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New plans to tackle chronic pain New plans to tackle chronic pain
(1 day later)
The way people in Wales who suffer from long-term pain are treated is being overhauled.The way people in Wales who suffer from long-term pain are treated is being overhauled.
Health officials hope the plans will mean earlier diagnosis and better management of conditions like arthritis and back pain.Health officials hope the plans will mean earlier diagnosis and better management of conditions like arthritis and back pain.
One in four people report losing their jobs while dealing with chronic pain.One in four people report losing their jobs while dealing with chronic pain.
The Health Minister, Edwina Hart, said she wanted to see better care and treatment delivered as close to people's home as possible.The Health Minister, Edwina Hart, said she wanted to see better care and treatment delivered as close to people's home as possible.
"Chronic pain conditions such as back pain and arthritis are some of the most common and debilitating conditions affecting people in Wales, impacting on the everyday lives of individuals in devastating ways," said the minister."Chronic pain conditions such as back pain and arthritis are some of the most common and debilitating conditions affecting people in Wales, impacting on the everyday lives of individuals in devastating ways," said the minister.
Research has shown that if patients are well managed in the initial phase...then significant reductions in chronic pain can be made Ann Taylor, Welsh Pain SocietyResearch has shown that if patients are well managed in the initial phase...then significant reductions in chronic pain can be made Ann Taylor, Welsh Pain Society
"The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to ensuring that services are more patient-centred and delivered closer to people's homes wherever appropriate, enabling individuals to live their daily lives more easily.""The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to ensuring that services are more patient-centred and delivered closer to people's homes wherever appropriate, enabling individuals to live their daily lives more easily."
Health experts said one in five people suffering with chronic pain conditions reported that illnesses left them feeling like they wanted to die, and a quarter had been diagnosed with depression.Health experts said one in five people suffering with chronic pain conditions reported that illnesses left them feeling like they wanted to die, and a quarter had been diagnosed with depression.
An estimated quarter of all those claiming incapacity benefits in the UK suffer from long-term pain, mainly related to muscle and skeletal problems, including severe back pain.An estimated quarter of all those claiming incapacity benefits in the UK suffer from long-term pain, mainly related to muscle and skeletal problems, including severe back pain.
The new programme unveiled on Thursday hopes to address issues including:The new programme unveiled on Thursday hopes to address issues including:
  • earlier assessment, diagnosis and management of conditions
  • delivering patient centred services
  • support for people to cope more effectively with pain, and where appropriate, help back into work
  • earlier assessment, diagnosis and management of conditions
  • delivering patient centred services
  • support for people to cope more effectively with pain, and where appropriate, help back into work
Ann Taylor, of the Welsh Pain Society, added: "Managing these conditions calls for the input of a range of professionals as well as the support of the voluntary sector and other public services.Ann Taylor, of the Welsh Pain Society, added: "Managing these conditions calls for the input of a range of professionals as well as the support of the voluntary sector and other public services.
"Research has shown that if patients are well managed in the initial phase of their pain with appropriate care, then significant reductions in chronic pain can be made, helping to alleviate individual suffering and the financial burden so often associated with chronic pain.""Research has shown that if patients are well managed in the initial phase of their pain with appropriate care, then significant reductions in chronic pain can be made, helping to alleviate individual suffering and the financial burden so often associated with chronic pain."