Clinic details

In your area, Connect Health has been contracted to provide the counselling for depression service in conjunction with the NHS. It is an NHS service, completely free at the point of entry like all NHS services.

Our service brings together a range of experienced counsellors to listen, assess and help you with your condition within your local community.

• Keep us informed: If you need to change or cancel your appointment, please call the service at least 48 hours prior to your appointment, so it can be offered to someone else. This keeps patient waiting times low and helps to reduce NHS costs. If you do not give us sufficient notice, you may be discharged from this service.
• Don’t be a DNA: If you Do Not Attend (DNA) or you are late to your appointment without notifying us, you may be discharged from this service.

Please bring to the appointment any recent prescriptions and/or a list of current medications.

• Patients under 18: If the Patient is under 18, then please advise us when you book their appointment, as some of our services may only be available to Adults.
• Patients with additional needs: If the Patient is vulnerable, or has a disability, or mobility problems, then please advise us when you book their appointment.
• Transport: If you require hospital transport, please advise us when you book your appointment. Please note that transportation is not provided with some Hospitals.
• Translation Support: If you require an interpreter, please advise us which language you require when you book your appointment.

We want to make sure you’re able to contact us if you have any questions to ask regarding the rheumatology service or your care, or if you are having a flare and need some advice or support. We will always aim to provide an answer or solution as quickly as possible. Please contact our Referral Management Centre on 01223 603 986 who will ensure you receive a call from a rheumatology nurse within 24-hours or a face to face appointment within 48 hours*. The telephone service is manned Monday-Friday, 08:30-17:00. We are currently in the process of implementing a voicemail facility outside of these times.

A flare can be defined as any of the below symptoms;

• increased stiffness in joints.
• pain throughout the entire body.
• increased difficulty doing everyday tasks.
• swelling, such as causing shoes not to fit.
• intense fatigue.
• flu-like symptoms.

*Please note – 48-hour face to face appointments may be offered at a different clinic to a patient’s usually allocated venue, subject to venue availability.