Leeds Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS)

The Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS) is a national NHS service offering specialist psychological support to people affected by infection through contaminated blood or blood products. The service can provide support to family members, loved ones, and anyone impacted by the consequences of the contaminated blood scandal.

Across England, there are 16 IBPS centres providing care to those infected and affected, of which Leeds IBPS is one. Appointments to access the services provided can be arranged in a way that suits you – in person, over the phone or via video call.

Referral information

You can refer yourself to the service by completing the national online referral form or by calling 0300 131 0444 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).

Complete the national online referral form

With consent, you can also refer a friend or family member, or your GP or other healthcare professional can make a referral on your behalf.

What to expect

Once the IBPS service receives your referral, you will be contacted within 14 days to arrange your first appointment with a regional navigator.

The navigator will be able to support with any additional needs too, for example accessing benefits or housing concerns.

During your appointment

Your first session with a navigator will usually take place over the phone and may last up to 90 minutes. This allows time to discuss different areas of your life and identify how the service may be able to support you.

Support may include:

  • Managing day to day challenges
  • Accessing services
  • Navigating systems
  • Considering future plans

With your consent and if specialist psychological support would be beneficial, you will be referred to a psychologist at your chosen centre.

Psychology appointments last 50 minutes and are designed to help you explore your understanding of the impact the infected blood scandal may have on your life. Sessions will be tailored to your goals which clinicians will co-create with you at the beginning of your block of sessions.

This may focus on:

  • Mood, stress, worry and anger
  • Bereavement, grief and loss
  • Adjusting to health changes and treatments
  • Processing difficult memories

Psychological services: our Leeds locations

Face to face psychology appointments are available at two locations at St James’s Hospital:

  • Fielding House, The clinical and health psychology department
  • Bexley Wing, Rehabilitation department, Level 1. Bexley Wing is a location shared with other services, including cancer care, physiotherapy, dietetics, and the haemophilia centre.

Please let us know if you have a preference for which location you would like to attend.

Meet the Clinical Psychology team

  • Dr Jane Clark (IBPS Lead)
  • Dr Ariyana Reddy

Confidentiality

Your notes are stored securely on a system used only by IBPS professionals in England.

Your discussions with both the navigator and members of the psychology service are confidential, with some exceptions including that we may need to share information without your consent if there are concerns for your safety or the safety of others. We will always aim to be open and transparent with you about this.

We do not share your information with other professionals outside of the IBPS service without your consent, unless required by law such as with the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).

If you have concerns about this, please discuss them during your navigator or psychology appointment.

Mental Health support

If you need immediate mental health support:

  • Call 111 and select the mental health option, or visit 111 online
  • Attend your local A&E
  • Make an urgent appointment with your GP

Alternatively, services like Samaritans and Shout can also offer emotional wellbeing support:

Samaritans – free, confidential listening:

Shout – free, confidential text support, available 24/7:

  • Text SHOUT to 85258
  • Shout website
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