Conditions treated by the Pain Control Service

We see many children and young people with a variety of acute and chronic pain problems. Patients within the hospital who are undergoing surgery or experiencing treatment related pain are referred to us and assessed daily for as long as is required. We also provide advice for teams in the hospital regarding patients who have more complex pain problems or that have had pain for longer than expected. We do sometimes continue to see these patients longer term and may arrange from them to be referred to our outpatient multidisciplinary chronic pain management service.

Outpatient chronic pain management service

We provide a multidisciplinary assessment and treatment service for children and young people with chronic pain (continuous or recurrent pain that has lasted more than three months). Please also see our referral criteria and details on how to refer.

Patients with the following conditions may be suitable for referral:

  • Congenital or acquired neuropathic pain

  • Persistent postoperative pain (longer than two months after surgery)

  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

  • Localised chronic musculoskeletal pain (including back pain)

  • Abdominal pain

  • Chronic illness-related pain with poor response to treatment

  • Urogenital pain

There is currently a specialist headache clinic within the hospital run by Dr Prabhakar – Consultant in Paediatric Neurology. Therefore, we do not usually accept referrals for patients with headaches. For further information on this service please see the headache clinic information page.

Services and treatments:

All patients referred to the service will receive a multidisciplinary assessment. An individualised pain management plan will be put in place where appropriate which may include elements of:

  • general pain management advice
    chronic pain education
    analgesic medication review and medication management
    psychologically informed assessment and care, including pain management strategies.
    group pain management programme/education
    physiotherapy
    non-pharmacological strategies (e.g.Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
    complimentary and integrative medicine 
We will discuss these treatment options with you at your appointment. Please also see our clinical information leaflets for more information.