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Psychology for Major Trauma patients

What does the Psychology service offer?

Suffering multiple injuries requiring intensive treatment and rehabilitation is inevitably distressing. The way this unfolds varies a lot between different people and their individual circumstances.

Encouragingly, the distress caused by a traumatic injury usually starts to settle as a person’s physical recovery progresses. However, for some, the emotional impact can become a concern, and in those circumstances, we have the expertise in our team to help.

Our Clinical Psychology team members are specialists in this area of work, and it is their role to offer effective support in a timely way.

This service has several roles, including:

  • Offering emotional support, including psychological assessment and interventions, for patients throughout their time in Southmead Hospital and after discharge.
  • Supporting patients with the experience of being in hospital.
  • Helping patients adjust to living with traumatic injuries, managing the demands of the injury, and the demands of rehabilitation more generally.
  • Helping patients through the experience of medical interventions. This can include:
    • Supporting and preparing patients if they are anxious about procedures such as blood tests and surgery.
    • Helping patients to talk to their family members about surgery.
    • Supporting patients after surgery.

Our specialist Clinical Psychologists are Dr James Warren, and Dr Joanna Latham, who leads the Major Trauma Psychology Service.

Joanna Latham and James Warren

Frequently asked questions

I’ve been referred to a Psychologist. What can I expect when I meet with the Psychologist?

After asking for your consent to discuss your worries, they will ask about how you are managing with your injuries and your treatment.

They will ask about the things that are most important to you looking ahead in your plan of care with the Major Trauma team.

They can provide information and advice about what others have found helpful and work out what further support you may need.

What happens to the information I share with the Clinical Psychologist?

Information will always be kept private and confidential, unless there is reason to think there is a risk of harm to you or others. The Psychologist will talk to you about this first whenever possible.


The Psychologist works as a member of your multidisciplinary healthcare team and will communicate with your healthcare team (for example, your GP or consultant) about the work they have done with you.

How long can I see the psychologist for?

Sessions usually last up to an hour. 

Sometimes, it may be enough to meet with the Psychologist once or twice for you to feel you can take things forward with the support you already have in place, but others may need more sessions.

I can see this could be helpful for me. How do I arrange to see a psychologist?

If you feel you need this service, then it is possible to move this forwards yourself. 

Either ask someone from your hospital care team or contact the Psychology base. The details are on the back of this leaflet.

Our specialist Clinical Psychologists are Dr James Warren, and Dr Joanna Latham, who leads the Major Trauma Psychology Service.

Patient Feedback

“I’ve never spoken to anyone about my feelings before... I’ve always been a man’s man. After my first session talking with the psychologist, I’ve been speaking to everyone. They were really surprised about how I’ve opened up. I’m having really deep conversations with my friends and family which has helped. I feel like a different person!” - Mr A, injury through assault

“The psychologist had helped me throughout the whole recovery, as an inpatient and outpatient. They helped me think about my needs and helped me realise what I can do and the strength that I have, even though I didn’t know I had it.


The recovery has not been easy in any shape or form but it has been so helpful to be able to speak to the psychologist, learn why and how I think about situations, and to take the difficult step in driving again. There are not enough words for me to express my gratitude for what the psychologist has helped me through.” - Mrs C, road traffic collision.

 

“These appointments were so integral to my healing and my wellbeing. They honestly were really important to me, really helping. The weekly appointments were my safe space. After each session it sets me up for the day with calmness.” - Mr M, work-related crush injury

 

“This is the first time I’ve really felt heard. Thank you for listening to me.” - Mr P, fall from height

 

“Thank you for being so easy to talk to. These psychology sessions have been the best thing for me since the accident.” - Mrs H, road traffic collision.

Contact the clinical psychology team

Major Trauma Office

Gate 19, Level 2, Brunel building

Southmead Hospital

Westbury-on-Trym

Bristol

BS10 5NB

Email: MT&PlasticsPsychologyTeam@nbt.nhs.uk

Phone: 0117 414 1543 (Opening times: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm)

Psychology for Major Trauma patients