The pain clinic, run by First Steps in Caterham, has provided a unique approach for managing patients with chronic pain, but as of this month is no longer taking new referrals.
Since its launch three years ago, GPs in East Surrey could refer patients to the service run by a psychologist and physiotherapist, who delivered therapy in a group setting. The clinic was initially set up as a pilot, but has run on successfully, seeing around fifty patients a year.First Steps, which runs the Caterham pain clinic, has until now been an East Surrey based service. First Steps is set to go Surrey-wide this year and the pain clinic no longer seems to fit the ‘portfolio’ of First Steps services, leading to the gradual cessation of the pain clinic service in Caterham, starting with a block on new referrals.
Evaluation of the pain management service has been positive and if the service is indeed discontinued, alternatives are lacking for patients who may not be suitable for the pain clinic run by the anaesthetists at East Surrey. Consequently, ESyDoc is trying to negotiate with SASH, the Community Provider and KCA how to maintain a service for patients suffering with chronic pain.
KCA, who also provide the IAPT New Thoughts service, have taken over some of the psychology trained staff from First Steps, so there may be scope to write a business case for joining the current anaesthetist-led clinic at East Surrey Hospital with a more psychological/physiotherapy based approach.
Michael Bosch leads on the project, so if you have questions, would like to get involved or simply tell us your views, please email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
