What age groups and problems do you treat?

I see adults over the age of 18. I see a wide variety of mental health conditions including addictions, drug and alcohol problems, depression and anxiety, other mood disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, stress, OCD, PTSD and other trauma related conditions, psychosis.

In addition, I am recognised by the CAA as a specialist authorised to provide psychiatric reports for Class 1 and 2 medical licence applications.

How do I arrange an appointment?

I require a referral from a healthcare professional which would usually be your GP. This ensures that any treatment decisions are made taking into account your overall healthcare and it is best practice to involve your GP. 

Referrals can be sent securely to Caroline my PA at caroline.anderson8@nhs.net

What can I expect from my first appointment?

Our first appointment is approximately 1 hour long and I will take a detailed history of the difficulties you are experiencing and what impact they are having on you. I will also ask about your life history, family history, physical health and previous psychiatric history, and any significant events in your life as well as any drug and alcohol use. Everything we discuss is treated in the strictest confidence and next steps agreed.

Can I bring a family member, or a friend, to my consultation(s)?

Absolutely if you wish. They can sit through the whole or part of your assessment – it’s entirely up to you. Family and friends can often provide useful, objective, collateral information.

Do I need to bring anything to my first appointment?

• It can be helpful to bring a list of medications that you are currently taking and any previous treatments or reports you may have had.

• Sometimes people find it helpful to write a list of things they wish to discuss or mention to bring to the appointment.

How long do the consultations last?

New patient assessments are one hour. For more complex cases, I may need to allocate more time. This is rare, and if required, you will be advised of this when booking the appointment.

Follow-up appointments are approximately half-an-hour

What are the next steps after the initial appointment?

With your consent, I will write a report with my assessment and recommendations to your GP. I will send you a copy of this report. 

If therapy is part of our agreed treatment plan I will recommend and arrange a referral to an appropriate therapist. I may need to check availability and waiting lists first before confirming who that is likely to be and will confirm as soon as possible after the appointment to whom I will be referring you to. If you are using health insurance I will write to your provider and request funding for the appropriate treatment plan.

I will need to review you regularly to ascertain your response to treatment, whether it be medication, talking therapy, or a combination of the two. How often I need to see you will depend on your condition, and the medication/treatment that I have prescribed. We will agree this as part of our treatment planning.

Do you offer remote appointments?

We do. We can offer Skype appointments by prior arrangement.

Will my health insurance cover my treatment?

You will need to check with your insurance company that you are authorised to see me before our initial consultation – insurance policies vary quite a lot. Please note you will be liable for any excess applicable.

What is the process for payment?

We offer various options for payment if you are self funding and you will receive an invoice 5-10 days after your appointment. 

Can I be assured of confidentiality?

Your consultations with me, as well as your medical records, are subject to medical confidentiality. Before I see you, you will need to complete a consent form, where you can detail who you consent to your information being shared with, i.e. your GP, a family member, or a friend. This will be sent via Docusign prior to your appointment and needs to be completed and returned electronically prior to our consultation.

There are exceptions to this, which are guided by the General Medical Council. These exceptions involve situations where you may pose a serious risk/threat to yourself or others, or in the case of criminal investigations. For further information, please refer to the General Medical Council guidance.