Renal (Kidney) Medicine

The following psychologists provide a service to patients referred by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Adult Renal Medicine Department:

• Dr Janette Moran, Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist
• Dr Chloe Miller, Senior Clinical Psychologist

Appointments are available at St James’s Hospital (Fielding House).

Information for Patients 

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Clinical Psychology Service for People with Kidney Problems

This information aims to answer some of the questions you may have about the Clinical Psychology Service for People with Kidney Problems.

Why are there psychologists in the Renal Service?

Living with kidney problems and the treatment this involves can bring many different feelings. Some people find the time after diagnosis particularly difficult, others find it hard to cope with the treatment. People might find they feel worried, tearful, angry or low in mood. Sometimes these feelings come together in a way that can feel overwhelming.

People find different ways to manage. Sometimes this is with the support of others, for example, family, friends and staff in the renal team. There is also a Renal Clinical Psychology Service, whose role is to provide emotional and psychological support to patients with kidney problems.

How could the Renal Clinical Psychology Service help?

Psychologists can help people in a variety of ways. Rather than prescribing medications, clinical psychologists are trained to help people talk through their problems.

The person you see will have an understanding of the psychological effects that kidney problems and treatment can have. Everyone is different and many people find it helpful to talk about how their kidney problems affect different areas of their lives. Sometimes talking through problems can help people to find better ways of managing their difficulties. You will not have to talk about anything that you don’t want to.

Examples of things that people often talk to psychologists about include:

• Feeling low, upset or angry about their kidney disease
• Decisions about treatment, dialysis or diet/fluid restrictions and taking medications
• Worries or fears about the future in relation to their kidney disease

Who is the service for?

This service is available to all patients at any stage of their illness who are under the care of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Adult Renal Service (including people who receive their care at satellite units belonging to the service). This includes before dialysis, when people are already dialysing, before and after a transplant. We also work with people who are donating a kidney.

What happens to the information I share with you?

Information that you share with the psychologist is kept confidential and notes we write in meetings will be kept separate from your medical notes. Psychologists have a responsibility to tell somebody if they are worried that you or somebody else is at risk of getting hurt. We would always try to discuss this with you first. Your psychologist will talk more about confidentiality with you at your first appointment.

What should I do if I would like this kind of help?

If you feel that you might benefit from talking to a psychologist, please tell one of the doctors or nurses on the renal team.They will help to decide if this is the most appropriate service for you. There might be a wait before you can be seen (the doctor or nurse referring you will be able to find out more about this, or you could telephone our department).

How often will I see the psychologist?

You and the psychologist can discuss how often it would be best to meet. Some people see the psychologist only once or twice, others may see them once a week or once a fortnight for several weeks or months. After the end of work together, if you later decide that you would like to see the psychologist again, this can be arranged.

Where will I see the psychologist?

We see people for outpatient appointments which are usually at the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Fielding House, St James’s University Hospital. We also offer video consultations.

Who will I see?

The person you will see will usually be a qualified clinical psychologist who specialises in working with people with kidney problems. You will usually see the same person throughout your care. You may be asked if you would be willing to see a psychologist in clinical training. This psychologist will be closely supervised by a qualified clinical psychologist.

Where can I get more information?

If you want to find out more about the Renal Clinical Psychology Service, please ask one of the doctors or nurses involved in your care.

The psychologists working with the renal team are:

• Dr Janette Moran, Lead Consultant Clinical Psychologist
• Dr Chloe Miller, Senior Clinical Psychologist