IT is deeply disappointing to read the well-researched report by Dorothy-Grace Elder (“Revealed: Hidden scandal of chronic pain wait times”, The Herald March 6, and Letters, March 7) revealing the worsening situation for patients waiting for chronic pain management.
As a retired general practitioner the ability to refer to the Centre for Integrative Care for chronic pain management transformed the life of two of my patients. Both had intractable symptoms with failure from many disciplines of medicine, despite multiple investigations, to allow them to have a good quality of life. After referral the pain management not only allowed them relative normality in daily living but also reduced the many calls to primary and secondary care services when pain overwhelmed them.
Surely it is better to try and help such patients as speedily as possible, thus allowing improved quality of life with resulting reduction of the demand for urgent appointments which is currently such a problem for hospitals and general practice.
Patrick M Trust,
Beaumaris, Church Avenue, Cardross.
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