Pain Management

The Chronic Pain Service at University Hospital Lewisham is an outpatient pain management service that helps patients who live with chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain, joint pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome. 

Chronic pain is pain that has lasted longer than 3 to 6 months. It affects approximately 1 in 10 people in the UK.

Chronic pain can have a significant impact upon a person’s life including their physical activity, relationships and mood. Pain is complicated and research suggests that the best approach is to try and manage the difficulties it causes, instead of just trying to change the pain on its own.

Location

Anaesthetics Department, 2nd floor, Ravensbourne Block, University Hospital Lewisham

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Contact

Direct Number: 020 8690 9127

About our team

We are a multi-disciplinary team made up of medical doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, specialist nurses and administrative support who provide evidence based services for patients who have persistent pain.

Our goal is to provide high quality symptom management, to help reduce pain sensations and help you to take an active role in managing your pain enabling you to live an active life. We aim to see you within 18 weeks after referral.


Services available

The clinic provides a wide range of services, including:

  • Medication
  • Procedures and interventions
  • Psychological treatment

How to get a referral

You can be referred to us by your GP. Our pain consultants review all referrals before offering an appointments to ensure you have been referred to the appropriate service.

 

What to expect after you’ve been referred

When we have received your referral you will be sent an appointment to see one of our pain consultants. Your first appointment may last between 30 – 40 minutes and we will assess your pain and suggest a treatment plan.

This assessment may include:

  • A review of your pain medications – please bring a list of current medications with you. If you do not do this, your appointment may be cancelled.
  • A physical examination.
  • It may involve some discussion about other factors which might be affecting your pain such as exercise and activity, your diet, your stress level and mood.
  • In some cases the doctor might suggest further investigations, these could include blood tests, x-rays, MRI scans and nerve conduction studies.

The treatment plan may include:

  • New medication strategy
  • Nurse clinic appointments for a review of your pain relief medication
  • TENS machines / external neuromodulation
  • A referral to a pain management programme, the Centre for Active Lifestyle Management (CALM). This is an option for patients who are registered with a Lewisham GP.
  • Individual psychology sessions to help develop ways to cope with the pain and the problems it causes. Download our linical Psychology in Chronic Pain Service leaflet
  • Injections, which can give you a temporary respite from pain and help you become more active
  • Referral to Physiotherapy.

Procedures available:

  • Epidurals
  • Capsaicin Patch
  • Facet joint injections
  • Joint injections
  • Pulsed or Continuous Radiofrequency
  • Trigger points
  • Nerve Root Injections
  • Other nerve blocks

To find out more about the procedures available download our Chronic Pain Service Procedure Leaflet.

During your consultation, a decision may be made to offer you a procedure. If this happens, you will be put on our waiting list and we will send you an appointment.

You may be booked for a single injection or a course of treatment.

If you cannot attend your appointment

Please call 020 8690 9127 and let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment. If you do not attend your appointment and have not let us know in advance that you are not coming we will have to discharge you.

As we are a teaching hospital, medical students may be present for your consultation. If you would rather they were not present, please let the doctor know when you attend.

All of this information can also be found in our Chronic Pain Service leaflet.

Meet our team

Pain consultants:

  • Dr Pierluigi di Vadi
  • Dr Remigiusz Lecybyl

Clinical psychologists:

  • Dr Stephanie Jarrett
  • Dr Anna Ferguson

Specialist nurses:

  • Tamzin Bunton
  •  Maria Pedro
  •  Jo Newson
  •  Paula Nash

Secretary:

  • Maria Williams

Admissions co-ordinator:

  • Jan Sheppard