"Management of Pain"

I need treatment for chronic pain and am being seen by the Pain Management team at the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, Lincolnshire.

 

The staff are fabulous. 

It is hard for anyone who does not experience severe pain day in and day out to understand what a chronic pain sufferer experiences. One does not just become focused on how much pain, how long the pain is going on, whether there will be slight reduction in pain, but also makes many feel very vulnerable, inept, very alone, cranky or even short tempered. It is intensely hard to open up or trust anyone, particularly medical staff, who have not given you that miracle cure. 

This team have a deep understanding of this as, they clearly have spent many years together. They also know very many of the patients really well. They give respect, gentleness and every person is an individual. Their professional conduct and knowledge is immense and I watch how often they get their patients to open up and share their daily pain battle. Because of this the patients trust them and accept their treatment, allowing it to succeed as much as possible. Over and over again they show how much they really understand chronic pain. 

Personally, I know I go a little manic and hyper due to anxiety over how successful my treatment will be this time. The staff understand what I am feeling and are always respectful and keep me distracted. Dr. Malek is extremely skilful and manages an intensely high workload very well. He administers my treatment very efficiently, supported by his nurses. 

I have a lot of time and respect for the pain management team. They do a huge amount of work daily, but never stop smiling or drop their high standards. They work in a tough environment where the Pilgrim Hospital is known to be a failing hospital, with the community fighting hard to raise standards and keep departments open.  They are truly special.