Who are we?
The Health Psychology Service is a specialist community-based psychological service for people with physical health problems registered to a North Derbyshire GP Practice and those who work with them. We take referrals from Primary and Secondary care for patients with moderate to severe mental health concerns in relation to their physical health (typically where NHS Talking Therapies long term conditions pathways are not appropriate). 
What do we offer?
For patients, we provide psychological assessment, formulation, education, and psychological therapy. For staff working with patients, we provide advice, consultancy and training. 
We can normally offer patients brief focused interventions. This usually consists of 6-8 sessions. We can extend this to medium term interventions for some people on a case-by-case basis. We do not have the capacity to offer long-term work.
Typically, we accept patient referrals for:
•    Assistance in adjustment to and coping with physical health problems.
•    Assistance in improving functioning and quality of life.
•    Advice and training in psychological skills and techniques aimed at improving management or recovery.
•    Assistance in making best use of physical interventions (e.g. phobias, compliance and motivational issues).
•    Assistance with mood where this exacerbates health problems.
•    Treatment of psychological issues which are the cause of significant physical health problems.

The Referral Process
The typical referral process involves a referral in writing. We can accept referrals using our referral form, or via letter or email if they include similar key information. 
The Health Psychology Service is a service for adults (age 17+) registered with a North Derbyshire GP practice (i.e. in the following PCNs: High Peak & Buxton, Derbyshire Dales, Chesterfield & Dronfield, North East Derbyshire, North Hardwick & Bolsover, South Hardwick, and Glossop). 

-    Patients may be suitable for NHS Talking Therapies services where they have mild to moderate mental health issues linked to their long-term condition.  In addition, patients with health anxiety, where this is not in response to specific health problems should routinely be referred to NHS Talking Therapies services.
-    Specialist Stroke services are delivered by Derbyshire Healthcare FT who have psychologists attached. 
-    Patients requiring a specialist Neuropsychology Service will need to be referred to neuropsychology units attached to neurology services.