Doctor appointed Government Pain Champion

Irene Logan and Des Quinn attended the Cross Party Group on Chronic Pain in the Scottish Parliament on the 22nd April. At this meeting there was the opportunity to meet many clinicians from across the UK, several MSP's, representatives of voluntary groups such as ourselves and patients as well.

It was at this meeting that the announcement that Dr Pete MacKenzie was to be Scotland's Pain Champion and lead clinician on chronic pain in Scotland. He has been appointed to spearhead efforts to improve care for the thousands of Scots who suffer from chronic pain. His role is is to ensure sufferers get improved access to treatment. Recent research commissioned by the Scottish government in 2004 found that almost one in 5 adults in Scotland lived with chronic pain.

Dr MacKenzie said Patients tell us they need their pain to be taken seriously at an early stage so that it can be treated and they can overcome any related work or family problems.

Dr MacKenzie's new role was announced by Public Health Minister Shona Robison. He will be spending 2 days a week on the role which will involve the evaluation of existing facilities and treatments and reporting back to the parliament. He will still be carrying out his clinical duties at the coal face in the Southern General pain clinic.

He also said As a country we have begun some excellent and innovative work to help patients and to recognise chronic pain as a condition in its own right. Through working together to invest in services and education I'm confident we can do much more.

 As the lead clinician for chronic pain in Scotland, he will look at improving the links between primary, secondary and tertiary care facilities. This will involve looking at facilities in hospitals, the wider community, and also working more closely with the voluntary sector. The aim is to provide care as close to the home as possible as well as making the exiting care facilities more well known.

  Speaking of the need for the different sectors to collaborate, Dr Mackenzie said There's a lot of enthusiasm among staff, patients and the voluntary sector about what we can do to improve services. One of my main goals is to collaborate with them on a strategic plan for chronic pain, building on existing examples of good practice to make overall care better.

Dr MacKenzie's appointment was welcomed by David Falconer of patient's group The Pain Association Scotland.

Many clinicians have looked to the government for national support in planning, funding and delivering services locally and that is exactly what we hope the new lead clinician role will help deliver, he said.

We particularly welcome the plan to include the voluntary sector in developing services and standards for managing chronic pain, and look forward to working with Dr MacKenzie and our voluntary and NHS colleagues.

Public Health Minister Shona Robison spoke of the great progress that had already been made in caring for those who suffer from chronic pain in Scotland.

Ms Robison also said First and foremost, it is now recognised as a condition in its own right - a crucial step forward taken by the government.

But there are still further improvements to be made, and the same high standard of care available to some patients must be made available to all.

As lead clinician for chronic pain, Dr Pete MacKenzie will provide leadership to the many clinicians - doctors, nurses and allied health professionals - who work in the field, as well as taking charge of ensuring future progress.

A video can be found here

Last Updated on Monday, 27 April 2009 11:47 Created: Thursday, 23 April 2009 17:24