Pain cafes (peer support groups) for people with pain are springing up over Cornwall, please see the website here for further information: www.pain.cafe

YOU ARE HERE (print this out to find this page)

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS

GPs and specialists in Cornwall have teamed up to write this document to help explain the modern theories about chronic pain and give you advice on how to feel better living with your pain using supported self management.

CHRONIC PAIN - THE ANSWERS – here is all you need to get moving towards a better life. Don’t print it, use it electronically. Good luck!

INFORMATION FOR CLINICIANS - VIDEO PRESENTATIONS - PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES

VIDEO - Most recent update March 19 here (6 mins) Cornwall's prescribing update, how last year's videos performed and introducing our NEW video...

VIDEO -  “If I don’t prescribe.... what do I do?”   This video takes you from meeting a pain sufferer through to making a coherent plan in 3 consultations; bosh. You’ll need the HNA questionnaire and the pain cycle paperwork in consultation 2 (18mins) March 19

VIDEO – Deprescribing opioids - when, why and how - practice based and consultation strategies (30mins) March 18

VIDEO – The opioid trial - when, why and how – when to try opioids SAFELY (30mins) March 18

July 2017 VIDEO – Cornwall’s opioid strategy – the demedicalisation of chronic pain – an overview of the opioid climate, our strategy in Cornwall and where you, the clinicians, fit into the program (15 mins)

PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS FOR PATIENTS

Here are some useful printable documents:

Thinking of trying opioids? Feeling like you might need to use an OPIOID CONTRACT? Here is written information to give patients in advance of an opioid trial with a treatment agreement and an opioid risk tool

Discussing tapering and/or stopping opioids? Here is written information to give to patients explaining the rationale of deprescribing opioids

Want to write to patients already on opioids? Here is a suggested letter to patients inviting them to make an appointment – it introduces and explains the concept of deprescribing and why it might be a good option

What information can I give to patients on weaker opioids? Here is a suggested flyer to attach to weak opioid scripts explaining how to try a “drug holiday” to see if they can come off their medications

PRINTABLE DOCUMENTS FOR CLINICIANS

Summary of NICE / SIGN indications for analgesics

AUTHORS:

Dr Jim Huddy GP and NHS Kernow clinical lead for chronic pain

Dr Keith Mitchell consultant in pain medicine

Dr Adrian Flynn consultant in liaison psychiatry

Dr Paul Fortun consultant gastroenterologist

Royal Cornwall Hospital

Last updated March 2019

With thanks to the Perranporth Surgery Patient Participation Group