Pain Management Task Force minutes: April 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Will Wood (Chair), Long Term Conditions Unit Head, Scottish Government
• John Anderson, Primary Care Lead, PHS
• Samantha Mason, Pain Concern
• Sonia Cottom, Pain Association
• Suzanne Saunders, Pain Pharmacy Network Lead
• Rory MacKenzie, Associate Clinical Director, NHS CFSD
• Jacqueline Watson, National Clinical Lead
• Lived Experience Volunteer
• Gayle McCann, Senior Policy Manager, Scottish Government

Apologies

• Lived Experience Volunteer
• Nina Cockton, Pain Psychology Network Lead
• Tracy Robertson, Pain AHP Network Lead
• Carol Campbell, Communications Manager

Items and actions

Welcome and apologies

Incoming chair welcomed everyone and informed the group that he has now taken over chair duties from Lynne Nicol.

This was also the first meeting of the group attended by Suzanne Saunders who has taken over the pain pharmacy lead role and Sonia Cottom who has joined from Pain Association.

The group were informed that Lyn Watson has been appointed as new clinical lead for chronic pain. 

Minutes of previous meeting

The previous minutes were approved and will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Implementation update

Person Centred Care (SLWGA) – The group met on 15 April and finalised the lived experience engagement toolkit and discussed potential messaging for global pain awareness month in September.

Education – The group met on 18th March, at the meeting the group discussed the work around progressing the enhanced and specialist practice types. The chairs are currently drafting the knowledge and skills framework for enhanced and specialist levels which will be discussed with the group at the next meeting. 

Third Sector Network – The group met on 9 April after a hiatus, it was felt that it was a positive meeting. The group were informed that the network are keen to continue and recognised the current financial pressures.

Remote Healthcare pathway – Scottish Government policy team met with Scottish Government digital team and Connect Me team. Both conversations were positive and policy team have been informed there is scope and support to take this forward if we can get buy in from boards to volunteer to be involved in an extended pilot. 

SNPMP – The SNPMP will be fully funded via the top slicing mechanism from this financial year onwards. National Services Division are updating service level agreement with referral criteria which they will share with us when complete.

National Standards – The group were informed that a business case has been submitted to Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) but this will be strengthened and resubmitted for upcoming financial year and future financial years. It is possible to get HIS to undertake work without associated funding but there will likely be a longer wait associated with this. 

SIGN – The SIGN guideline will be published in three waves. The group were informed that considered judgement for wave 2 has begun and the gathering of evidence for wave 3 to start shortly. Wave 1 is anticipated to be published later this year. 

Research – The group were informed that the current way forward is to utilise the research gaps identified in the SIGN guideline development process to produce a list of research priorities. Scottish Government policy is currently trying to obtain funding to support this project. 

Prescribing – The group were informed that the draft of the prescribing guide is now completed and will soon be available for consultation. The group will be informed when available.

Interventions – The evidence review has begun with expected publication in December 2025.

Data – The group were informed that Public Health Scotland have now collected data for three quarters. There is a meeting taking place later this month with Public Health Scotland to discuss how robust the data is and discuss next steps for publication. 

Risk Register

The group were informed thatrisks relating to clinical leadership and third sector engagement have been closed. There are no new emerging risks. 

Finance

The group were informed that the healthcare quality and improvement division has received budget for the upcoming financial year with a meeting to be arranged to discuss what each areas budgets will be for the year. At time of the meeting, it was not known what funding will be available for chronic pain however this should be available for next meeting when an update will be provided.

Communications

With a new Clinical Lead now in place, board visits will recommence. In response to requests from various stakeholders, policy team will produce and share an implementation progress flash report.

AOB

The group were informed that the new clinical lead will step down from their role as pain nurse network lead upon taking up their new position. The previous clinical lead is continuing in a half day role for a time as support in the transition.