Clinical Haematology Psychology

Anyone open to the Haematology team in Royal Liverpool Hospital can request referral to the Clinical Psychology team. To be referred for support, or to discuss whether a referral would be suitable for you, please speak with a member of the Haematology team involved in your care at your next scheduled appointment, or by contacting the team using the contact details listed.

We do not accept self-referrals.

Unfortunately, the team does not have capacity to see patients whose psychological difficulties/distress are not related to their haematological issues. In this case, please speak with your GP if you would like to find out more about what is available to you.   

Clinical psychologists are trained to understand the psychological effects of physical health problems.

Through working with your expertise of your own life, a clinical psychologist will combine this with their own knowledge and skills, with the aim of supporting you to reduce the negative impact that your haematological condition is having on your psychological wellbeing.

• Coping with an uncertain future 
• Coping with how your condition effects relationships 
• Managing the demands of home and family life whilst caring for yourself 
• Feeling depressed, anxious or angry 
• Coping with change and adjustment with your condition 
• Coping with pain, discomfort, fatigue and side effects 
• Coping with how your condition effects your sexual wellbeing 
• Trauma related to your haematological condition
• Effects on your self-esteem and sense of self 
• Sleep problems (whether too much or too little) 
• Psychological barriers to accessing testing, treatment or rehabilitation such as the fear of needles.

Clinical Psychologists are trained to understand the psychological effects of physical health problems. Through working with your expertise of your own life, a Clinical Psychologist will combine this with their own knowledge and skills, with the aim of supporting you to reduce the negative impact that your haematological condition is having on your psychological wellbeing.  

During your initial assessment appointment, the psychologist will ask about your main difficulties associated with your haematological condition.  

If you and the psychologist feel that psychological therapy could be helpful, they will discuss next steps for psychology support. Sometimes a few appointments will be enough to help, other times more appointments may be useful. Appointments are usually 50 minutes in length.

If you need an interpreter, this can be organised.

• Sickle Cell Society - The Sickle Cell Society believes that individuals with sickle cell disease have the right to quality care.
• The Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) Network - Providing information for patients and a place for them to share their experiences. 
• The Haemophilia Society - Providing easy access to information and opportunities as well as campaigning to make the care and treatment of bleeding disorders consistent, effective and accessible to all.
• UK Thalassaemia Society - Supporting those with Thalassaemia and their families for over 30 years.
• World Federation of Hemophilia - Aiming to improve worldwide care for people with inherited bleeding disorders, including: hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, and inherited platelet disorders.
• MDS UK Support group (Liverpool) - Monthly support group for Myelodysplastic syndromes.