Practitioner Health Programme (PHP)/Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service (TDDSS)

The Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service (TDDSS) is a psychoeducation and support service which aims to offer a range of interventions to support trainees on programmes managed by HEE Local Offices in London & the South East.

Who is eligible?

Any postgraduate trainee doctors and dentists with a current London or KSS training number will be eligible to self-refer to the new service. Separately, HEE have been commissioning PHP to provide Occupational Mental Health services for post registration pharmacy, medical and dental trainees in KSS. Pharmacy trainees are no longer be eligible. Initial contact can be made via email or phone contact.

Trainees are welcome to contact Trainee Doctors & Dentist Support Service (TDDSS) if you have any queries or would like to self-refer to the service.

How to access the service

Please complete the online registration form, together with the wellbeing questionnaire. You will then be contacted to arrange a time for a short introductory call. We will then give you access to our smartphone app which will enable you to book an assessment appointment

The service is delivered as part of the PHP+ programme of work, hosted by the NHS Practitioner Health Programme. However this service is not for doctors or dentists who are unwell or suffering from major mental health concerns. These issues should be addressed to your GP or occupational health. Where eligible you may also access the NHS Practitioner Health Programme (www.php.nhs.uk) or NHS GP Health service (www.gphealth.nhs.uk)

What can this service offer?

Following your self-referral, you will be contacted by a clinician for a brief telephone discussion to assess your suitability for the service, and answer any questions you may have. This may last up to 15 minutes.

If you and the clinician agree that TDDSS would be a suitable service for you, you will be invited to participate in a longer face to face or telephone assessment. Face to face assessment will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Brunswick Centre near Russell Square in central London.

Following this assessment you may be offered one of the following:

Access to online CBT support tools
Drop in peer support/reflective practice group
Access to psychoeducational groups e.g. Mindfulness programme
Access to a topic based event, such as a ‘stress and examinations’ event, which will be held across London and the South East

You may also be offered further follow up sessions with your assessing clinician (capped at a maximum of 4 sessions)

We may also be able to offer help, advice and signposting around issues such as alcohol or substance misuse and other helpful coping strategies.

Who might I see for assessment and treatment?

After your initial assessment, you will be guided towards the most suitable clinician to help you.

The team is led by Prof Clare Gerada (Medical Director) GP and Psychiatrist.

The wider PHP team is made up of psychiatrists, GPs, specialist nurses, therapists, and an admin team.

A full list of all the clinical and admin staff can be found here:
http://php.nhs.uk/what-is-the-practitioner-health-programme/the-php1-team/

Where is the new service based?

Initially all new assessments and addictions services will be provided at Riverside Medical Centre in Vauxhall, a short (2 min) walk from the tube, overground and bus station.

Sessions for CBT and supportive counselling are currently offered at Vauxhall, King’s Cross, Victoria, Monument and London Bridge.

There are future plans to provide all services, including initial assessments at different locations across London in the future.

Contact Details

Riverside Medical Centre, Hobart House, St George Wharf. Wandsworth Road. SW82JB

England.phpadmin@nhs.net / 0203 049 4505

Alternatively, if you would like to hear about other services available you can contact the PSU directly by emailing: psu.lase@hee.nhs.uk or call Joyce Antubam (PSU Team Leader) on 0207 866 3132 during office hours.