Psychology

We accept referrals from inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, GPs, private specialists and other health professionals.

Referrals for patients living outside of the CALHN catchment are only considered if made by a CALHN clinician or specialist involved in the patient’s care.

Psychologists help patients understand and manage the thoughts, attitudes, feelings and behaviours that may improve recovery from injury or illness.

Clinical and Health Psychologists help patients and their families cope with the stress of being in hospital, adjusting to poor health or disability, managing pain, preparing for procedures, and dealing with grief, depression, trauma and anxiety.

Psychologists at the RAH provide assessment, evidence-based treatment and consultation with other health professionals and also conduct clinical research.

Our psychologists may provide intervention targeted towards:

• improving the mental health, wellbeing and functioning of patients with illness, trauma, injury or disability
• optimising patient participation in treatment, for example, teaching self-management skills and developing working relationships between the patient, their family and their health team
• designing and implementing prevention, education and behaviour change programs
• conducting neuropsychological assessments and providing opinions regarding cognitive functioning.

Psychologists can be used on acute and non-acute cases and work closely with many other units including Neurology, Adult burns unit and Statewide Rehabilitation services.

A written referral is required prior to an appointment being issued. E-referrals, email or fax referrals are accepted.

Referrals should include:

• patient details – address, date of birth, contact phone number, medicare number, pension card
• reason for referral
• relevant clinical history of the patient
• list of current medications
• current treatment regimen
• recent relevant test results – x-ray, pathology, etc.
• referrer's name and contact details.

If a previous cognitive assessment has been conducted by a psychologist or neuropsychologist please state the name of the clinician/service and when the assessment occurred.