Far North MSP demands Scottish Government action on pain management services in Golspie

Far North MSP David Green has raised patient concerns with the Scottish Government over the loss of chronic pain management services in the Highlands, including the withdrawal of pain-relieving injections and other clinical interventions previously available to patients.

In Holyrood, he challenged Public Health Minister and Highland MSP Maree Todd on Scottish Government plans for the service.

The chronic pain management centre in Golspie was once seen as the model to follow in Scotland but it is currently not referring new patients for clinical procedures.

The Scottish Health Technologies Board recommends that specialist injections should be part of all health board’s pain management services.

Speaking in the chamber on Wednesday [28 October], Mr Green said: “Kirstin Laing and her husband are both long-time patients at the centre, with her husband relying on infusions to be able to walk.

“Kirstin fears that plans to review services, coupled with its current policy of not offering injections to new chronic pain patients could leave many people across the Highlands living with preventable pain.

“The Scottish Health Technologies Group recommends that all health boards provide specialist injections as part of their chronic pain services. Does the minister agree?”

Ms Todd said: “I expect all NHS boards to provide a service to enable people with chronic pain to access appropriate support for their condition.

“I have been given firm assurances that NHS Highland continues to provide chronic pain services across the whole NHS Highland area.”

She added: “I would be more than happy if the member would write with me with the details he raised with me today to pick up with NHS Highland.”

Following the exchange, David Green MSP said: “I welcome the Health Minister’s acknowledgement that patients should be able to access specialist injections no matter where they live, and I look forward to working with her to bring this closer to reality. It is important that local patients are given proper weighting in any review of the service, not least their calls to ensure they can access the care they need close to home.”