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Pain clinic

Posted By Al985

"Pain clinic"

About: Montagu Hospital / Pain Management

(as the patient),

I was referred to the pain clinic for chronic back pain, probably as a result of 49 years service as a nurse. First problem, told to wean off the pain patches before they would see me. Because of a history of Reflux I can not take NSAIDs and with issues with my liver Paracetamol is not advisable. No other pain killers suggested so I had to try wean off the pain patch. All most immediate withdrawal symptoms,  psychotic in nature. Pain patch at original dose recommenced.

Problem 2, First available appointment for September 2026. Rang to check if this was an error. No. It was almost like listening to an answer machine message you get when trying to speak to someone at a utility company.  Too may patients not enough appointments.  I politely cancelled the appointment, acknowledging the delay was no fault of the clinicians running the service.

It looks like I will have to use some of the pension earned whilst working in the NHS to see someone privately. I bet I won't have to wait 12 months. It is a disgrace.

In my view, the health service is no longer fit for purpose with god knows how many patients like me having to fund treatment themselves. Can I have a refund on my N.I. contributions?

How are patients in pain expected to cope?

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Responses

Response from Dionne Cartlidge, Communications and Engagement Assistant, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 4 weeks ago
Dionne Cartlidge
Communications and Engagement Assistant,
Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 22/10/2025 at 12:58
Published on Care Opinion at 12:58

Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re very sorry for the difficulties and delays you’ve experienced in accessing the Pain Clinic. We understand how frustrating this must be - please be assured we will share your concerns with the team to help improve patient support.

We also advise that you bring this to the attention of our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) at 01302 642764, 01302 642767, or via email at dbth.pals.dbh@nhs.net.

Kind regards,

Dionne

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Al985 (the patient)

Good afternoon Dionne and thanks for getting back. This is not a comment on STH’s but on the NHS in its current state. A clinical team can not pluck extra appointments out of thin air so there is little or no point in chasing something that doesn’t exist. On the whole I have received excellent care from both the Northern General and The Hallamshire but departments like Pain management are overworked and underfunded and as a results patients do suffer, in cute case of Pain Management the suffering is literal.

I am fairly lucky in that I can afford to see someone privately but there are many who have to get on with life no matter now severs the pain is, until the 52 week wait for an appointment comes to an end.

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