Information
The Scottish Infected Blood Psychology Service (SIBPS) offers psychological therapies and emotional support to individuals who received contaminated blood and blood products through NHS procedures in Scotland. It provides specialist support to anyone who contracted hepatitis C and/or HIV from blood transfusions and blood products, where the individual’s psychological difficulties relate to that. The service also works with spouses, parents, children, siblings, partners, and bereaved family members.
SIBPS supports individuals with a range of psychological difficulties, including grief, anger, trauma symptoms, and difficulties adjusting to physical symptoms associated with hepatitis C and/or HIV.
The service is run by two Clinical Psychologists who are based at the Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh. They have an understanding of the history of contaminated blood within the NHS, the ongoing national Inquiry and specific needs of this population.
Patients are mostly seen remotely (secure video calling or telephone) but face-to-face appointments can be arranged if there is a clinical need.
For further information, please see the patient information leaflet or telephone 0131 537 9128
Who to refer:
SIBPS accepts self-referrals from patients – see ‘how to refer’ for details..
If patients prefer, we can also accept referrals from other health professionals, including GPs – please see how to refer for details.
Who not to refer:
Referrals for psychological difficulties unrelated to the receipt of contaminated blood and blood products cannot be accepted, even for those who have received contaminated blood/blood products. These individuals would be better served by referrals to other local mental health services. If it is unclear whether the psychological difficulties are related to the receipt of contaminated blood and blood products, a referral can be made for us to assess.
Patients of any age can be referred, but the service is unlikely to be the most appropriate service for younger children or infants, who may be best served by referrals to local child and adolescent mental health services.
Individuals with ongoing suicidality and self-harm can be referred, but that situation will need to be managed separately and acutely by the GP or referral to another mental health service. Individuals in acute mental health crisis (eg an episode of psychosis or new onset suicidality/self-harm) will not be suitable for our service; it is best to request the help of other acute mental health services and consider referring to our service when the acute crisis has resolved.
Referrals for medical advice are not accepted.
How to refer:
- Preferred option is self-referral: patients can phone 0131 537 9128 to request a referral form*
- To refer a patient, please telephone 0131 537 9128 to request a referral form to be emailed to you*. Completed Referral forms can be emailed from a secure NHS address. Please ensure that patients are aware of their referral to the service, that they wish to be referred, and that they are aware of the remit of the service, as described above and in the Patient Information Leaflet.
*Once the SIBPS website is updated, this will be available online.
Low intensity interventions may be considered for individuals presenting with mild to moderate psychological difficulties. Please see RefHelp pages for the specific presentation or consider an online CBT programme such as Beating the Blues, which may also be helpful.
Scottish Infected Blood Psychology Service (SIBPS) – Final Leaflet.pdf
A website is forthcoming.
