Burns psychology service
The Clinical Psychology service in Paediatric Burns supports
children and young people who have suffered burn injuries both as
inpatients and outpatients and also supports their families during
this difficult time.
What does a Clinical Psychologist do?
Clinical Psychologists are trained in child development, how
children think and learn, and how children and families cope with
difficulties. The Clinical Psychologist will talk to you about any
worries, fears or your experiences. They are able to work with you
and your family to try and help you find ways of coping, as well
as helpful ways forward. They also work closely with
nurseries, schools, colleges and any other professionals involved
with the family.
Working with a Clinical Psychologist
Burn injuries may be very distressing to children and their
families, and sometimes it can be difficult to cope either when on
the ward or when at home. At these times it may be helpful to talk
to someone like a Clinical Psychologist.
A child may be seen because of:
- Experiencing distressing memories of the injury.
- Difficulties in adjusting to the effects of the burn.
- Worries about scarring and appearance.
- Distressing or upsetting treatment.
- Difficulties in coping with changes in appearance.
- Worries about going back to school.
Similarly, parents/carers may have worries about:
- Their children's health, future, development and school.
- Relationships with other children.
- Problems with the children's behaviour.
- Feelings of guilt or responsibility about what has
happened
- The impact of the injury on the relationships within the
family.
What help may the Clinical Psychologist
offer?
This will depend on the children and their families. It may
involve talking to the family as a whole or working with the
children or parents on their own as many times as is needed.
How can I be referred to see a Clinical
Psychologist?
You can ask to be referred by any member of the Burns team or
any other health professional such as your GP. Just let them know
and they will contact the service at the address and telephone
number at the end of the leaflet. Please also ring us if you would
like to discuss any concerns and if we are not in the office please
leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible
What about confidentiality?
What you say will be confidential unless we are concerned for
the safety of yourself or others. We will let others involved in
your care know that you are working with us and we may, at times,
share information to help us to provide the best service we can. We
would try and discuss that through with you.
Patient and family experience videos
Members of the children's burn service have produced two
patient-experience videos of parents and a patient who describe the
impact of burn injuries and treatment on their physical and
psychological health. The aims are to provide family-friendly
information and reassurance, the types of support available and
tips about how to cope with the process of recovery and
rehabilitation. Videos can be viewed YouTube:
Patient
and Mother's experience
Parents' experience (with young children aged 3 and
5)
Funding was generously provided by the South West Burn Care
ODN.