EDITORIAL: October 2011
As the season for using the Action on Pain Mobile Information Unit draws to a close it is perhaps a good time to reflect on the feedback we have received whilst "on the road" It makes for interesting reading with several common strands regardless of the location within the U.K. Top of the list is the continued frustration at being unable to gain early access to effective pain management treatment closely followed by a lack of awareness as to what may be available. Most disturbing is the news that staff posts in some pain clinics have either been downgraded or scrapped altogether.
On the plus side our volunteers on the Mobile Information Unit have been able to help a record number of people highlighting the value of getting "out on the road" The ability to help family/relatives and carers cannot be emphasised enough as they are so often neglected. It is this practical "down to earth" approach that stands Action on Pain out from the rest as we reach parts that other charities do not reach! With the economy as it and the eurozone staggering from one crisis to another the chances of extra funding for pain services in the NHS are surely remote. A clear signal that existing services need to ensure that they are working efficiently in everything they do-which sadly is currently not the case. Yet there is a real concern that there are clear signs of an inability to grasp the nettle. In an arena dominated by clinicians there needs to be a real effort to forge strong working links with the fundholders in order to show the value an effective pain service can bring. Yet when put to test most pain services would be unable to demonstrate existing effective and efficient working methods which would seriously undermine their case. Add to this the failure of various departments within an NHS Trust to develop an effective working partnership to the benefit of patients and staff alike- how often to we find evidence of this.
The answer is not to hold an expensive and grandly titled Pain Summit in London next month, nor is it to form a UK Pain Alliance which will become yet another talking shop along the lines of the exisiting Chronic Pain Policy Coalition. Perhaps the people behind these grandious plans should ask themselves how such moves will help people affected by chronic pain who live in rotten conditions on a "sink" estate with few facilities? The money being spent on these two projects could provide much needed on-going practical support by strengthening the pain services within that area. Here at Action on Pain we feel strongly that the organisers of these two projects are out of touch with reality both in terms of the economic situation the UK faces and what people affected by pain really need. Our research whilst "out on the road" shows overwhelming support from the public for the Action on Pain position. Is it a forlorn hope that others will take note? Here at Action on Pain we have done just that!