North Wales - Ysbyty Gwynedd Bangor
Background information
Staffing for acute pain
2 acute pain nurses (f/t & p/t)
2 consultants (2 sessions each week)
Staffing for chronic pain
3 consultants (10 sessions each week)
2 chronic pain specialist nurses
2 qualified psychologists
1 physiotherapist
There are four to five consultant led pain clinics each week and three to four pain block sessions. All the usual standard pain blocks such as facet joint injection, radiofrequency, epidural and guanethidine IVRA etc. are done.
There are two acute pain ward rounds each week.
Higher training
To consolidate on pain training after the basic training, the SpR's have the following programme (as well as what is entailed in the basic training) :-
Attendance at other specialty clinics:-
Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal services
North West Wales NHS trust has developed a triage system across the musculoskeletal services called 'Targeted Early Access Musculoskeletal Service' (TEAMS). This involves orthopaedics, rheumatology and the pain management service. Chronic pain specialists work alongside colleagues in other musculoskeletal specialties. This gives a unique opportunity of training access across the whole spectrum of musculoskeletal medicine
Neurology clinics
There are neurology clinics with the 2 visiting specialists from Liverpool
Palliative care ward rounds.
Clinical contact with palliative care is when patients require intrathecal techniques. There are good links with the palliative care department and trainees can join the consultant on the ward rounds (twice weekly)
Advanced training
Having attained the clinical experience in the above, for trainees with an intention of going on to a career in pain management, there is then access to attending, with patients, a whole pain management programme. The pain management team run this programme. It is an 8 week course with a single day of attendance each week, enabling the patients to put into practice their new pain management skills. There are other clinics led by members of the multidisciplinary team including acupuncture clinic.
Other hospitals
There are good links with Walton and Wythenshawe.
Trainees are also encouraged to present in meetings and participate in audit.
