Introduction
SHARE – Psychosexual Service sits within the Contraception and Sexual Health Service, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The service hub is at ACORN Primary Health Care Centre, Accrington and satellite services are provided in a variety of locations across the geographical boundaries of Blackpool Teaching Hospital Trust and Lancashire County Council.
Many people experience some difficulty in their sexual lives at different stages across their lifespan. Some of these resolve spontaneously, others require specialist input. Sometimes sexual difficulties have affected someone throughout their life, or the problem may be a more recent development.
Problems encountered may be related to:
• Physical or medical conditions.
• Social issues or emotional and relationship circumstances.
Often there are a combination of factors contributing to the difficulty experienced.
Whilst an adult service, the service can provide assessment and support for clients between 16-18 for brief intervention education and normalisation regarding sex and sexual function. In addition we will work with colleagues to support younger clients from 16 experiencing gender identity issues to ensure timely referral to appropriate specialist services.
SHARE-Sexual Help and Relationship Enhancement is a specialist service that works with individuals and couples to address problems with sexual functioning, relationship issues as well as concerns regarding gender, sexuality, sexual orientation and lifestyle.
The team have all completed as a minimum a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychosexual Therapy and associated specialist courses that are recognised by The College of Sex and Relationship Therapists (COSRT). We therefore abide by the COSRT code of ethics. (www.cosrt.org.uk)
Psychosexual therapy is a process of using a number of different psychological and/or physical approaches to help clients with sexual and relationship problems.
Core conditions:
• Body image issues i.e. penis size and labial concerns.
• Compulsive sexual behaviour. • Erection disorder (psychogenic, organic or combined).
• Premature (early) ejaculation, delayed ejaculation and retrograde ejaculation.
• Gender identity issues.
• Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (previously dyspareunia and vaginismus).
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (male).
• Female sexual interest / arousal disorder.
• Orgasmic disorders (male and female).
• Paraphilia.
• Relationship issues affected by the sexual problem.
• Sexual abuse which is impacting on sexual function and/or sexual relationships.
• Sexuality and Sexual orientation issues.
• Substance induced sexual disorder
Please note – this is not a forensic sexology service and thereby we do not provide therapy to sexual offenders for the offending behaviour. Forensic sexology falls within the remit of Mental Health Services.
How to refer
Referrals are received from GPs directly or indirectly following a pathway from the GP to secondary care with subsequent referral to SHARE. Referrals are made directly to the service by either completion of the service referral pro forma or letter. This can be posted or emailed into the service.
We do not accept self-referrals or self-referral into PMHT and then from PMHT to SHARE. Sexual Health Services are able to refer directly but we require the clients’ permission to contact their GP.
Referrals are received from Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and all Lancashire wide postcode localities. We provide 8 appointments per episode of care.
If relevant, please ensure investigation and examination results are attached to the referrer information. Please note for some people genital examination can be traumatic and inadvisable at referral stage. If this is the case please note this on the referral.
Received referrals will be acknowledged by email or post. If further information is required, this will be requested and the referral held until the information has been received.
Discharge information will be forwarded in a timely manner.
Out of area referrals (outside Lancashire and Blackpool) will be considered. Please contact the service to discuss further. The service can provide therapy, brief intervention, assessment, recommendations and support, specialist advice and education to clinicians and other partners.
Please see overleaf for essential required referral information.
Appointments
The service operates an appointment only system. Appointments are booked directly with the client. Choice is enabled regarding appointment times and location and the use of Attend Anywhere video platform or face to face contact.
Please ensure that your patient is aware of the nature of the service and that you are making a referral. Commitment to work within the service is required and it is essential that your patient understands this from the outset. Clients who fail to attend appointments will be discharged and you will be notified accordingly.
- Patient preferred method of contact.
- Please ensure accurate information regarding any contact restrictions.
- NHS number if available.
- “Need to know” information sharing.
- Safeguarding/RISK for both client and team
