Assistant Psychologist to support the Wakefield Older People’s Psychology Service

Overview

In 2022, Wakefield Older People’s Psychology Service in South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation NHS Trust (SWYPFT) recognised the need for an Assistant Psychologist (AP) to address several critical areas that had been strained due to clinical pressures and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The introduction of a full-time AP Band 4 aimed to enhance post-diagnostic support for people with dementia, support neuropsychological assessments, support piloting therapy groups for older adults, and support the development of psychological skills workshops for multidisciplinary colleagues. This intervention was driven by the increasing demands on qualified clinical psychologists and the need to provide more accessible psychological support for older people, while also spreading psychological knowledge across teams.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the initiative were:

• Increase the offer of psychological support post-diagnosis for people with dementia.
• Increase the offer of psychological intervention for older people with anxiety and depression.
• Reduce waiting time for one-on-one therapy and neuropsychological assessment with qualified psychologists.
• Increase the skill base and knowledge of multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Evaluate the feasibility of group interventions.

Approach

Key actions included:

• Employed a full-time Assistant Psychologist.
• Allocated the AP to support Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) groups.
• Allocated the AP to assist with scoring and administration of neuropsychological assessments to alleviate the workload on qualified clinical psychologists.
• Supported piloting therapy groups for older adults to provide an alternative to one-on-one therapy and reduce waiting lists.
• Co-facilitated skills workshops for multidisciplinary teams to increase psychologically informed care planning.

Results

The addition of the Assistant Psychologist (AP) to the team has been instrumental in several key areas. Post-diagnostic support for people with dementia has significantly improved, with the AP handling screening calls, weekly reminders, and session preparations, which have enhanced attendance and satisfaction. Outcome measures show significant cognitive improvements among group members, contributing to the service’s re-accreditation. In neuropsychological assessments, the AP’s support in scoring and scanning tests has freed up qualified psychologists’ time, allowing them to focus on other critical tasks. The anxiety and depression management group for older people has benefited from a structured manual, reducing waiting lists by offering a group alternative to individual therapy. The skills workshops have received positive feedback and consistent attendance, enhancing psychologically informed practices across the service and fostering better team relationships. Overall, these changes have not only improved patient care but also optimised the use of qualified psychologists’ time.

Lessons Learnt

Introducing post-diagnostic support groups for dementia patients required significant administrative time, which was effectively managed by an AP. Clinical supervision was essential for supporting the AP’s role and development. The AP’s involvement in neuropsychological assessments allowed qualified staff to focus on more complex cases, improving service efficiency. The initial pilot by the AP and qualified psychologist was crucial for introducing therapeutic groups for older people, highlighting the importance of collaborative groundwork. Monthly skills workshops increased psychologically informed work across teams and disciplines, facilitating open conversations on relevant topics. Staff found these sessions helpful and suggested future topics. The workshops proved valuable for both the wider workforce and for assistant, trainee, and qualified psychologists, enabling them to cover a diverse range of subjects.

Recommendations

For post-diagnostic support for people with dementia, it is essential to prioritise the CST group, given its immense value to both the service and clients. Although it can be time-consuming for qualified clinicians to manage, the benefits far outweigh the effort required. In terms of supporting neuropsychological assessments, maintaining an adequate stock of neuropsychological tests is crucial to ensure smooth and continuous service delivery. For therapy groups targeting older people, the service should remain flexible and adapt the offerings based on the number of referrals received, ensuring that the groups remain relevant and accessible. Finally, it is recommended to consistently provide psychology skills workshops, as they have proven to enhance psychologically informed work across teams and disciplines, fostering a collaborative and informed workforce.

Contact Information

Manreesh Bains, South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation NHS Trust Programme Lead,
Manreesh.bains@swyt.nhs.uk