Diabetes Psychology Service

The Diabetes Psychology Service provides psychological assessment and therapy to patients who are under the care of the Diabetes Team, based at Sunderland Royal Hospital. We aim to promote psychological wellbeing and support, in relation to difficulties that can be experienced in managing Type 1 Diabetes. We work alongside Consultant Endocrinologist & Diabetologists, Specialist Diabetes Nurses and Specialist Dieticians to deliver coordinated care.  The service is based within the Psychology Service at Chester Lodge and also offers clinics in the Metabolic Medicine Department (Diabetes Unit).

Patients can be referred by the Diabetes Team at Sunderland Royal Hospital for various difficulties in relation to their diabetes, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression & low mood
• Difficulty adjusting or accepting diabetes diagnosis
• Needle phobia
• Burn-out/stress in relation to managing diabetes long-term
• Lifestyle difficulties
• Difficulty with manging blood glucose levels

If the difficulty is primarily a long-standing mental health problem, then alternative psychological support can be offered through the Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service, Talking Changes (for patients in the Durham Locality) or the South Tyneside Lifecycle Mental Health Service.