NCAHS Multidisciplinary Pain Clinic
The North Coast Area Health Service Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic is located at Lismore Base Hospital and was opened in February 2003.
The term multidisciplinary refers to practitioners from many different health specialties being involved in the assessment and treatment of patients and recognises that pain is more than just a sensory process but is a phycical and emotional expereince. The Multidisciplinary Pain management Clinic works with clients in the management of acute, chronic non-malignant and cancer pain. It is an out-patient referral service that provides consultation, assessment and treatment of North Coast patients. The service is affiliated with the Royal North Shore Hospital Pain Management & Research Centre (PM&RC).
The Multidciplinary Team 2008
Back Row: Dr Frank Wagner (Medical Specialist), Stuart Hayes (Clinical Psychologist), Justin Smith (Anaesthetic registrar), David Beveridge (CNC)
Middle Row: Maree Bailey (Administration), Jane McDonough (physiotherapist), Karen Drew (physiotherapist) Stephanie Pagotto (CNS Acute Pain),
Front: Jenni Prince (Area CNC)
Absent: Cathy Mooney (Administration).
Referrals to the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic
Patients must be referred to the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic by a General Practitioner or Specialist Medical Officer. Patients with pain related to cancer, neuropathies or acute post-trauma/surgery will have priority into the Clinic. Although every effort is made to see patients as soon as possible, the waiting list into the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic for patients with chronic non-malignant pain can be up to 6 months.
To avoid time delays, it is important that the referring doctor complete a NCAHS Multidisciplinary Pain Managemnt Clinic Referral Form.
This can either be faxed to
02 6620 7222
or addressed to:
The Medical Director
Multidisciplinary Pain Clinic
Lismore Base Hospital
P.O. Box 419
Lismore NSW 2480.
Referral letters should attach results of scans, previous letters of Specialist consultation, list of patient medications and any other relevant information. Referrals with insufficient information will not be placed on the waiting list until all relevant information is received.
On acceptance of the referral letter a questionnaire will be forwarded to the patient for completion and return to the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic. Following review of the questionnaire, the patient will be notified for an appointment if appropriate.
Assessment of the patient
All patients seen in the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic will receive a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment. The assessment process includes individual consultations with a Medical Specialist, Clinical Psychologist, and Physiotherapist. Upon completeion of these assessments, a case conference is held and individual patient recommendations are formulated. These are feed back to the patient on the assessment day and a comprehensive report, outlining the assessments and recommendations, is forwarded to the referring doctor.
Because the assessment and feed back will generally be completed in one day, patients attending for assessments are asked to arrive at the clinic by 10:00 am and they should expect to be finished by about 4.00pm. Due to the long day, it is suggested that the patients' spouse or a close relative/friend accompany the patient.
Outcome of assessments
When the assessment process is completed recommendations are made to the patient. The focus of these recommendation will be on improving the patient's overall level of functioning, with an aim to reduce patient's reliance on unnecessary medications and medical aids.
Individual physiotherapy and psychological interventions may be offered. Patients may also be invited to attend our IMPACT program, a cognitive-behavioural group program that focuses on the self management of persisting pain.
Patients assessed by the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Team will be followed-up to monitor their progress, however, the patient should remain with his or her general practitioner for ongoing management and care. The Multidisciplinary Pain Management Team will liaise with the patient's doctor to achieve the best possible pain management
Contact with the Multidisciplinary Pain Management Clinic
The Multidisciplinary Pain Clinic is staffed by an Administrative Officer Monday to Friday, 8.00 am - 4 .30 pm and can be contacted on 02 6620 7250. Other health practitioners are available for consultation (e.g. Clinical Nurse Consultant, Clinical Psychologist, Physiotherapist, and Pain Specialist). For other medical specialties referrals may be made when appropriate.