‘Left in the dark’ since Pain Clinic closure

Patients in the Welshpool area, some of whom suffer from extreme pain on a daily basis, say they have been left in the dark following the closure of the Chronic Pain Service at Oswestry's Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (RJAH) last year.

Health chiefs made the decision, saying the facility was no longer viable following the release of new guidelines issued to the NHS by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It ended on March 31.

Following their decision, Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) said it had been working hard to put new care pathways in place, but patients claim that they have been left without any treatment and are still wondering when they will be seen at an alternative facility.

“I seem to be going round in circles ringing the helpline and it is plainly obvious that there was no alternative measure in place when the Clinic was closed,” one told us. “No one seems to know what is going on and the time is ticking on with no sign of a local solution. A lot of people who are suffering have been left in the dark.”

Assembly Member, Russell George, has been contacted by several of the more than 400 concerned Mid Wales patients and is taking up their frustrations with local health bosses.

“The recent closure of the chronic pain service was already concerning for hundreds of people in North Powys who relied on this invaluable service,” said Mr George.

“This concern has been compounded by the poor communication from Powys Teaching Health Board about the options for future pain management for Powys patients.

“I have been very disappointed to have received correspondence from a significant number of constituents who have reported to me that they have received nothing by way of communications from them. I have formally written to the CEO, Carol Shillabeer, to express my disappointment.

“Apart from the matter of what appears to be poor communication with concerned patients, I will continue to urge the Health Board to offer a local clinic to be provided in Montgomeryshire.”

PTHB insisted that plans are in place to offer alternative services for local patients.

In a statement, they told us: “Our comprehensive multidisciplinary Pain Management Service for people with persistent pain offers interventions that are based on the latest NICE guidelines. “Whilst the service already covers North Powys, plans are in place to increase the number of face-to-face clinics in the north of the county following the decision by RJAH.

“Alongside this, our Pain Management Service has also developed a series of programmes that can be accessed via Skype as well as in the community and offers initial consultations via telephone.

“The PTHB service has been receiving all new referrals since November 1, 2018. For patients who had previously been referred to RJAH, we have been working with the Trust on transition arrangements if their course of treatment has not been concluded.

“We are sorry to hear that this transition has not worked smoothly in all cases. Any patient who remains concerned about their follow-up arrangements can contact the PTHB Pain Management Service on 01874 712499.”

For more information about the service, click here.