Paediatric Psychology Support Service (PPSS)

Function First is a rehabilitation-based service for children and young people who have complex and persistent symptoms, or symptoms that are above and beyond what would usually be expected with their diagnosis.  For example, we see young people who suffer with chronic pain, dizziness, of functional neurological disorders (FND), such as functional seizures.

This service is only commissioned for young people living in Brighton and Hove.

• Dr Ruth Kendall (Senior Clinical Psychologist)
• Dr Emma Adams (Clinical Psychologist)
• Jo Lord (Senior Physiotherapist)
• Julia Krikman (Senior Occupational Therapist)
• Helen Salter (Senior Physiotherapist)
• Dr John Rabbs (Consultant Paediatrician)

Further information Function first – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Our Paediatric Oncology Psychology Service based on level 9 oncology daycare, RACH, offers support to paediatric oncology patients (up to 19 years old) and their families to cope with some of the impacts of the child’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.  The service offers psychology assessment and therapy during and after cancer treatment.

• Dr Alice Emond (Principal Clinical Psychologist)
• Dr Megan Montgomery (Clinical Psychologist)
• Dr Hannah Smith (Rockinghorse Senior Counselling Psychologist)

Our Long-Term Conditions (LTC) team supports young people and their families who are seen by a consultant paediatrician at RACH for a long-term medical condition. The service offers support to young people experiencing emotional, behavioural or interpersonal difficulties related to their illness or treatment.

• Dr Katie Wood (Senior Clinical Psychologist, currently on maternity leave – Brighton & Hove patients)
• Dr Emma Adams (Senior Clinical Psychologist, Brighton & Hove patients)
• Dr Emogen Campbell (Clinical Psychologist, Brighton & Hove patients)
• Dr Meg Macmillan (Senior Clinical Psychologist, East & West Sussex patients)

Our Paediatric Diabetes Psychology Service is located on level 10 within the Children and Young Person’s Diabetes Service at the RACH. We offer support to young people (up to 19 years) and their families under our team. We can offer immediate support following diagnosis to help with adjustment to a long-term condition and psychological assessment and treatment during any challenging times. Contact us on the below details or speak to anyone in the diabetes team to request support.   

• Dr Kerry Lum (Chartered Psychologist)
• Dr Alice Alberici (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) clinical psychology support is available to all young people receiving CF care within the UHSussex Specialist Paediatric CF centre, from diagnosis through to transition to adult CF service.

The CF clinical psychologist works within a team of CF specialists including consultants, nurse specialists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and dietitians. Families see the whole team at routine CF clinic appointments and can meet the CF clinical psychologist for separate sessions if needed. The CF clinical psychologist covers CF clinics at RACH, Brighton, Worthing Hospital, and St Richard’s hospital, Chichester.

CF Trust have published a booklet that explains the role of CF clinical psychology support in more detail.

For information about the UHSussex Specialist Paediatric CF centre please visit our service page.

• Dr Sally Harris (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

The Paediatric Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) service is based at Seaside View Child Development Centre, at Brighton General Hospital. The service offers assessment and intervention to support young people up to aged 18 who have a diagnosis of ME/CFS, and who live in Brighton and Hove.

Visit the Sussex Community website for more information.