Pain Management Unit
We provide comprehensive, evidence-based strategies for the management of all types of chronic (persistent) pain. This includes assessments and individual plans using a multidisciplinary approach by medical specialists, registrars, nurses, psychologists and physiotherapists. Our services include:
- Intensive pain management programs
- Moderate intensity management programs
- Weekly walking group, exercise, mindfulness classes, and hydrotherapy classes
Different treatments are available. Interventions include medication assessment and adjustment, education and counselling, physiotherapy, psychological management.
Our Clinical team includes:
Nursing staff who can assess your pain, give pain education, answer questions regarding treatments or programs offered in the Pain Management Unit. Assist in Pain Management programs.
Doctors who specialise in pain medicine, rehabilitation medicine, and anaesthetics will assess, treat and help you manage your pain.
Physiotherapists who assess how pain is affecting your body and work with you to understand your pain and what movements you can do or modify to help you get back to doing daily activities that are important to you.
Psychologists who look at how you are coping with your pain and its impact on your life. Looking at mood, sleep, work, social supports and stress. Teach you different strategies on how to effectively manage pain, leading to a better quality of life.
To be eligible, patients must:
- be adult (16 years or over)
- be semi-ambulant. Clinic has no stretcher access
- have an ongoing persistent pain (greater than 3 to 6 months)
- reside in the St George and Sutherland areas
Clinics:
- Pain assessment/multidisciplinary assessment
- Medical
- Physiotherapy
- Psychology
- Self-management techniques
- Group programs
Multidisciplinary Assessment Clinics: You are seen initially by a pain specialist and if appropriate then by a pain physiotherapist and pain clinical psychologist. This ensures all aspects of their pain & circumstances are examined to inform treatment and recommendations.
Medical Management Clinics: Pain Management, Medication management, medical interventions, procedures and follow up are provided by our highly experienced pain specialists and a Pain Registrar.
Individual Psychological or Physiotherapy Assessment and Treatment: One-on-one sessions for those who require individual assistance.
Chronic Pain Information Sessions: The aim of this 1 & 1/2 hour session is to give you a basic understanding of chronic pain and some strategies and hints to manage chronic pain. The sessions are held in the Pain Management Unit.
Can I choose the day and time I attend the department for my appointment?
Our clinics run on set days and times. We will try to find an appointment time that allows you to attend.
Will I always see the same doctor at each visit?
The St George Hospital is a teaching hospital so you will be seen by a specialist doctor or a specialist doctor in training. You will stay under the care of the specialist doctor but you may see the doctor in training for your appointments.
Who can I bring with me to my appointment?
There is limited seating so please bring along only one support person (for example, a family member, friend or carer) with you.
A referral is required from your GP or specialist doctor. The referral can be sent via email (SESLHD-STGPain@health.nsw.gov.au) or Fax 02 9113 3938 to the clinic and needs to include:
- Patient details, including contact details/DOB/email address
- Reason for referral
- Patient history
- Current medication
- Any previous treatments
We will then contact you to send you an email or letter in the post with the details of our process prior to making an appointment.
Once the requirements are fulfilled we will then contact you for your appointment
Please let us know if your address and/or phone number changes.
The waiting list is currently 4 - 6 months (subject to change, waiting times can vary throughout the year).
If you need to change or cancel your appointment please telephone 02 9113 2141.
Appointment Reminders
If you have a mobile phone number you will receive a text message reminding you of your appointment date and time.
- Current Medicare card or Veterans Affairs card.
- Insurer details (eg workers compensation, public liability or third party) if applicable.
- Recent X-rays or medical images and their reports related to your current condition.
We have many requests for letters to support National Disability Scheme (NDIS) or Disability Support Pension (DSP) applications.
We will write comprehensive letters to your referring doctor. These letters can be used for your NDIS or DSP applications.
We will not write letters to NDIS or Centrelink.
ACI Pain Website : This website contains information and downloads for people in pain including pain management strategies and videos, information, handy hints and useful links. There is also a pain series for young people.
We are a teaching hospital and you may be asked to be involved in research or for a student to be present at your appointment. You have a right to say no. If you do so, this will not impact in any way on the services we will provide.
Please let us know if you need an interpreter which we will organise for your appointment. You can contact us by telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) 131 450.