Chamber and committees

The National Chronic Pain Steering Group continues to work closely with NHS Boards to seek updates on the progress in implementing the Scottish Service Model for Chronic Pain. NHS Boards that have or are establishing service improvement groups/Managed Clinical Networks for Chronic Pain will report regularly to the National Steering Group on their progress.

However, it is also for NHS Boards to ensure that the work of these groups/networks do deliver improvements and that their work feeds into local reporting and governance arrangements.

<>Information on how many pain consultants there are in multidisciplinary chronic pain teams in each NHS board area for (a) adult and (b) children services, is not held centrally. However, I would like to refer the member to the Benchmarking Report published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland on 26 October2012. http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/programmes/long_term_conditions/chronic_pain/chronic_pain_update_report.aspx.

The audit has identified the current resources available in relation to NHS Board populations and provides up to date information on the provision of pain management services in each NHS Board area. This information will assist NHS Boards to identify any gaps and variation in local services and provides recommendations to inform planning and assist in the implementation of the Scottish Service Model for Chronic Pain.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05614 on 9 March 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-09292 on 11 September 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The recently published Benchmarking report on the provision of chronic pain services shows that 75% of the adult population now have access to pain management programmes. There are a small number of boards which do not currently have PMP’s in place.

The National Chronic Pain Steering Group is working with Boards to assist in the planning and development of services and encouraging Boards to work with stakeholders to provide services that meet the needs of their resident populations. This includes consideration of services provided by voluntary organisations, such as the self management courses run by the Pain Association Scotland.

Information on how many nurses there are in multidisciplinary chronic pain teams in each NHS board area for (a) adult and (b) children services, is not held centrally. However, information on the number of Clinical Nurse Specialists with a specialty of pain can be found at the following link:

http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2011-11-29/Clinical_Nurse_Specialist_S2011.xls?62532551

It should be noted that the table contains data at the NHS board level and not at the (a) adult and (b) children services level.

I would also like to refer the member to the Benchmarking Report published by Healthcare Improvement Scotland on 26 October 2012. http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/programmes/long_term_conditions/chronic_pain/chronic_pain_update_report.aspx

The audit has identified the current resources available in relation to NHS Board populations and provides up to date information on the provision of pain management services in each NHS Board area. This information will assist NHS Boards to identify any gaps and variation in local services and provides recommendations to inform planning and assist in the implementation of the Scottish Service Model for Chronic Pain.

Our Lead Clinician, on Chronic Pain and the National Chronic Pain Steering Group have been working with NHS National Services Division (NSD) to review the current provision of specialist residential pain management services. Options for the future provision of these services, including the potential for a service based in Scotland, will be considered at a meeting scheduled with NSD in early December.

The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010, which established the Care Inspectorate, came into force on 1 April 2011.

The Care Inspectorate has expedited powers, to apply to the sheriff, under s65 of the 2010 Act for cancellation of the registration of a care service (including care homes) on the basis that unless the order is made “there will be a serious risk to the life, health or wellbeing of persons”. An order to cancel a service would have the effect of closing the service.

The sheriff has the power to make an interim order, which may include an order suspending registration pending a full hearing. If necessary, the Care Inspectorate can also impose an emergency condition of registration, which becomes effective immediately and remains in place until removed or successfully challenged on appeal.

The Care Inspectorate has made one application to the sheriff under section 65. In this case interim suspension was sought by the Care Inspectorate but this was refused. A date for a full hearing was fixed by the court, however by the time the case called, the action was no longer necessary as the service had improved and the action was therefore dismissed.

Waiting time information is not available centrally for access to chronic pain clinics, as data is collected at specialty level.

The 18 weeks referral to treatment time target was due for delivery from
31 December 2011 and has a compliance rate of 90%. Since 31 December 2011 NHSScotland has delivered this target.

There are no plans to introduce a HEAT target in relation to chronic pain services this year. The Scottish Government reviews HEAT targets on an annual basis with decisions on new targets based on evidence and impact.

The Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) are currently developing a guideline for the management of chronic pain, with a public consultation event scheduled in December 2012. Following publication of the SIGN guideline consideration can be given as to whether HEAT can support improvement / delivery.