We’re making changes to how we work so we can continue to run our services in response to the coronavirus situation and we are expanding the range of help that we offer.
In response to government guidelines we are moving all of our appointments to either telephone, online or video calls. This starts from Monday 23 rd March onwards for the safety of all service users and staff.
From Monday 23 March if you need to contact us, please email:
huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net
We will call or email you back as soon as we can. We ask you not to call the phone line while we adjust to this new way of working. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
We know that these are worrying times. Although we need to work differently for the time being, we’re still here to help.
If you need urgent help, City & Hackney have a crisis helpline, this remains open 24 hours a day. Please ring them on 020 8432 8020 if you are worried that you might harm yourself or someone else.
Talk Changes for Health
Helping you feel in control and live life to the full
Talk Changes for Health is a free, confidential NHS service for adults who are registered with a City and Hackney GP.
Our specialist team helps people with a long-term illness to manage their condition, feel in control and live life to the full.
We understand that living with an ongoing health condition can be difficult. Juggling appointments, remembering to take your medicines, and not always being able to do the things you enjoy can be frustrating and tiring.
That’s why we’re here to help
We are part of Talk Changes, a local NHS service. We offer a range of tried and tested talking therapies. These involve talking with a trained professional if you’re feeling stuck and can help you make long-lasting positive changes.
NHS talking therapies have helped millions of people to manage their thoughts and feelings. Evidence shows that talking therapies can also help people with a long-term physical health problem to stay motivated, stick to treatment plans and enjoy a better quality of life.
We are based at the Louis Freedman Centre next to St Leonard’s Hospital in Hoxton. We offer face-to-face appointments but also provide support over the telephone, online and in groups. We’ll help you get the right support in the most convenient way.
Contact us
The easiest and quickest way to get in touch is through the online referral form.
Most people receive an initial telephone assessment within two weeks. Following this, we’ll agree a plan with you and book your next appointment.
You can also email us on:
huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net
Please give the reference ‘LTC’ so we can put you in touch with the right team.
Find us
Louis Freedman Centre for Well-being
Nuttall St, London N1 5LZ
GDPR
We want to offer the best possible service to patients and to do this we need to collect data about our patients and their treatments. By providing us with this information we are able to ensure that we offer you the most appropriate treatment and ensure that we are providing an effective service to all our patients.
We describe below how the information helps improve patient care.
Personal Details
This website invites you to complete a form including giving personal details. If do you wish to fill in the self-referral, you should note that information submitted to Homerton University Foundation NHS Trust via this website will be used solely for the purpose for which it is collected, and will not be passed on to any other external organisation, without your permission. The purpose for which the information is collected will be made clear.
We have implemented security procedures and technical measures to protect any personal data which is kept by Homerton University Foundation NHS Trust from:
Unauthorised access.
Improper use or disclosure.
Unauthorised modification.
Unlawful destruction or accidental loss.
Homerton University Foundation NHS Trust employees who have access to personal data are obliged to respect confidentiality, they are bound by confidentiality contract clauses and the duties of common law.
Homerton University Foundation NHS Trust abides by the Data Protection Act of 1998 in the holding and processing of your personal data.
If you are using a public computer and do not wish others to be able to go back to view the details you have typed into a form on the web it is advisable to clear the contents of the form and your cache (temporary internet files) before leaving the computer.
What information is collected by the Talk Changes For Health?
We collect information about you and the care you receive, including the assessments, results of tests and your answers to questionnaires. This enables your progress to be monitored and future care planned. This information may be shared with other health professionals involved in your care, so that you get the best possible care. If you would like to see the information collected about you or find out more about how the information is stored and used locally, please speak with the people who are treating you.
How we keep your information safe?
Talk Changes For Health stores all information safely and securely and sends national reporting information safely to a secure central data storage area. All data collected is subject to the strict rules of confidentiality, laid down by Acts of Parliament, including the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and the NHS Care Record Guarantee.
What information is collected nationally?
Some of this information collected is reported nationally to give a picture of service delivered across the country, to check that quality standards are similar everywhere. No information that could reveal a patient’s identity is used in national reports. These reports only show summary numbers of, for instance, patients receiving different types of treatments and it is impossible to identify any person seen by Talk Changes For Health. Security of patient information is very important to us.
How is the information used nationally?
The information collected is used to check that:
Services are available to those who need them.
An appropriate range of NICE compliant treatments is provided.
Patients achieve positive outcomes from treatment.
National reports offer huge service delivery benefits by checking, for example, numbers of referrals received, and time taken to access services, the type of treatments used and the outcomes of those treatments. Also, under the Equality Act 2010, the NHS has to monitor personal characteristics and check everyone has equal access to services and is not discriminated against in any way.
Further information on Data Protection issues can be found at dataprotection.gov.uk
Appointments Policy
We encourage all patients to attend every appointment with our service so you can get the most out of the sessions. We recognise there may be times when it will be difficult to attend appointments, however to ensure we can offer a fair service to everyone it is important to attend all of your appointments. Please remember every appointment counts.
Please do not miss your appointment (face to face, telephone or group)
Each appointment (date, time and venue) is agreed with you in advance.
There is high demand at Talk Changes For Health and our policies need to consider those in treatment as well as those waiting.
Assessment Appointment
If you are not available for any assessment then unfortunately we will need to discharge you from the service in order for us to see other waiting patients. This includes cancelling an assessment appointment at short notice (less than 2 working days’ notice). You will be able to re-refer.
Treatment Appointments
Our policy on missed or cancelled treatment appointments; is that if you miss or re-schedule more than one treatment appointment we will need to discharge you from the service in order for us to see other waiting patients.
If it is necessary for you to cancel an appointment e.g. due to severe illness, please telephone us on 0207 683 4278 or email huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net so that we can re-arrange your appointment.
Please do your best to inform us that you will not be able to attend by leaving an email or voicemail even out of hours. Please remember that you can only do this once in a course of treatment so make sure when booking your appointments that this is a date and time you can attend.
Appointments Cancelled by Us
If it is necessary for us to cancel an appointment we will give you as much notice as possible. A member of our team will contact you to discuss this and to re-arrange the appointment. If course, you will not lose any of your appointments if this is the case.
To contact us
huh-tr.talkingtherapy@nhs.net or 020 7683 4278
Talk Changes For Health Louis Freedman Building St Leonard’s Nuttall Street N1 5LZ
Other useful information
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS can provide information and support to patients and carers and will listen to your concerns, suggestion or queries. The service is available between 9am and 5pm.
0208 510 7315
07584 445 400
PALS@homerton.nhs.uk
If you require this information in large print, plain print, audio or Braille please contact the Patient Information Team on 0208 510 5302, text: 07584 445 400 or email: patientinfo@homerton.nhs.uk
Contact Talk Changes for Health
Phone
020 7683 4278
Address
Talk Changes For Health Louis Freedman Centre for Wellbeing St Leonard's Hospital, Nuttall Street London, N1 5LZ