Chronic pain is pain lasting over three months, which lasts beyond the expected healing time of an illness or injury. It is also known as persistent or long-term pain. While chronic pain is complex and usually not curable, it can often be managed with time and effort. 

Our pain management team aims to support people to self-manage their pain, improving function and quality of life. Our team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists, work together to understand the factors that can influence pain – this is called a multidisciplinary approach. 

Chronic pain is complicated, and many different things influence it. These include things like how your body moves, activity and fitness levels, emotional wellbeing and your support network – we call these biopsychosocial factors.  Together, we look at how you currently manage your pain, and how we can support you to hopefully reduce the impact of pain on your life & live well with pain. 

Chronic pain can be frustrating, especially when tests or scans show no damage or injury. We know your pain is real and its impact on your life is very real. People with chronic pain often experience other symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or low mood. 

Self-management is key to living with chronic pain; this may include staying active, managing stress, eating a healthy diet, and connecting with other people. Scientific research helps us to understand how complex chronic pain is, and how important it is to look at all the factors that may influence it. 

Contact details

0300 613 4201
(option 4 then option 4)
Monday – Friday
8.30am - 4.30pm 

fhft.pain.clinic@nhs.net

Clinical lead
Dr Mohjir Baloch 

Service lead
Jess Watts consultant physiotherapist 

More information

Ways in which you can be referred into our service are:

  • GP advice and guidance via eRS electronic system.
  • GP referral via eRS electronic system. 
  • FHFT consultant referral via our electronic patient record.

We have two referral routes for patients to be referred to us they are:

  • FHFT eRS referral triage - pain management - chronic pain triage
    This is for medication and medical assessment.
  • FHFT eRS referral triage - pain management - physio / psychology triage
    This is for physio and psychology assessment and management.

  • How does pain affect your day?  
  • Does anything help your pain or make it worse? 
  • How has the pain affected your physical health? e.g. looking after yourself, walking, getting out and about. 
  • How has the pain affected your emotional health? e.g. feelings of frustration, stress, or sadness - everyday things that you used to find easy become more difficult with chronic pain 
  • If your pain levels were less, what would you like to be doing more of?  
  • We will ask about your support network e.g. friends and family 
  • We will also ask questions about all areas regarding your health including physical and mental as well as if there is a background of neurodivergence. 
  • List of medication/supplements / previous treatments 

  • Prepare some questions to ask at the appointment 
  • Think about what you are expecting to get out of the appointment  
  • Think about how you would answer the questions above  
  • Write things down and bring this with you to your appointment. We understand that chronic pain can often make it difficult to concentrate and remember things 
  • Bring a list of your current medications and any supplements  
  • Making decisions to help you live well with chronic primary pain 
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment e.g. a supportive family member, carer or friend 
  • Inform us if you need a translator, as we cannot use family members, this is not our Trust policy 

  • Comprehensive assessment: A detailed evaluation of your pain, medical history, and its impact on your life. 
  • Personalised care plan: Tailored treatment options, including physical, psychological, and medical therapies. 
  • Team-based approach: Access to a multidisciplinary team of pain specialists, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists and lived experience practitioner. 
  • Education and support: Resources to help you understand and manage your condition more effectively. 
  • Goal-oriented focus: Strategies to improve function, reduce pain's impact, and enhance your quality of life. 
  • Safe medication management: Expert guidance on appropriate and effective use of medications, if needed. 
  • Self-management tools: Empowering techniques to build resilience and manage pain independently. 
  • Follow-up care: Ongoing support to monitor progress and adjust your care plan as needed. 

  • Active participation: Engage fully in the treatment process and attend all scheduled appointments. For virtual appointments we ask that you have your camera turned on and that you are in a private and confidential space free from distractions and interruptions.  
  • Open communication: Share honest and detailed information about your pain, medical history, and challenges. 
  • Commitment to your plan: Follow the agreed-upon care plan, including exercises, therapies, or medication guidelines. 
  • Willingness to learn: Be open to understanding new ways of managing your pain, including self-management techniques. 
  • Realistic expectations: Recognise that pain management focuses on improving function and quality of life, rather than complete pain elimination. 
  • Feedback and collaboration: Inform us about what works, what doesn’t, and any concerns, so we can adjust your care plan. 
  • Respect for the process: Understand that meaningful progress may take time and requires consistent effort. 
  • Punctuality and preparation: Arrive on time and prepared for your appointments to make the most of these sessions.