Pain Management

Pain Management

Pain management is important for ongoing pain control, especially if you suffer with long-term or chronic pain. Dr Patrick Clarke is our consultant in pain management. Dr Clarke feels strongly that a holistic approach to pain is the key to success. Pain is a multifactorial problem giving rise to functional difficulty. A treatment plan combining medication, physical therapy, psychological and interventional techniques will offer improvement in most cases. Dr Clarke performs many interventional pain procedures for many pain conditions. Conditions which he treats include back pain, neck pain, abdominal pain, chest pain, abdominal and pelvic pain, post hernia pain, neurological pain, headaches and neuropathic pain of various aetiology. Typical procedures would be facet joint injections, epidural injections and nerve injections.

Pain Management appointments

You will have been referred by your GP. You will be offered an appointment within two weeks of the referral being received. At your appointment you will be seen by the Consultant who will take a detailed history of your condition, so please bring any medication you are currently taking, or devises you are currently using. If you require an interpreter please inform us prior to your appointment.

Preparing for your appointment

Please remember to bring any current medication you are taking to your appointment. Please also remember to check your appointment letter for anything specific you have been asked to take with you. In addition, it would be helpful if you could provide: •Your full address and telephone number(s) •Your appointment letter •Your GP’s name and address •Money to pay for any prescriptions, or an exemption card (We do not have a pharmacy on site) •A list of questions you may want to ask your consultant

Cancelling or rearranging your appointment

If you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment please let us know as soon as possible. You can speak to us by calling 01666 501778 between 9.30 am and 1pm Monday to Friday, outside of these hours a voice message can be left and we will get back to you, alternatively you may email the Tetbury Booking Office

If you need a surgical procedure in the operating theatre

Your consultant should have talked to you about the alternatives to surgery and why they believe this is the best option for you.

Your procedure date

You will be placed on the waiting list. The Day surgery Unit Coordinator will contact you once all your investigations have been collated and a provisional date has been arranged. There should be at least a week's notice prior to admission. If there is a date or period of time that is inconvenient for you, please let us know.

What to do if your symptoms change

If your condition worsens, please see your GP or dial 111.

Pre-admission clinic

There are two types of pre-admission clinics. These are called first stage and second stage. These clinics aim to prepare you for your operation - both emotionally and physically. A first stage pre-operative assessment routinely happens on the day of your outpatient appointment, if you require a second stage pre-operative assessment an separate appointment will be made prior to your operation. All patients have a first stage pre-operative assessment, you will be given a questionnaire to complete and you may have some swabs taken. Some patients require a second stage pre-operative assessment, this appointment will either be at Tetbury Hospital or The Winfield Hospital dependant on where you will be having your surgery, wherever possible we will list you for Tetbury where you will meet members of the Day Surgery Team and have some important tests. Members of the team will also talk to you about things to plan beforehand, such as how much time off work you will need, your recovery and how to get home after your surgery.

Your surgery

We will explain to you what will happen during your operation and recovery. The surgeon will also talk through the possible complications with you again. It is important you understand the treatment you are agreeing to, so please ask questions if you are unsure.