- About Policy Connect
- Policy Connect Activities
- National Skills Forum & Associate Parliamentary Skills Group
- Skills Commission
- Higher Education Commission
- Associate Parliamentary Health Group
- Chronic Pain Policy Coalition
- All Party Parliamentary Group on Chronic Pain
- Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group
- Westminster Sustainable Business Forum
- Sustainable Resource Forum
- Carbon Connect
- All Party Parliamentary Gas Safety Group
- Associate Parliamentary Manufacturing Group
- Associate Parliamentary Design & Innovation Group
- Mars & Pluto Financial Forum
- Contact Policy Connect
MPs on Pain
Anne Begg MP, Adjournment Debate, April 09
“In the United Kingdom, 7.8 million people live with pain, day in and day out; that is the equivalent of about one in seven people in every single parliamentary constituency. I have asked for this debate in order to draw attention both to their problems and, more importantly, to some solutions that would not only improve the quality of life of so many of our constituents, but also reduce public expenditure on health, social care and incapacity benefits. If anyone is wondering why I, as a Scottish MP, am raising the issue of pain management services in England when health is a devolved issue, it is because I am the chairman of the recently set up all-party group on chronic pain. I suppose I should also declare an interest: I am one of the 7.8 million people in the UK who live with chronic pain.”
Full details
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, Debate, January 2008
“I wish to concentrate my remarks on the management of chronic pain and declare my interest as the lead for the chronic pain management programme in Cardiff, and as president of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. In our little pain management programme, which I know is in Wales and not in England, so I do not expect the Minister to answer for any devolved health issues, we see people who often have had many thousands of pounds spent on them. They have had treatments to no avail and are still searching for the magic bullet, which, sadly, does not exist. For some, their problems go back many years into childhood; for others, their problems started with abuse, which was the beginning of their chronic pain and their chronic pain experience. For all of them, their condition has resulted in a series of losses: a loss of role or job, the loss of relationships, or failed intimate relationships. They become depressed, withdrawn and isolated.”
Patrick Hall MP, Early Day Motion, June 2007
“This House welcomes the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition report; applauds its efforts in bringing together leading patient groups, major professional organisations, key parliamentarians and large United Kingdom employers to share good ideas and best practice; notes the shocking evidence that 7.8 million people in the UK live with chronic pain; further notes that around half of these also develop depression and go on to lose their jobs; supports the Fifth Vital Sign campaign asking that pain be routinely assessed alongside blood pressure, pulse, respiration and temperature; and urges the Government to consider the Five Point Pain Manifesto as an appropriate, forward-looking and cost-effective approach to dealing with this silent epidemic.”
Dr Rudi Vis MP, Early Day Motion, March 2007
“That this House welcomes the positive contribution made to the health of the nation by the NHS homeopathic hospitals; notes that some six million people use complementary treatments each year; believes that complementary medicine has the potential to offer clinically-effective and cost-effective solutions to common health problems faced by NHS patients, including chronic difficult to treat conditions such as musculoskeletal and other chronic pain, eczema, depression, anxiety and insomnia, allergy, chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome; expresses concern that NHS cuts are threatening the future of these hospitals; and calls on the Government actively to support these valuable national assets.”
Malcolm Moss MP, Westminster Hall Debate, June 2006
“Chronic pain affects one in seven people in every parliamentary constituency throughout the United Kingdom. Inadequately managed, conditions associated with pain can have a devastating impact on the quality of life of individuals and their families.” “Inadequate assessment and treatment of pain should be replaced by early recognition of the problem; listening to the real needs of the patient; education and more education at all levels of the health service; funding for high-quality clinical and scientific research; and adequate provision of specialist services in both primary and secondary care.”
Paul Burstow MP, Adjournment Debate, June 2000
“My interest in the subject of pain management was first aroused by correspondence from constituents - people writing with concerns and complaints about the fact that they were having difficulty securing access to services locally, and in particular that they were waiting a considerable time.” “I hope to encourage the Minister to consider pain management, particularly the management of back pain, as a candidate for development and investment as part of the Government's NHS modernisation programme. I believe that investment in pain management services would substantial dividends for individuals, their families, their employers and society as a whole.”
Parliamentary Activity
An archive of debates, Parliamentary Questions and EDMs related to chronic pain for Westminster are available here. Questions in the Scottish Parliament are available here.
Groups:
