The Palliative Care Psychology Service is based at St Benedict’s Hospice and forms part of the Psychological & Wellbeing Service. The team supports patients, and their families and carers, who are experiencing distress relating to their diagnosis or treatment.
The hospice reception is open 8am – 8pm.
Psychology appointments are usually offered between 8.30am - 5pm.
Our service
We offer a range of different psychological therapies to help you cope with difficult thoughts, feelings and changes that can be associated with a palliative diagnosis.
Some examples include:
- Coping with adjustment, change and loss
- Difficulty in re-engaging with life with a palliative diagnosis
- Difficulty living with uncertainty about the future
- Feelings of anxiety, depression and anger associated with your palliative condition
- Worries about the future and fear of death
- Loss of confidence or changes to your self esteem
- Coping with persistent pain, fatigue and other side effects
- Difficulty sleeping
- Difficulties in relationships with family, friends or healthcare professionals
- Post traumatic symptoms associated with treatment
This list is not exhaustive; these are simply an example of the kinds of difficulties we often help people with.
Appointments usually last 50 - 60 minutes and take place at St Benedict’s Hospice. We know there may be times when you feel less well and so sessions can be flexible to suit you.
Our team
Dr Sonia Wilson - Principal Clinical Psychologist
Dr Emma Lawson - Clinical Psychologist
Finding us
We are based at:
St Benedict’s Hospice
St Benedicts Way
Ryhope
Sunderland
SR2 0NY
There is free car parking on site at St Benedict’s Hospice. We also have a patient transport service so transport can be arranged for patients to attend outpatient appointments
Getting referred
You can access this service if you, or your family member, have a palliative diagnosis and are under the care of a specialist palliative care service based at St Benedict’s Hospice or Sunderland Royal Hospital.
If you have any queries about referrals please contact the service on 0191 512 8400.
Contact us
St Benedict’s Hospice
St Benedicts Way
Ryhope
Sunderland
SR2 0NY
External Direct Line – 0191 512 8400
