The children’s diabetes psychology service is based in Harrogate. Dr Claire Panayi (Clinical Psychologist) works with the children’s diabetes team on Mondays and Tuesdays. She is based in the Child Development Centre at Harrogate Hospital.
Claire can visit children and young people when they are first diagnosed on the ward, and can offer follow-up support after they leave hospital. She also works with children, young people and their families until they transition into adult services at age 19. Common reasons why children might want to see the psychologist:
- Adjusting to a diagnosis of diabetes
- Difficulties managing the demands of diabetes (e.g. injection fears, difficulty rotating sites, anxiety around testing in public etc)
- Poor diabetes control
- Anxiety, low mood, disordered eating/ body image/ self-esteem issues related to diabetes
- Relationship difficulties related to diabetes management
- Feeling different to others because of diabetes
- Difficulties balancing the competing demands e.g. of school, hobbies, friends and diabetes
Making a referral
Families can ask any member of the diabetes team to make a referral to psychology. The team will then write to Claire to explain what your child/ family is struggling with and what changes you’d like to see. There is often more demand than our psychology team are able to meet, so we operate a waiting list system. Our psychology team work closely with the diabetes team to try and prioritise resource in the best way. We can also offer one-off appointments to do an initial assessment to ensure that you are getting the right support at the right time.
Diabetes Resources
Support line for everyone affected by diabetes: 0345 123 2399
www.childrenwithdiabetesuk.org
The Children with Diabetes UK (CWD UK) are patient-led support groups for families of children with diabetes living in the UK. It is run by families of children with diabetes.
Video platform and app is a one-stop-shop for young people’s diabetes management.
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