Pain Management Task Force minutes: February 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Richard Brewster, Scottish Government (Chair),
• Stephanie Rodger‑Phillips, Scottish Government
• John Wilson, Scottish Government
• Aline Williams, Pain Service Managers Network Lead
• Anna Graham, Consultant Clinical Psychologist NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Anne Wallace, Professional Advisor
• Jacqueline Watson, National Lead for Pain Management
• Judith Rafferty, Nurse Lead NHS Tayside
• Rory MacKenzie, Centre for Sustainable Delivery
• Samantha Mason, Pain Concern
• Tracy Robertson, AHP Network Lead

Apologies

• Nina Cockton, Psychology Lead Network
• Sonia Cottom, Pain Association Scotland
• Robert Sedgely, Health Improvement Manager, PHS
• Suzanne Saunders, Pain Pharmacy Network Lead

Items and actions

Welcome and Introductions

The Chair welcomed attendees and a round of introductions was made.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Minutes from the meeting on 17 December 2025 approved with an amendment: to replace ‘pathway’ with ‘toolkit’ in the CP Interface Network section and include Lived Experienced Member as an apology.

Action 1: Update 17 December 2025 minutes to reflect changes: Secretariat

Workforce Group update

The group had met the previous week. Remaining tasks include further refining of terminology and skill‑mix table. Following this, it would be discussed at the Network Leads meeting on 11 March. Publication was expected pre-or-post summer.

Action 2: Prepare revised workforce report for next Network Leads meeting on 11 March: Aline Williams

Interventions - update

The Scottish Health Technology Group (SHTG) specialist interventions recommendations were due for publication on 27 February. Discussion followed on next steps including communications. The recommendations would be discussed at the Network Leads meeting in March.

Action 3: Request draft copy of recommendations in advance of publication from SHTG: Richard Brewster

Action 4: Prepare draft comms narrative for Boards: Lyn Watson.

Core Minimum Dataset (CMD)

A Short Life Working Group (SLWG) is being established, with all NHS Boards being asked to nominate a representative to implement nationally a previously agreed CMD. Data collection would aim to provide a resource for audit, research and a robust evidence base. The group discussed the background and context of the CMD.

Action 5: Send background information for sharing with colleagues to Aline Williams: Lyn Watson.

Pain Month

Short Life Working Group (SLWG) A was to be reconvened with third‑sector and lived experience involvement to look at national communications during pain awareness month in September. Potential dates would be circulated with a first meeting to be scoped for the end of April.

Joint Network Meeting

An in‑person event to support best practice and sharing of information was being progressed for 15 May. The COSLA HQ building had been suggested as a venue with break-out rooms available. Funding was awaiting confirmation. Expected attendance was 60–70.

Action 6: Secure venue pending funding and circulate confirmation: Richard Brewster

Chronic Pain Completion Plan

A more streamlined approach to reporting was highlighted in the circulated document and feedback was welcomed. Regarding Action 9, psychology recruitment had one post out for advertisement but otherwise a full complement was reported. There was discussion on a national assessment approach to be explored for remote boards for referral to the Scottish National Pain Management Programme to reflect local services and interfaces with primary and secondary care. The Chair asked the group for suggestions if any needed on re-wording this action to reflect the discussion.

Action 7: Update Action 9 wording if needed to reflect discussion on national assessment approach: Richard Brewster and All

Action 8: Clarify Pain Management Programme funding mechanism: Richard Brewster

AOB

A meeting with Public Health Scotland (PHS) had resulted in a request to the group to permit PHS amendments to NHS Board returns to ensure alignment with readability and accessibility requirements only. The group agreed approval.

Action 9: Invite PHS representation to the next meeting of the group on 18 March: Secretariat

Next Meeting

Next meeting scheduled for 15 April 2026