The CSAG report noted:
"Specialist palliative care services are usually better organised, with clearer policies and better funding than those for chronic non-cancer pain
For instance, St. Ann's Hospice in Greater Manchester runs the following services:
- Supportive outpatient care includes a range of clinics to support patient and family/carer both physically and psychologically.
- Community services: team of nurses and doctors providing ?respite-at-home services' working in partnership with Primary Care Teams. Specialist Community Team comprises Consultant, SW and Macmillan Nurses. Access by self- referral or professional referral by GP, District Nurse, Specialist Nurse or other professional.
The Scottish partnership for Palliative Care (S P A) contributes to national policy, guidelines and standards and underpins improvements at a local level by means of professional support and networking.
The November 2001 10th. Anniversary SPA Conference, which had the overall theme
"Palliative Care for All- Responding to Need not Diagnosis", highlighted "the unmet needs of people with a range of non-malignant conditions"
Key themes included the
"common need for pain and symptom management across a range of diseases"
This demonstrates that there is a strong need for a patient-centred approach rather than a diagnosis-oriented approach.
WHAT ARE THE NEEDS OF THE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENT?
- Immediacy of response
- Information
- Continuity of care
- Competence and compassion
- Avoidance of delay and travel
- Avoidance of secondary problems
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