MATTER OF URGENCY…Pain clinics at the South West Acute Hospital
WE MAY have the ‘most modern and up to date hospital’ in the North, but a lack of pain clinics is now a ‘major health issue’.
That’s the view of local UUP councillor Raymond Farrell, who is employed as a mental health practitioner within the Western Trust.
Having previously led the calls for better pain services at the South West Acute Hospital, he now views the issue as a ‘matter of urgency’.
“I am increasingly concerned at both the increase in people experiencing chronic pain in the South West region”, he stated, “and the continual lack of progress in ensuring an accessible and effective increase in pain clinics in the area.
“It does not sit well with me that in a region that has the most modern and up to date hospital in Northern Ireland, that we do not have a specific pain clinic in the South West Acute hospital and so have patients having to travel to Omagh or Londonderry to receive treatment and support.”
He went on: “We are seeing increasing numbers of people suffering from the likes of arthritis, fibromyalgia and musculoskeletal problems, and to have to travel significant distances is difficult both practically and physically in terms of pain and discomfort.
“This is a major health issue, and when you consider that something like 41% of people have in the past consulted with their GP looking guidance on managing pain, we see the scale of the problems we are dealing with.”
Mr Farrell said pain had a major impact on the sufferers daily life, be that their mental health or their very lifestyle.
Likewise, the impact on the economy was also massive, with days at work lost.
“The issue needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency, and I will be seeking answers from the Trust as to how we can address this problem much more effectively.”
Last November, a Western Trust spokesman confirmed there were no plans to provide pain clinics at the South West Acute Hospital.
But, she added: “The Trust has been developing a “hub-and-spoke” model for chronic pain management that would centre pain activity and resources in Tyrone County Hospital, with satellite activity in the South West Acute Hospital and Altnagelvin.
“There are no plans at present to provide clinics at the South West Acute Hospital.”
The spokesman admitted that the principal limiting factor to the expansion of clinics was the availability of medical staff with expertise in pain management.
But, she submitted that patients receive an excellent service from the Pain Management Team.
Yesterday a Trust spokesman confirmed this position has not changed.
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