Silver Award Winner - Pain Support Programmes in Healthy Living Centres across Northern Ireland (2020)

Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) Northern Ireland

Project Summary

Following a successful pilot of 13 ‘12 week chronic pain support programmes (PSP)‘ in Healthy Living Centres (HLCs) in N. Ireland (NI), the HSCB funded (£72k) and supported a further 32 ’HLC 12 week PSPs’ in 16 HLCs between Sept and March 19/20.

There are a number of reasons HSCB invested in PSPs, including:

• NI drug related deaths NI increased by 39%,
• High NI prescribing of opioids/gabapentinoids compared to other parts of UK and medication costs increased by approx 30% in 4 years
• Only 10% of people with chronic pain will benefit from opioids
• Long term opioid use linked to overdose and dependence
• Evidence that pain reduction of 30% from medication and improved function is considered a good outcome (many expect up to 100% relief)
• Chronic pain affects 450000 people in NI. There is limited understanding of chronic pain/its management leading to high reliance on medication.

There was a need to:

• offer an alternative to medication, and reduce reliance on medication, for chronic pain
• educate people living with chronic pain on the limitations of medication and importance of non pharmacological self management options, thus improving functioning and quality of life for those living with pain.

A steering group meets regularly to agree the structure of, and oversee, the programmes in line with evidence and best practice, and advise on improvements and the evaluation. This multidisciplinary group includes HSCB, PHA, Pain Alliance N. Ireland, Queens University Psychology and HLC representatives (including medical, pharmacy, psychology and stakeholder representatives).

Learning from the pilot programme was taken into consideration. HLC staff received training to facilitate the programmes, and on the agreed structure and evaluation, to ensure consistency.