be just as bad.”
Nate added: “Patients who have been severely ill and treated in intensive care can suffer from a number of psychological issues as a result of their admission, including higher levels of anxiety, lower mood and traumatic stress such as experiencing flashbacks, nightmares and being on edge.
“The process of physical recovery can take months, but addressing the psychological impact takes time too. The aim is to try to ensure that patients have the best chance possible to move forwards and live a meaningful life for them.”
Meet the team
Useful links and Crisis Support
The Donor Family Network - provide awareness of organ donation and offer the highest quality support for every donor family.
Mid York’s Clinical Psychology Youtube: A series of psychological tools and techniques.
ICU Steps: Information for patients and relatives on intensive care, recovery and coming to terms with surviving critical illness.
Critical Care Support Network (A support network helping patients and families, make the best possible recovery from their illness.)
Regional Post Critical Care Support Group (A support group to help people and their families, who have previously spent time on critical care.)
Crisis support
Samaritans or call 116 123 for free
Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support: text ‘SHOUT’ to 85248
Mind Infoline: where to get help near you: 0300 123 3393
If you are in crisis and cannot keep yourself safe, ring 999 or go to your nearest A&E.
How to contact or make a referral to the Critical Care Psychology Service
For general enquires or information on how to make an outpatient referral then please contact the clinical health psychology department. Please note that inpatient referrals should be made by Trust Staff via ICE.
Address: Pinderfields Hospital
Opening days and time: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm.
Telephone: 01924 541510
Acknowledgements
The information on this page has been reviewed by the Every Voice Matters (EVM) group. EVM is a patient experience group of current and former psychology patients who want to make a difference in the psychology department - and in wider areas too. To find out more about our EVM group please see: tiny.cc/EVM.