FOR REFERRERS
What services do you offer?
At CDS UK we offer a wide range of services including individual assessments, Intensive Psychotherapy packages, partner/carer/family support, lower intervention packages, after care packages, supervision/consultation packages and training and service development (intended for NHS care teams or equivalent).
Who can make a referral to CDS UK?
We accept referrals in writing from a clinician involved in the patient’s care, ideally this would be within primary or secondary NHS care services or equivalent.
How do I make a referral to CDS UK?
At CDS UK we accept referrals in writing sent to our secure email address enquiries@clinicds.com. Please ensure you include a signed consent form when submitting a referral; you can find a copy of the consent form here. We ask that you include as much information as possible within your referral which will enable us to review appropriateness for our service and to confirm the next steps. Please click here for further details of CDS UK’s referral process.
What happens once you receive a referral?
You and the patient will both receive an acknowledgement letter confirming receipt of the referral. The referral will then be reviewed by the CDS UK referrals team who will check to see if meets our referral criteria and they will confirm next steps.
CDS UK is an NHS-funded organisation, therefore all assessment and treatment cases need to be funded by the local NHS funding organisation. The process for doing so varies regionally; in some instances, CDS UK can assist in making a funding request and in others the commissioning body will require that a clinician involved in the patient’s care does this directly. If you do not know which process applies to your patient, we can advise on receipt of referral.
My patient has already had an assessment confirming a dissociative disorder, will they still need an assessment with you?
In most instances yes, we will need to do an assessment of every patient, even where a diagnosis has already been given for a dissociative disorder. There may be some cases where a shorter assessment may be appropriate, but this is decided on a case-by-case basis and we would need to review patient history in detail.
How long does it take for the CCG to make a decision?
Unfortunately, the time taken for a decision to be made can differ greatly due to varying factors and we are unable to give a guideline. We will follow up with them regularly, but NHS funding organisations may have their own timeframes for responses.
How quickly can an assessment date be scheduled once funding is confirmed?
At CDS UK we can usually offer an assessment within 8-12 weeks, although this is subject to change during busier periods.
How quickly can treatment commence once funding is confirmed?
We can usually offer a first session within 12 weeks, subject to therapists’ availability.
Where will assessments and treatment place?
Where possible, assessments will usually take place at the CDS UK clinic in North London. Though in circumstances where the patient is unable to travel, we can conduct the assessment locally. Psychotherapy treatment will almost always take place locally. CDS UK have specialist therapists based around the UK who travel to see the patient at a location that is safe and convenient for the patient. We find a suitable venue that is appropriate, safe and according to the patient’s needs which they can provide during assessment.
Are you able to work in conjunction with local services if treatment is approved?
Yes, we can work in conjunction with local services to the extent that local services are engaged, as this is very beneficial for the individual. Several of our patients have extensive teams around them, which we work with to provide crucial input and guidance based on our expertise and specialist knowledge of the patient’s needs due to their dissociative disorder. We also provide specialist training and consultancy on working with dissociative disorders to the local services if this is needed and if funded.
Where can I find out more about Dissociative Disorders?
We have some further information here.
You can also view a list of helpful resources that we’ve collated by clicking here.