The community pain management team is part of County Durham and Darlington Community Health Services. How can we help you? Many people suffer from persistent or chronic pain, lasting for more than three to six months. It normally occurs after an injury, when the healing process has normally finished or as part of a long-term painful condition. It can have a significant impact on quality of life, limiting activities and confidence over time, especially if the level of pain increases. When medication and rest alone do not resolve the pain, there is a need to learn to manage the pain by other means. The team aim to help you to overcome the impact of chronic pain and to create a sense of control over your situation. Who are we and what do we do? We are a team comprising of a GP, nurse, physiotherapist and psychologist, all of whom have a particular interest in managing chronic pain We run weekly clinics at both Shotley Bridge Hospital and at Chester le Street Hospital for patients who are living with pain. The team provide a range of strategies to help you to manage and cope with pain by:
The community pain management service is a community based service and offers patients clinic appointments in either Shotley Bridge or Chester le Street Community Hospitals. You can access the service through your GP, district nurse, physiotherapist or through the hospital-based pain clinic professional who is looking after you, or by telephoning: 01207 584 360 Our office opening hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. (If our lines are busy and we can't answer immediately, please leave a short message, including your phone number and we will call you back by the next working day at the very latest).
'I would like to thank all the staff for my treatment and their professionalism.'
Patient, Cardiology Department, Bishop Auckland Hospital