Pain Management Unit

Monday to Friday

8.00am - 4.00pm

To be eligible, patients must:

• be adult (16 years or over)
• be semi-ambulant.  Clinic has no stretcher access
• have an ongoing persistant pain (greater than 3 to 6 months).

Clinics:

• Pain assessment/multidisciplinary assessment
• Medical/Nursing
• 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 these 2 hour sessions 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, and are available to you and (family/carer/s).

Can I choose the day and time I attend the department for my appointment?

We have doctor clinics, allied health clinics and nursing clinics at set times.  We 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) 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 send you an email or letter in the post with the details of process prior to making an appointment.  Once the requirements are fulfilled we will then contact your for your appointment date, time and location.  If an appointment cannot be made we will send you a letter confirming that you are on the outpatient waiting list for the next available appointment.  Please let us know if your address and/or phone number changes.  The waiting list is currently 4-6 weeks (subject to change, waiting times can vary throughout the year).

If you need to change or cancel your appointment or you require further information, please telephone 02 9113 2141.

Waiting times for an appointment are different for each specialty and depends on the seriousness of your medical condition.  The department is busy and there may be delays when you arrive for your appointment.  Most people are seen within 1 hour.  We ask that you arrive at your allocated appointment time to prevent having to wait longer.

Appointment Reminders

If we have your mobile phone number in our system you will receive a text message reminding you of your appointment date and time 3 days before your appointment.

• Current Medicare card or Veterans Affairs card.
• Any Health Care card, Pensioner Concession card or Commonwealth Seniors Health Care card.
• Insurer details (eg workers compensation, public liability or third party).
• Your private health fund membership card if you are currently insured with a private health fund.
• Recent X-rays or medical images and their reports, if applicable.
• Activities to keep you entertained while waiting (for example, a book, music player with headphones, crosswords).  There is also a television and magazines available in the waiting area.
• If you have any particular medical needs we suggest you come prepared (for example, bring your medicines, if you are diabetic please bring food).
• To avoid missing your appointment we suggest you collect refreshments from the cafes located in the foyer of the hospital before checking in.  If you need to leave the waiting area for any reason please inform staff at the reception desk.

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.  You can contact us by telephoning the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) 131 450.  Tell the operator what language you speak and then ask the interpreter to set up a telephone conversation between you, an interpreter and the healthcare professional you want to speak with