Information for parents, young people and their families

Who are we?

We are a dedicated team of clinical psychologists who are here to help parents and young people find ways to live more happily alongside diabetes. We work with the rest of your team at the hospital, such as the doctors, dietitians, nurses, educators and play specialists.

What do we do?

Medical and psychological care goes hand in hand. We are here to help young people and their families cope with the difficulties that can come from a medical condition and its treatment. We are not medical doctors, so we don’t do physical examinations, medical procedures, or prescribe medication. Sometimes we see children and parents together, sometimes we just meet with parents, and sometimes just with children.

How might we be able to help?

We understand that looking after diabetes can affect you and the people around you. We know that children and families can have many different feelings about the condition. Sometimes these feelings get in the way of looking after diabetes, family relationships, friendships, school and everyday life.

Managing feelings

We offer you support with difficult feelings about having diabetes e.g. sadness, worry, anger, stress.

• We support you if you feel disappointed when diabetes care isn’t going to plan.
• We help you deal with worries about how diabetes may affect life at school, at home, or with family and friends.
• We help you think about how to talk to friends and other people about diabetes e.g. friends.
• We help you cope with physical changes, such as body weight that can accompany diabetes.

Managing diabetes

• Supporting you to look after diabetes and cope with the day to day challenges it may bring.
• Supporting you to find ways to care for diabetes when other stressful things are happening in your life.
• Helping parents and children negotiate how to look after diabetes together.

Treatments

• Helping you to understand your treatment.
• Coping with treatments you may be worried about, for example dealing with needles and blood sugar monitoring.

What happens during the first appointment?

At the first appointment we will begin to get to know each other and talk together about what you would like help with. We will talk about any concerns or worries you may have. Together we can decide what the next best step is. We may decide to meet for further appointments or it could be that we will not need to meet again. We may also decide that a different service would be more helpful.

Who will have information about your family?

It is important to keep what you say to us confidential. We generally share important information with the diabetes team, your GP, and if you wish, your school, to inform them of how they can support you with your treatment. However, when we first meet we will talk with you and plan what information we share.

How can you contact us?

If you would like to speak with one of us, please tell your diabetes Key Worker at The Weston Centre, on 01223 274638 or email the diabetes department.

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Further information

PALS – To make comments or raise concerns about the Trusts’ services, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). Ask a staff member to direct you to PALS or:

Telephone: 01223 216 756

Email PALS