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House of Lords Debate on Pain Management Services in England
On 7 July 2010, Lord Luce, cross-bench Peer, led a short debate on pain management services in England in the Main Chamber of the House of Lords.
The Debate was to “To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they will take to provide access to multidisciplinary pain management services in the National Health Service for those experiencing chronic pain.”
Several Peers drew on their own personal experiences to highlight the seriousness of chronic pain and the importance of good pain management.
Speaking on behalf of the Government, Earl Howe acknowledged that “chronic pain can be a devastating condition”.
He confirmed that the Government is to continue funding for a national pain audit, led by the British Pain Society in collaboration with Dr Foster. He said a report was expected in 2012.
He said that the Government will promote the development of best practice pathways for chronic pain, with providers being rewarded for quality of care.However, he was “not persuaded at the moment that a tsar or a national strategy for chronic pain over and above current policies for improving the quality of services is necessary.”
With regard to the call for a pain score to be introduced as a fifth vital sign, Lord Howe said that current NICE guidance recommends that all patients admitted to hospital should be assessed and a decision on which clinical indicators should be monitored. He said “a pain score is one of the indicators that should be considered.”
Lord Howe concluded by offering to meet with Lord Luce and the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition to discuss the future structure of pain management services in more detail.
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