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Chronic back pain tsar appointed Doctor to champion pain sufferers
(about 9 hours later)
A senior doctor has been appointed to spearhead efforts to improve care for the thousands of Scots who suffer from chronic back pain. A senior doctor has been appointed to spearhead efforts to improve care for the thousands of Scots who suffer from chronic pain.
Almost one in five adults in Scotland live with the condition, according to research commissioned by the government in 2004.Almost one in five adults in Scotland live with the condition, according to research commissioned by the government in 2004.
Dr Pete MacKenzie has been tasked with ensuring sufferers get improved access to treatment.Dr Pete MacKenzie has been tasked with ensuring sufferers get improved access to treatment.
His appointment was announced by Public Health Minister Shona Robison.His appointment was announced by Public Health Minister Shona Robison.
Dr Mackenzie, the country's new lead clinician for chronic pain, will focus on integrating care in hospital and in the community, working more closely with voluntary sector specialists and providing more sources of treatment for pain management so that care can be provided as close to home as possible.Dr Mackenzie, the country's new lead clinician for chronic pain, will focus on integrating care in hospital and in the community, working more closely with voluntary sector specialists and providing more sources of treatment for pain management so that care can be provided as close to home as possible.
He said: "Patients tell us they need their pain to be taken seriously at an early stage so that it can be treated and they can overcome any related work or family problems.He said: "Patients tell us they need their pain to be taken seriously at an early stage so that it can be treated and they can overcome any related work or family problems.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm among staff, patients and the voluntary sector about what we can do to improve services. One of my main goals is to collaborate with them on a strategic plan for chronic pain, building on existing examples of good practice to make overall care better."There's a lot of enthusiasm among staff, patients and the voluntary sector about what we can do to improve services. One of my main goals is to collaborate with them on a strategic plan for chronic pain, building on existing examples of good practice to make overall care better.
"As a country we have begun some excellent and innovative work to help patients and to recognise chronic pain as a condition in its own right. Through working together to invest in services and education I'm confident we can do much more.""As a country we have begun some excellent and innovative work to help patients and to recognise chronic pain as a condition in its own right. Through working together to invest in services and education I'm confident we can do much more."
We particularly welcome the plan to include the voluntary sector in developing services and standards for managing chronic pain David FalconerThe Pain Association ScotlandWe particularly welcome the plan to include the voluntary sector in developing services and standards for managing chronic pain David FalconerThe Pain Association Scotland
Ms Robison said "great progress" had already been made in caring for those who suffer from chronic pain.Ms Robison said "great progress" had already been made in caring for those who suffer from chronic pain.
She added: "First and foremost, it is now recognised as a condition in its own right - a crucial step forward taken by the government.She added: "First and foremost, it is now recognised as a condition in its own right - a crucial step forward taken by the government.
"But there are still further improvements to be made, and the same high standard of care available to some patients must be made available to all."But there are still further improvements to be made, and the same high standard of care available to some patients must be made available to all.
"As lead clinician for chronic pain, Dr Pete MacKenzie will provide leadership to the many clinicians - doctors, nurses and allied health professionals - who work in the field, as well as taking charge of ensuring future progress.""As lead clinician for chronic pain, Dr Pete MacKenzie will provide leadership to the many clinicians - doctors, nurses and allied health professionals - who work in the field, as well as taking charge of ensuring future progress."
Dr MacKenzie's appointment was welcomed by David Falconer of patient's group The Pain Association Scotland.Dr MacKenzie's appointment was welcomed by David Falconer of patient's group The Pain Association Scotland.
"Many clinicians have looked to the government for national support in planning, funding and delivering services locally and that is exactly what we hope the new lead clinician role will help deliver," he said."Many clinicians have looked to the government for national support in planning, funding and delivering services locally and that is exactly what we hope the new lead clinician role will help deliver," he said.
"We particularly welcome the plan to include the voluntary sector in developing services and standards for managing chronic pain, and look forward to working with Dr MacKenzie and our voluntary and NHS colleagues.""We particularly welcome the plan to include the voluntary sector in developing services and standards for managing chronic pain, and look forward to working with Dr MacKenzie and our voluntary and NHS colleagues."