My Local pain services
Find out more about your local pain teams on this page, these are made up of a group of professionals who will work with you to help you live well by managing the effects of ongoing pain.
The pain team
Consultants
The pain consultants are doctors who specialise in managing problem pain. An important part of their role is to make sure that any health problems that could be contributing to your pain problem have been identified. You may be offered investigations such as blood tests, X-rays, scans.
They will help you to understand your pain problem and suggest ways to manage it. These may include medications or injections. They work closely with the wider pain team and may also consider a referral to other members of the team. All of these options will be discussed with you first.
Physiotherapists
The pain physiotherapists specialise in helping people to manage their long-term pain. They offer advice about ways to improve your general health, well being, sleep and mobility. It is safe to exercise with a long-term health condition and it is possible to increase your physical abilities despite pain.
They run pain courses designed at a level to suit your needs. They also offer one-to-one guidance on how to get started with a gentle exercise programme and how to make changes to your current lifestyle. They may be involved in reviewing medications.
Psychologists
The psychologists use a range of approaches to help you cope better emotionally with ongoing pain problems. You may be referred by a doctor or physiotherapist within the pain team.
Referral does not mean that they think your symptoms are ‘made up’, ‘all in the mind’ or ‘unimportant’. Living with any long-term health problem can be very difficult and can have a big impact on your life.
These issues can be explored with you to help identify a way forward.
Nurses
The nurses will work with you to develop a personal pain management plan that helps you achieve your aims.
This includes finding out about your pain, reviewing your current strategies and giving advice on medications.
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust -North Devon
Where are we based?
Most of our clinics are based at North Devon District Hospital (NDDH).
We run some of our physiotherapy clinics at Bideford Hospital.
We run our Moving into Wellbeing Programme at various locations in the community.
Click on the boxes for details about the hospitals.
North Devon District Hospital (NDDH)
Address: Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4JB
Bideford Hospital
Address: Abbotsham Road, Bideford, Devon, EX39 3AG
Contact Details
Telephone us on: 01271 337820
Email us at: ndht.pain@nhs.net
Click here to find out more about the North Devon pain team on their website
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – East Devon
Address: Heavitree Hospital, Gladstone Rd, Exeter, EX1 2ED
Where are we based?
The pain team are based at the Royal Devon & Exeter – Heavitree Hospital and have a number of pain management options open including group work, information sessions and individual appointments. At the initial assessment (approximately 1¼ hours) we will ask you a number of questions about your pain and it’s impact on your life. At the end of this assessment we will discuss with you possible ways forward.
Some of our clinics are held at Axminster Hospital.
Contact Details
Telephone us on: 01392 411611 and ask for the pain team
Click here to find out more about the Royal Devon & Exeter Pain Service
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Torbay Hospital, Lowes Bridge, Torquay, TQ2 7AA
Team information
The Chronic Pain Team is a team of professionals including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and clinical psychologists. We work together with patients to help manage the effects of on-going pain.
Some patients will have good pain relief from medications or injections. For others these will be less helpful.
For everyone, our focus will be on tailoring the treatment to suit the individual and providing help and support to improve quality of life.
Our Physical Activity Specialists offer workshops and a range of exercise classes such as tai chi, Reactiv8e, and Aquahab. Aquahab (aquatic exercise, hydrotherapy, balneotherapy, immersion therapy) is the use of water in the treatment of different pain conditions. We can also signpost you to activities you might enjoy in your local area.
Our Nurses can offer on loan (‘try before you buy’) TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) equipment, and can introduce you to helpful books, CDs and websites.
Contact Details
Telephone us on: 01803 654590 or 01803 654251
Click here to find out more about the Torbay and South Devon Pain Service
University Hospitals Plymouth
Address: Plymouth Pain Management Centre, Rowan House, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8BQ
Click here for a map of the parking at Derriford Hospital, including for Rowan House.
Where are we based?
We are a multi-disciplinary team based at Rowans House, Derriford Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP).
We run our pain management programme, body reprogramming group, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Programme at Marjon University.
We have specialist services in spinal cord stimulation, intrathecal pumps (for cancer pain and spasticity), trigeminal neuralgia.
Contact Details
Telephone us on: 01752 437706
Click on the link for full contact details
Click here to find out more about the University Hospitals Plymouth Pain Service: