Sheffield Hospitals Charity gave over £2.3 million to support Sheffield’s NHS last financial year.
One of those grants was to fund a Clinical Psychologist to work within the Haematology team at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. They provide psychological and emotional support for people undergoing treatments like a stem cell transplant.
Aileen Nield, Post Transplant Clinical Nurse Specialist, told us:
“Patients often experience complications which can be life changing, for example severe fatigue, changes to appearance, vulnerability to infection and facing increased risk of another cancer or long-term health issue. They need support to manage this huge adjustment
By having a clinical psychologist available, patients can access guidance and learn strategies to manage their worries, stress, anxiety and uncertainty. This is often easier than talking to friends or family about their fears. This is a vitally important service helping patients to manage the often-huge impact that a transplant has on mental wellbeing, and I have seen the difference this makes.”
Haematology Patient Nicola Gorman is someone who experienced this first-hand:
“Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you view it I have used the psychology services several times. I have had two stem cell transplants now and have weathered the storm that the treatment does to your body both physically and mentally and at times it’s pretty brutal.
As an inpatient, the Clinical Psychologist came to see me which was reassuring and helped with the weeks spent in a small room feeling rubbish and very vulnerable.
For me personally it was after leaving the hospital that the fears and the questions like, ‘what will I do if it comes back?’ started. Your mind races (especially at night) trying to come to terms with what has happened and what your future holds.
I had to leave my job as a district nurse which I loved, I lost my identity as Nikki the nurse and became Nikki the patient.
The psychology services helped me realise that I still had those qualities that made me a good nurse, and that I could use them in different ways. Having someone you can say anything to, cry if you need to and not have things brushed off with ‘at least you’re alive’ is so important. Making sense of a life changing illness isn’t easy, I am so grateful to the sensitive and supportive psychology team that helped me do just that.”
Published: Monday 10th of February 2025