Pain Management Task Force minutes: October 2024

Attendees and apologies

Lynne Nicol (Chair), Deputy Director Scottish Government
Will Wood (Deputy Chair), Long Term Conditions Unit Head, Scottish Government
Rory Mackenzie, Associate Clinical Director, NHS CFSD
Heather Harrison, Pain Pharmacy Network Lead
Lyn Watson, Pain Nurse Network Lead
Moira Nelson, Chronic Pain Team Lead, Scottish Government
Gayle McCann, Senior Policy Manager, Scottish Government
John Anderson, Primary Care Lead, PHS
Aline Williams, Service Managers Network Leads
Nicola Rhind, National Clinical Lead for Pain Management
Nina Cockton, Psychology Network Lead
Lived experience member
Steven Martin, Realistic Medicine Team Leader
Carol Campbell, Communications Manager

Apologies
Stuart Stephen, National Implementation Lead for Pain Management, SG
Lived experience member
Anne Wallace, Professional Advisor
Tracy Robertson, AHP Network Lead
Lars Williams, Medics Network Lead

Items and actions

Welcome and apologies

Apologies noted above. 

Approval of minutes and matters arising

The previous minutes were approved and will be published on the Scottish Government website.

Implementation Progress

Education Group – evaluation of practice type skilled has now undergone evaluation. Initial results show significant increase in confidence. Advice of NHS Education for Scotland to change terminology from levels one and two to practice type informed and skilled.  Both informed and skilled modules are ready to launch by end of October. 

SIGN guidelines – funding has been given to SIGN . Guideline will be delivered in waves.

SLWGA – SLWGA are currently working on a draft lived experience engagement toolkit which will be a part of the chronic pain knowledge hub when completed. 

Workforce SLWG – first workforce SLWG meeting being held on 10 October 2024. The group will look at a workforce framework for the future, noting the model of care has changed. The work of the workforce SLWG will be informed by work of data and education SLWGs and output of updated clinical guidance. 

Data group – PHS are currently collecting second quarter of data with updated data collection form. Data will be collected using both methods for three quarters to ensure new data collection method is robust. A short report outlining the findings will be produced after this point.

Third Sector Network – Martin Dunbar has stepped down as chair of third sector network. This means there is currently no third sector representation on the Pain Management Task Force. There is currently no available funding for a replacement chair, policy team will chair meeting in interim. 

Public awareness – budget that was for public awareness work through third sector delivery partner has been lost in most recent savings exercise. Policy team are reassessing options for what can be delivered with limited to no funding. 

Standards – currently in talks with HIS to consider the financial cost associated with the creation of standards, it is likely that the cost will be prohibitive. 

Prescribing – work of the prescribing SLWG is continuing at pace. 

Research – a path forward for the creation of research priorities has been agreed using the outputs of the SIGN guidelines process and prioritisation in collaboration with the third sector and people with lived experience. 

Risk Register

There are emerging risks which have been identified and added to the risk register. 

There is some confusion if the work around a national approach to interventions is for SIGN or SHTG. A meeting is being held later this month. The task force recognised the importance to preserve interventions with high value. 

The third sector network currently has no chair and no funding is available for a replacement.

There is also a risk that there may not be sufficient funding to support the delivery of actions in the implementation plan. 

Finance and commissioning

Budget allocated for public awareness work and work with CfSD has been lost in recent savings exercise as it was not legally committed spend. A review of what delivery is possible for next year is currently being undertaken. 

Communications

A communications plan has been developed. This includes communications relating to the launch of the education work later this month and planned visits with Health Boards. The minister for public health will visit NHS Fife pain service in November. 

AOCB

Martin Dunbar has stepped down as chair of third sector network and will no longer be attending the Pain Management Task Force. The group extended their thanks for all the work Martin has done during his time in the role.

The creation of a neuromodulation register was discussed.  Registers are remit CMO directorate, policy team will discuss with colleagues.