Psychological support during training can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. It can help navigate significant life events, provide tools to deal with burnout, stress and anxiety, and help make sense of difficult situations at work.
Psychological support is available for doctors, dentists, or a pharmacists on a Welsh training programme via the Professional Support Unit (PSU) from Hammet Street Consultants Ltd (HSC).
You can discuss a potential HSC referral with your PSU Case Manager, who can action a referral to a HSC therapist if agreed.
The support they offer includes:
The PSU case manager may offer HSC therapy sessions as part of your support plan, which consists of an initial assessment plus five treatment sessions with a psychologist. Should you and your therapist think that further sessions are needed to complete the intervention, an application for up to four further sessions is available via HSC.
To enquire about psychological support, please contact HEIW.professionalsupport@wales.nhs.uk.
We offer tailored support for neurodivergent residents/trainees, recognising the importance of inclusive, person-centred development. Our approach is grounded in understanding individual strengths as well as challenges, and we work collaboratively with residents/trainees to identify practical strategies that enhance performance, confidence, and wellbeing in demanding clinical and academic environments.
Our services include one-to-one coaching focused on organisation, exam preparation, communication, and workplace strategies; access to a range of self-help tools and curated resources; and consultation with neurodiversity-informed psychologists who can support areas such as cognitive overload, anxiety, and executive functioning. Where appropriate, we can also arrange referral to an educational psychologist in line with COPMeD guidance, specifically for the assessment of dyslexia.
While we cannot arrange diagnostic assessments for other neurodivergent presentations such as ADHD or autism, we can offer access to neurodiversity-informed psychological support. These sessions focus on practical strategies to manage challenges identified by the individual, helping them to navigate training more effectively.
Our aim is to foster an environment where every resident/trainee feels understood, supported, and able to thrive and achieve their full potential.
For further information about Dyslexia, ADHD and Autism please see the FAQs. (link)
You may also find the following websites useful:
Neurodiversity Resources | London
Embracing neurodiversity in the workplace | NHS Employers
Neurodiversity training and support
The Conference Of Postgraduate Medical Deans (UK) (COPMeD) developed guidance for adjustments in the workplace: equitable access to assessment and support for neurodiverse PGDiTs.pdf.
The group also developed a ‘train the trainers’ workshop to awareness and early identification of trainees with performance issues, recurrent unsuccessful exam attempts or developmental outcomes at ARCP. This is delivered by the PSU and available on request by emailing HEIW.Workshops.PSU@wales.nhs.uk.
In Wales, the PSU can provide access to educational psychologist for dyslexia assessments through Hammet Street Consultants Ltd.
To enquire about neurodiversity support, please contact HEIW.professionalsupport@wales.nhs.uk.
How neurodiversity can impact a trainee/training