§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure that pain control clinics are in place in every primary care trust area; and if he will make a statement. [9116]
§ Mr. HuttonWe are committed to providing equity of access to health care and to reducing variations in the availability of National Health Service services. Patients with pain should have access to services which provide management programmes of proven effectiveness. Chronic pain services exist in 220 acute hospitals, 88 per cent. of acute hospitals in the United Kingdom. However, decisions about pain control clinics in primary care trust areas are to be made locally, based on the needs of the local population. In reviewing local provision account should be taken of the needs of both adults and children, and include patients with acute pain resulting from sudden illness or accident, as well as post-operative pain and chronic pain. A systematic review of pain relieving treatments was undertaken in 1997 through the health technology assessment programme and providers may also find this of use in planning local services.
The Clinical Standards Advisory Group report, published in April 2000, shows many NHS trusts have developed excellent services, but we recognise that in some places more needs to he done to drive up standards. 150W We expect the NHS to take full account of this report when reviewing local provision to meet the needs of communities.