Final National Pain Audit report findings: safety protocols need to be reviewed in many services
A British Pain Society and Dr Foster Intelligence joint Audit has found that safety protocols need to be reviewed in many specialist pain services to ensure that mental health risk assessment and full case reviews of missed diagnoses are routinely performed. The report recommended that specialist training is given to staff so they can better identify and manage those at risk.
The first ever National Pain Audit, carried out by the British Pain Society and Dr Foster Intelligence, was used to measure the availability and activity of NHS specialist centres for the diagnosis and management of complex chronic pain disorders in England and Wales. This four year study was commissioned by the Health Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) in September 2009 in response to the Chief Medical Officer’s report in 2008 “Pain: Breaking through the barrier” which expressed concern that the needs of people with chronic pain were being poorly served by the NHS and wider society.
See the full press release here.
