Pain management service delivery framework: implementation plan update

Annex A: Response to Feedback

(1) Investment

We are implementing this strategy in a very challenging fiscal context. Using funding from the chronic pain programme budget we continue to directly fund the Scottish National Residential Pain Management Programme, as well as work on the on the provision of the quarterly waiting times statistics, the chronic pain workstream being undertaken by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, and clinical and expert leadership to develop and deliver the actions in the plan.

The Scottish Budget delivers funding for community and primary care health services such as GP practices where the vast majority of people with chronic pain seek support. Funding which has been used specifically for the assessment and treatment of chronic pain differs across NHS Health Boards based on local population needs.

The Scottish Government’s role is to set the strategic policy for the NHS in Scotland. NHS Boards and healthcare professionals locally have responsibility for both service delivery and people’s care.

(2) Reporting Progress

We have heard from stakeholders during our recent engagement that there is interest in following the progress of the implementation of the actions outlined in the plan. We are in the process of updating the chronic pain pages on the Scottish Government website and publishing the minutes of the Task Force to ensure transparency of the work we are undertaking to meet our commitments.

Additionally, we will be providing updates via our newsletter which will be issued on a rolling four-month basis. You can sign up for the newsletter at the following link: Chronic Pain Newsletter.

An annual report on progress towards the strategic Aims and Actions identified in this plan, will be published, to allow ongoing oversight and reporting of progress.

We will develop a comprehensive strategy to provide clear and accessible communication of the Framework, progress against our Aims, and opportunities to be involved in delivery of its Actions where appropriate. This will help to foster stronger relationships across the chronic pain community and enable individuals and organisations at all levels to better co-design care and support in line with the needs and expectations of people with chronic pain in Scotland.

(3) Publication of waiting times data for return appointments

A recurring theme in the feedback from people with chronic pain has been an interest in the publication of waiting times data for return appointments, which is not currently available. Waiting times for first appointments to clinician led chronic pain appointments are currently reported every quarter on the PHS website, Publications - Public Health Scotland. Action 16 concerns working with PHS to improve how we capture and report national data on chronic pain, the current focus of which is to review and improve waiting times data for first appointments. We are considering the feasibility of collecting and reporting national data on waits for return appointments.

(4) Reducing Inequalities

During our engagement sessions our stakeholders said it was essential to ensure equity of access for chronic pain services across Scotland regardless of, for example, gender, location or information access needs.

We are updating our Equality Impact Assessment which will inform the implementation of the actions outlined in this plan and the work of our Networks and SLWGS.

(5) Feedback

During the engagement sessions which informed this update, we heard that it was important to stakeholders there is a process to give ongoing feedback.

If you have feedback regarding the Implementation Plan, please email: chronicpain@gov.scot (please note we won’t be able to respond to each e-mail individually but will analyse key themes and consider for future planning).

If you have feedback regarding your care:

You may wish to consider sharing your experience of the care you have received from the NHS via Care Opinion. Care Opinion is an independent website where patients, their carers or family members can tell other people about their experiences of healthcare services. NHS Boards are alerted to stories posted about services in their area and are encouraged by the Scottish Government to post responses stating what they have done in light of what patients have said. Its aim is to make it easier for people to give feedback and for NHS Boards to get those opinions to the people who need to see them and ultimately, to make services better. You can share your story online at www.careopinion.org.uk or if you would rather do that by telephone, the number is 0800 122 3135.

(6) Evaluation

We will produce a policy evaluation framework which will set out a shared understanding of how we measure the impact of individual policies on people living with chronic pain.

This will namely be around; setting common definitions, identifying patient outcomes, setting the rationale for data collection and presenting options for measuring impact.

At the end of the process, evaluation provides feedback, recognises achievements that have been made, identifies ways of improving and supporting evidence-based decision making.