Hunter Integrated Pain Service
Hunter New England LHD Adult Tier 3
Contact details
John Hunter Hospital, 2 Lookout Rd, New Lambton Heights
Locked bag 1, Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310
02 4985 5045 | Referrals 02 4922 3893
About this service
- Addiction medicine specialist
- Nurse consultant
- Pain specialist
- Physiotherapist
- Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Education and advice
- Medical reviews
- Multidisciplinary assessment
- Multidisciplinary case conferencing
- Pain program
- Treatment planning and appointments with health professionals e.g. psychologist and physiotherapist
- Myofascial trigger point injections
- Nerve blocks
- Neurolytic procedures
- Spinal blocks
- Aboriginal health
- Community and primary care
- Culturally and linguistically diverse groups
- Drug and alcohol
- Education
- Mental health
- Spinal cord injury
- Pre-consultation telephone advice for GPs
- Post consultation telephone advice for GPs
- Supported management advice for GPs
- Twice yearly GP talks
- Website support through HealthPathways or HIPS website
- Service redesign
- Benchmarking of outcomes
Pain services
| Type | Serial low intensity groups. This provides a medium intensity program if multiple groups are attended. |
|---|---|
| Content | The aim of this pre assessment group is to undertake a supported self assessment and then develop a management plan. |
| Fee | Nil for public patients |
| Hours | 5 hours of content on a single day |
| Frequency | Fortnightly |
| Group size | Up to 8 patients plus support people |
| Availability | Regular |
| Eligibility | Chronic pain |
| Follow up | 1 month telephone review is typical |
| Type | Serial low intensity groups. This provides a medium intensity program if multiple groups are attended. |
|---|---|
| Content | This group focusses on teaching mindfulness skills as an adaptive way to cope with stress. |
| Fee | Nil for public patients |
| Hours | Eight weekly sessions of two hours |
| Frequency | Groups delivered fortnightly to monthly |
| Group size | Small groups 5-8 patients (plus support people) Large group up to 40 (including patients and support groups) |
| Availability | Regular |
| Eligibility | Chronic pain |
| Follow up | 1 month telephone review is typical |
| Type | Serial low intensity groups. This provides a medium intensity program if multiple groups are attended. |
|---|---|
| Content | This program is currently under development. It is being designed to provide supported transition for a small cohort of patients back to primary care. |
| Fee | Nil for public patients |
| Hours | Approximately 10 hours of further contact will be offered. |
| Frequency | Groups delivered fortnightly to monthly |
| Group size | Small groups 5-8 patients (plus support people) |
| Availability | Regular |
| Eligibility | Chronic pain |
| Follow up | 1 month telephone review is typical |
| Type | Serial low intensity groups. This provides a medium intensity program if multiple groups are attended. |
|---|---|
| Content | An interdisciplinary team delivers the whole person program. |
| Fee | Nil for public patients |
| Hours | There are 10 hours of content over 4 weeks. |
| Frequency | Ten groups are held each year |
| Group size | Small groups 5-8 patients (plus support people) |
| Availability | Regular |
| Eligibility | Chronic pain |
| Follow up | 1 month telephone review is typical |
| Type | Serial low intensity groups. This provides a medium intensity program if multiple groups are attended. |
|---|---|
| Content | Information session delivered to the majority of patients and support people. The aim is to provide education about contemporary neuroscience and whole person management as well as orientation to the HIPS pathway. There is a DVD available for distant patients. |
| Fee | Nil for public patients |
| Hours | 90 minute sessions. Up to 26.5 hours if all groups are attended. |
| Frequency | Monthly with extra sessions if needed. |
| Group size | Typically 20-40 per group. |
| Availability | Regular |
| Eligibility | Chronic pain |
| Follow up | 1 month telephone review is typical |