Patient resources
Practical information to help you understand persistent pain, prepare for appointments and procedures, and take an active part in your care.
Resource library
Preparing for your first consultation
What to think about and bring, so we can focus on what matters most to you.
Open →What to bring to your appointment
Your medicine list, scan reports, previous treatments and your questions.
Open →Understanding persistent pain
Why pain can continue after tissues heal, and why that does not make it any less real.
Open →Your pain care journey
Assessment, a shared plan, treatment and review.
Open →Setting realistic treatment goals
Focusing on function and quality of life as well as pain.
In preparationUnderstanding a multidisciplinary plan
How medicines, rehabilitation and psychological care fit together.
In preparationPreparing for an image-guided procedure
Each procedure page includes a one-page flyer explaining what to do before your procedure.
Open →Procedure risks and limitations
What procedures can and cannot do, and how risks are discussed with you.
In preparationAfter your procedure
Recovery advice and when to seek help are included in each procedure flyer.
Open →Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about appointments, referrals and procedures.
In preparationThese resources focus on improving function, quality of life and self-management. Complete relief of pain is not always possible, and realistic goals are agreed with you.
Understanding persistent pain
Pain is a complex experience involving the body, nervous system and brain. It can be influenced by injury or illness, as well as sleep, stress, emotional wellbeing and previous experiences.
Persistent pain may involve ongoing changes in how the nervous system processes information, sometimes continuing after tissues have healed. This does not make the pain any less real.
Understanding the factors contributing to your pain helps us develop a treatment plan that addresses your symptoms, function and quality of life.
Your pain care journey
Your care is tailored to your needs, circumstances and goals. It usually involves the following stages:
- Comprehensive assessmentReviewing your symptoms, medical history, previous treatments and investigations, alongside an examination where appropriate. We also consider how pain affects your daily activities, sleep and wellbeing.
- Understanding your conditionDiscussing the likely contributors to your pain, whether further investigations would be helpful, and what you can realistically expect from treatment.
- Developing a shared planConsidering treatment options together. These may include medicines, physical rehabilitation, psychological strategies and interventional procedures, guided by your priorities and goals.
- Treatment and recoveryPutting your plan into action. If a procedure is appropriate, we explain its intended benefits, risks, alternatives and recovery requirements.
- Review and ongoing careAssessing your response, reviewing progress towards your goals and adjusting your treatment plan in collaboration with your GP and other treating clinicians.
Preparing for your consultation
Before your appointment, consider:
- Your symptoms: where you experience pain, when it began, and what makes it better or worse.
- Your treatment history: what you have tried, whether it helped, and any adverse effects.
- Your medicines: bring an up-to-date list, including doses, supplements and non-prescription products.
- Your investigations: bring relevant reports and details of where your scans were performed.
- Your priorities: identify the activities you would most like to return to or improve.
- Your questions: write down anything you would like to discuss.
Coming soon: questionnaires to help you prepare for procedures, report your recovery and review treatment outcomes.