Inclusion / exclusion criteria

Three week, residential pain management programme

Inclusion Criteria

• Over 18 years of age
• Longstanding pain of at least one year’s duration
• Moderate levels of pain related physical disability, such that activity levels are low or highly variable
• Able to self-care independently in hotel accommodation for three weeks (please note that carers cannot be accommodated)
• Moderate levels of pain related distress
• Willingness to engage with a psychology-led, self-management approach, in a group setting

Exclusion Criteria

• Under 18 years of age
• Active psychotic illness
• Very high levels of distress (anxiety or depression)*
• Current misuse of alcohol or illicit drugs*
• Significant cognitive impairment
• Very high levels of disability that would prevent them from being able to self-care, independently, in a hotel for three weeks*
• Impending major surgical intervention or significant investigations
• Dependence on as-required, quick-acting step 3 opioids*
• Use of pain-relieving medication at doses causing excessive sedation or cognitive impairment*

*Patients who are referred with these difficulties can be assessed with the understanding that local services will be able to help address some of these problems prior to commencement on a group programme. SNRPMP staff will assist in developing a care plan for local teams to use.