Appointments

We aim to provide a quick response, with flexible appointments. We also offer appointments weekends and after-hours to assist our patients’ busy lives.

Please confirm your attendance when you receive your SMS reminder.

• Waiting for an appointment

  Whilst awaiting your first appointment, please remember to take time out, exercise, meditate, breathe and reduce stress. Please read through our Psychoeducation pages, and the recommended Psychiatry links on our home page. We particularly encourage you to review the links to the self-help online programs to ensure your treatment starts as soon as possible.

  During this time, you may like to keep a journal, a list of the difficulties you are having, or questions you may want to ask. Write down your symptoms, how it is affecting you and what your priorities are. Think about what has helped or not helped in the past. Keep a record of the triggers, how much sleep you are getting and what your supports have said. If appropriate, use the Mood Diary to self-monitor. These details help both you and your doctor gain insight into your difficulties.

• First appointment

  It is important to complete the requested documentation fully as this improves the quality of your first consultation and what we can achieve together. The first consultation will usually be 1-1.5 hours long. We are happy for you to bring someone, but this often means that two appointments will be required to complete the assessment.

  At that first appointment, we will discuss your current difficulties and explore your background to understand the whole story. A physical examination and referral for investigations may be recommended. Bring any letters, results or scans that you may have.

  That first appointment may lead to a clear diagnosis and treatment plan. One-off psychiatric assessments can be requested by your referring GP who will then continue to provide your care. We then provide a report to your GP about the assessment and recommended management.

  Sometimes the assessment may require more than one appointment, including consultation with your family or practitioner.

  We also offer ongoing specialist management, in collaboration with your GP. We will then discuss the therapeutic relationship and how we can work together in the longer-term to achieve your goals.

• Further appointments

  Follow on appointments are usually shorter, as we focus on monitoring your progress and treatment. If you are requested to bring a family member, or choose to bring someone with you, please let our reception know so that we can allocate the correct appointment time for you.

• Changing or cancelling appointments

  Please contact the clinic if you need to change or cancel an appointment. We are happy to do this for you. However, if you do not cancel an appointment within 48 hours, we charge a 50% fee. There is a demand for our services, and this means that someone has missed an opportunity for consultation.