Neuropsychology Service
NHS Lanarkshire
Tel: 01698 752 390
Clinical neuropsychology is a branch of clinical psychology. It involves the assessment, treatment and/or rehabilitation of cognitive, emotional or behavioural difficulties associated with neurological illness.
The NHS Lanarkshire Neuropsychology Service provides a specialist service to people with organic and functional neurological conditions aged 16 years or older.
What conditions do we work with?
We work with a range of organic and functional neurological conditions, including:
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Huntington’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Motor Neuron Disease
- Functional Neurological Symptoms
- Non-epileptic seizures
- Hydrocephalus
- Spinal injury
- Tic disorders/ Tourette’s’
- other rarer neurological disorders
We also work with people who do not have a diagnosis but are undergoing assessments with an NHS Lanarkshire neurologist.
Brain injury, stroke, alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD) and dementia are assessed and managed by other specialist services within NHS Lanarkshire. Patients who are under 16 years old, or under 18 and in full-time education, are seen by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
Neuropsychological Difficulties
We work with people with emotional difficulties related to their organic or functional conditions, as well as people whose conditions cause cognitive (thinking) or behavioural problems.
Emotion
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Fatigue
- Complex adjustment
Cognition and Behaviour
- Imminent loss of education or employment
- Relationship problems relating to their neurological condition
- Difficulties engaging with rehabilitation
- Difficulties engaging with medical assessments or treatments
- Risk to their own wellbeing or others
We may be asked to help with diagnosis or to make judgements about safety or risk (e.g. driving). This would normally be discussed with you before a referral is made and will always be discussed before an assessment is started.
Please note, the Neuropsychology Service is not a crisis service; if you have immediate concerns about someone’s safety or risk, call 999
Getting Referred
You must be under the care of a neurologist who works in NHS Lanarkshire. Referrals are only accepted from the following healthcare professionals:
- Neurologist
- Specialist neurology nurse
- Neuro-rehabilitation therapist
- Psychologist
If you feel you would benefit from seeing a neuropsychologist please discuss it with someone involved in your care. Unfortunately we are not able to accept self-referrals or referrals from GPs.
Once you have been referred
Waiting times
We will always aim to see you as quickly as possible, however waiting times can vary significantly.
Opt-in letters
The Neuropsychology Service operates an opt-in system. After we receive your referral, you will be sent a letter asking you to confirm that you wish to be seen. If you want to see a neuropsychologist, you will be asked to contact the department within 2 weeks of the letter being sent. You can opt-in by returning the letter or call our secretary on 01698 752 390.
If we do not hear from you, or if you say do not wish to be seen, you will then be discharged.
Automated text message reminders
We can provide automated text message reminders that will arrive 24hrs before your appointments. Text messages will only state the date, time and hospital site of your appointment. No information will be provided about the name of the clinician or their speciality. You can discuss text message reminders by calling to our secretary on 01698 752 390.
Your First Appointment
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Please bring someone who knows you well, a list of your medications, reading glasses and/or hearing aids (if you need them).
Who will I see?
Dr Andrew Wood
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Lead for Neuropsychology
MA, D.Clin.Psy., PG Dip (Clin Neuro)
The Service provides advanced clinical placements for Trainee Clinical Psychologists from the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow under the supervision of an experienced clinician. You may be given an appointment with a trainee however if you wish to discuss this, please call us on 01698 752 390.
How long are appointments?
Appointments usually last between 45-55 minutes, however if you require a shorter appointment please let us know. If longer appointments are needed (e.g. over an hour) we will always discuss this with you beforehand.
What will happen during the first appointment?
The first appointment is an assessment appointment. During this you will be asked about things like your symptoms, emotions, memory and goals. Sometimes it can take longer than an hour to do this, in which case we will ask to make another appointment with you. You may be asked to bring someone who knows you well to the appointment.
After your assessment appointments there may be different options about what to do next. Common options include:
- Neuropsychological assessment
- Psychological therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Transfer to another service
- Discharge
Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Neuropsychological rehabilitation aims to improve cognitive functioning and/or develop strategies to help you ‘work around’ and manage your difficulties. Rehabilitation is based around specific goals and involves working with a Neuropsychologist to develop and apply strategies in your everyday life.
Neuropsychological Assessment
A Neuropsychological Assessment involves assessing your cognitive (thinking) skills, including:
- Concentration
- Memory
- Language
- Processing speed
- Planning and problem-solving
- Visuo-spatial abilities
This type of assessment can tell us which specific areas of cognition are performing well and which areas may be causing you difficulty. It can help to monitor diseases or treatments, and can also help with diagnosis and rehabilitation planning.
Psychological Therapy
Psychological therapy aims to improve quality of life and/or reduce feelings of distress, by looking at the ways you think, feel and behave. Common reasons for psychological therapy include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Fatigue
- Difficulties adjusting to organic and functional illness
Clinic Times and Locations
The Neuropsychology Service has clinics at University Hospitals Monklands and Hairmyres. Clinics are held in the outpatient psychiatric departments at Monklands and Hairmyres. We offer Telephone, Video or Face-to-Face appointments depending on clinical and practical considerations.
Although we will try to give you an appointment location and time that is convenient this won’t always possible. If you need further information about clinic times and locations, please call 01698 752 390.
Driving & Parking
Parking (including disabled bays) is very limited at both Monklands and Hairmyres. Please allow ample time if you are driving to your appointment.
Public transport
For information about how to reach each hospital by public transport, visit the relevant page listed below:
Appointments
Cancelling or changing appointments
If you need to change or cancel an appointment, please do so as early as possible so another patient can be given your appointment slot. Appointments can be changed or cancelled by calling 01698 752 390.
Non-attendance without notice
If you fail to attend your appointments without notice, you must contact the Neuropsychology Service within 3 days of the missed appointment. If we do not hear from you within this time, you will be discharged. If you fail to attend two appointments without notice you will automatically be discharged.
Your Feedback - comments, concerns and complaints
NHS Lanarkshire is committed to improving the service it provides to patients and their families. We therefore want to hear from you about your experience. If you would like to tell us about this please visit our feedback page.
