THERE are no plans to provide pain clinics at the South West Acute Hospital despite calls for a specialist consultant to be in place to improve services here.
Local UUP councillor Raymond Farrell has spoken to constituents with these problems and feels changes must be made as the psychological impact can be devastating.
Speaking to the Herald Mr Farrell , pictured, said: “I think it is essential that a specialist consultant in pain is available and accessible to the people of the south west and based in the South West Acute Hospital.
“Pain is one of the most debilitating things anyone can experience and the impact it has on the psychological welfare of an individual is significant.
“People who suffer tell me they are reluctant to travel distances or have in some cases to depend on others to get to a pain clinic outside Fermanagh. That is often not practical or sustainable.
“I think we should also explore the option of utilising staff with specialist training in pain management locally to educate and advice sufferers with pain management techniques and strategies.”
In response the Western Trust have said there are a comprehensive range of services available at both the Tyrone County Hospital and Altnagelvin Area Hospital.
A Western Health and Social Care Trust (Western Trust) spokesman said: “The Trust’s Pain Management Service currently support a comprehensive range of chronic pain management supports through Consultant Anaesthetists based at both the Tyrone County Hospital and Altnagelvin Hospital sites.
These include outpatient clinics at Altnagelvin and Tyrone County Hospital, interventional techniques at Altnagelvin and Tyrone County Hospital and a pain management programme based at Tyrone County Hospital.
“The Trust has been developing a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model for chronic pain management within the Trust. This would centre pain activity and resources in Tyrone County Hospital with satellite activity in the South West Acute Hospital and Altnagelvin.”
The Trust say there are no plans at present to provide clinics at the South West Acute Hospital and explained there were a factors which contributed to this decision.
“The principal limiting factor to the expansion of clinics is the availability of medical staff with expertise in pain management.
“Recruitment remains challenging and suitably trained specialists are projected to remain in short supply for some time.
“However, patients receive an excellent service from the Pain Management Team which has a track record for making sure patients are seen as quickly as possible.
“We appreciate that a small number of patients have to travel to avail of this service; however, the current service is meeting the clinical care needs of patients and will continue to do so,” the Trust spokesman said.
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