Children's renal psychology service - Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The children’s renal psychology service are part of the children’s renal team, who work with children and young people who have kidney problems.

As part of the team, psychologists work closely with doctors, nurses, social workers, dietitians, nursery nurses and play specialists.

Our services

We offer psychological therapies for children, young people and their families who have psychological issues relating to the young person’s health condition.

Psychologists offer help around:

Adjustment to having a kidney problem or treatment for a kidney condition
Worries about being in hospital or having medical procedures and treatment
Anxiety or depression linked to health problems
Feeding or eating difficulties, eg managing fluid or dietary restrictions
Managing difficult behaviour
Worries about school, eg school work or bullying
Difficulties in relationships with friends or family
Self-confidence
Worries about body image
Parent or carer worries.

Psychological tools

The assessment and help we provide aims to find solutions to difficulties. For example, we try to help young people to understand and manage feelings, or think about practical ways to support a loved one.

To do this, we work with our patients using tools such as:

Talking
Playing
Thinking
Completing questionnaires
Drawing/creative activities
Puzzles and games.

Psychologists don’t prescribe medicines or perform physical examinations.

How can I be referred into the service?

Any child or young person with kidney problems, or a member of their family, can be seen by our psychologists.

Usually patients are referred to us by a member of the Children’s Renal Team who knows the young person and their family well. A family or young person who would like to see a psychologist, can also ask a member of the team caring for them for contact details, and can contact the psychologists directly.

Some groups of patients will routinely see a psychologist, for example, families where the child needs a kidney transplant. As part of the preparation for the operation, we carry out a ‘psychosocial’ assessment to identify any support the family needs.

Who you might meet

Consultant clinical psychologist

Manages the team, provides psychological support to children and their families in the renal service, and provides consultation to other members of the team about psychosocial aspects of care.

Clinical psychologist

Provides support to children and families, and advice and consultation to other members of the team on psychosocial aspects of care.

Assistant psychologist

Carries out some individual work to young people and families, and is often involved in annual reviews where a child or young person has had a kidney transplant.

Administrative officer

Deals with telephone enquiries and organises appointments, typing and sending out letters.

We often have trainee clinical psychologists working with the team. They can be at various stages in their training and could work – under supervision – with patients and families, provide consultation to staff, and deliver teaching and training.