Persistent pain service - North
The Persistent Pain Service is a multidisciplinary team consisting of Pain Consultants (Anaesthetists), Physiotherapists, an Occupational Therapist and a Psychologist.
The main aim of the service is not to treat the pain directly but about teaching our patients skills and strategies which they can develop and use to manage their pain more effectively. We aim to improve our patients physical function, fitness and emotional wellbeing. Most patients are managed in this way, however there are always certain patients who benefit from a medical review and possible intervention with the Pain Consultants.
Information and about us
Where to find us
Persistent Pain Service
Level 1
North Devon District Hospital
EX31 4JB
Meet the team
- Dr Lucy Miller – Consultant Anaesthetist and Pain Team Lead
- Dr Alan Bennett – Pain Consultant & Anaesthetist
- Matthew Lund – Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist and Non-Medical Lead Pain Team
- David Sanders– Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist
- Chris Baker – Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist
- Archie Baker – Advanced Practitioner Physiotherapist
- Jessica Guy – Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist
- Dr Ruth Morgan – Clinical Psychologist
- Louise Findlay – Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Ese Adene – Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Emma Migliari – Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Julie Cotton – Secondary Care Flow Co-ordinator Pain Team
- Carol Smith – Therapy Support Worker
- Jamie Keeble – Medical Secretary
- Sharon Cloak – Medical Secretary
- Vicki Reed – Administrator
Physiotherapist – You may have already seen a physiotherapist but because our physiotherapists have specialist training in pain management a different approach will be used.
The main aim is often not to reduce or relieve pain as there is good evidence that increasing what you are able to do is an important step in empowering self-management. This is achieved through developing the skills and building the confidence required to help improve your physical ability, general level of fitness, quality of life and mental wellbeing. This may still involve hands on therapy or exercise.
Pain Consultant – Are able to perform medical assessments and request further tests if required. They can review any medication you take to help optimise its effectiveness whilst reducing any side effects. Where appropriate injection techniques or other interventions may also be considered.
Psychologist – Living with pain can often affect how we think and feel. For example not being able to do the things you enjoy in your life can lead to feeling depressed, anxious, tense or worried. This affects some people more than others and makes pain more difficult to manage which is where our psychologist can help.
Occupational Therapist – Living with pain is stressful and research has shown that the body’s pain system and stress reactions do affect each other. Our OT will help you to understand this and provide you with opportunities to learn skills and strategies to re-regulate the body’s stress reaction allowing you to manage pain in the most effective way.
Groups – we also offer evidenced based groups. These enable you to understand chronic pain, stress and the impact this has on your life helping to improve your health and sense of wellbeing.
Referral to the group will be discussed with you on an individual basis and can be made by any member of the team.
Services and treatment
Patient information leaflets
We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital.
We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.
Supporting you
Information for healthcare professionals
We have a dedicated section of the website for guidance, referral information and other useful information for Healthcare Professionals.