Pain Management Programme
A Pain Management Programme (PMP) is a clinical programme for people experiencing chronic pain, intended to guide people in developing effective self-management skills, to minimise the impact of pain in the person’s life and maintain as much quality of life as possible, despite persistent pain. This approach is recommended by NICE (as per CG193) and can be undertaken in parallel with pain treatments (e.g. medication, injections) but does not provide medical investigations, advice or intervention.
This page gives a clear and thorough explanation, based on real patient experiences of NHS Pain Management Programmes.
About the Hillingdon PMP
At Hillingdon Hospital, we run a well-established Tier 2 Specialist Pain Management Programme, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced specialists in pain physiotherapy and pain psychology.
The process starts with a one-to-one introductory session to explain the Programme’s approach and make sure people are well-prepared. If it is mutually agreed to proceed, people are invited to join the next available Programme, with a choice of Monday morning or Monday afternoon sessions. Waiting time till the next available Programme is typically 6-8 weeks, up to 12 weeks. People can choose to defer starting the Programme to a later date.
The Programme consists of seven consecutive weeks of online (zoom) seminars, of two-and-a-half hours each. The seminars are led by the clinical team, and discuss the full range of biological, social and psychological aspects of chronic pain and how to cope using effective self-management skills, such as graded exercise, relaxation/mindfulness, managing flare-ups, etc. The sessions also include supportive peer interactions. After completing the seminars, the PMP continues with monthly one-hour sessions over 12 months, to support people to put these skills into daily practice and problem-solve barriers and difficulties.
The PMP is linked to the Chronic Pain Service at Hillingdon Hospital, who provide medical assessment and intervention for chronic pain conditions. Patients can be referred to both in parallel if clinically indicated.
Referrals to the Hillingdon PMP
Clinical referrals and related queries can be emailed to: thh.hillingdonhospitalpmp@nhs.net
In line with NWL MSK referral guidance, the Hillingdon PMP is likely to be suitable for:
- people with chronic MSK pain, including Fibromyalgia
- where good quality advice and guidance has not been sufficient to improve the person’s coping
- at high risk of poor functional outcomes or high levels of distress or psychosocial vulnerability
- people who understand and accept the need to focus on self-management, and do not expect to have investigations or pain
- relief treatments as part of the PMP
- people able to following an online (Zoom) programme and interact in English
The PMP is not likely to be suitable for:
- people who had previous Tier 2 PMP with limited engagement or benefit
- people with strong expectations of pain relief, who are not ready to follow a self-management approach
- people with significant mental health or cognitive difficulties, such that the person cannot manage their behaviour in a group
- setting, or cannot understand, retain and implement advice independently
Please note that GP referrals for the Chronic Pain Service should be made via REGO. For inquiries to that clinic, please email: thh-tr.hillingdon-chronicpainteam@nhs.net