“More awareness, support, and care provisions tailored to the needs of chronic pain sufferers can make the difference between a life of pain or a life worth living.”

Empowering Voices: Centric's Impact on Chronic Pain Awareness in Lambeth

In commemoration of Pain Awareness Month, Centric is honoured to showcase our collaboration with Lambeth Together, shedding light on the impact of conditions like Chronic Pain. Defined by pain lasting more than three months, this invisible struggle significantly affects the day-to-day lives of those suffering with the condition. More awareness, support, and care provisions tailored to the needs of chronic pain sufferers can make the difference between a life of pain or a life worth living.

Since late 2022, Centric has actively engaged with Lambeth Together's Neighbourhood and Wellbeing Delivery Alliance (NWDA) to manage a Patient Advisory Group (PAG). Comprising eight individuals living with chronic pain in Lambeth, the PAG serves as a collaborative space facilitated by Centric, amplifying patients' voices. This valuable feedback is then relayed to health and care providers, informing decisions about service development, ensuring that the system caters to their specific needs.

This is very new to the residents who have expressed their lack of support and voice in the health sector when asking for professional support. Conversely, they now feel their voices and experiences are valued, heard and making changes in a system that is set out to meet their needs. Dr. Dianne Aitken, chair of the NWDA Chronic Pain Workstream, has played a pivotal role in initiating conversations and collating feedback around this crucial issue.

Championing Change: The Impactful Study Day at King's College Hospital

Keith, the PAG Chair, and Raquel, Centric's project manager, attended a study day at King's College Hospital in July, presenting insights and recommendations from the PAG sessions. This event was aimed at people working in primary care, including general practice and community pharmacies who provide services for residents in Lambeth. Their presentation set the tone for the day, with subsequent presentations referring back to the PAG's impactful insights!

It was great to see health and care professionals, including GPs and clinicians referring back to our work to influence support for people with chronic pain. Keith, a chronic pain sufferer, stated, “The number of doctors and pharmacists who were in the packed room was phenomenal. Some really interesting research, too, on the predominance of chronic pain sufferers occupying a large part of surgery facilities. It was an honour to be part of this event.”

The transformative impact of support within the group prompted two members to seek help for additional health issues, marking a shift from isolation to feeling validated, ‘seen’ and appropriately treated by healthcare professionals. The PAG has become a space for peer support, increasing awareness, and co-designing recommendations for current service provisions.

Voices of Change: Elaine Brown's Perspective

Elaine Brown, a Centric community researcher facilitating the PAG, highlighted, “As a person who doesn't suffer from chronic pain, it can be a challenge to hear the direct experiences within the group. I am keen to be a part of the remedial/support actions and to bring the upsets, small triumphs and necessary changes needed to improve group and individual experiences more widely. I sat in one meeting and was surprised to hear clinicians speak of their own long-term pain management concerns.”

The PAG continues its work over the next six months, ensuring voices are heard and involved in improving services for chronic pain sufferers. Centric, in collaboration with Lambeth Together and other organisations, remains committed to acknowledging the pain of those suffering and unheard.

At Centric, we believe in the power of community. Join us in advocating for chronic pain awareness. Share your experiences, support others, and let's create a world where pain is acknowledged and lives are transformed for the better.