Royal North Shore Hospital

Northern Sydney LHD Adult Tier 3

Street addressPacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065

Phone

Fax

Team

Services offered

Education and training
Medical reviews
Multidisciplinary/individual assessment
Multidisciplinary pain conference
Pain programs
Treatment planning and appointments with health professionals e.g. pain medicine specialists, psychologist and physiotherapist

Procedures offered

Special interest areas

Adult and elderly patients
Education and training for healthcare providers and pain sufferers
Intrathecal drug delivery systems, spinal cord stimulators, dorsal root ganglion stimulators
Medication rationalisation and withdrawal
Orofacial pain
Prevention of secondary disability
Return to work
Self management
Spinal cord injury and nerve injury

Support for GPs

Research interests

Basic science on pain mechanisms and development of new treatments
Contribution of psychological and social factors to pain, its treatment, and its impact on lifestyle
Contributors to patient outcomes from treatment
Development and evaluation of pain assessment and management measures
Development of psychological and social treatments for pain
Disability prevention in injured workers
Drug trials
Outcome evaluation (of all treatments)
Pain education and training in pain management skills
Psycho-physiological studies

Type	High intensity
Content	Cognitive behaviour therapy based multidisciplinary program conducted in an interdisciplinary manner Communication skills Focus on self-reliance in activities of daily living Home pain management planning with family involvement Pain education Pain medication rationalised and ceased Return to work planning with rehabilitation involvement Self management skills training Sleep and stress management Supervised exercise and activity upgrading
Fee	Nil for public patients and upon application for compensable patients
Hours	120 hours
Frequency	15 x 8 hour days over 3 weeks
Group size	10 people
Availability	12 programs per year
Eligibility	Persistent pain causing significant interference in lifestyle, often with depressed mood and dependence on unhelpful medication. Assessment by the team is required to ensure suitability. Patients must have been thoroughly prepared via assessment process and pre admission meetings with treating team.
Follow up	1 and 6 months (group) Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration measures and by appointment on an individual basis (as needed)

Type	Modified high intensity
Content	Same as Adapt, but less comprehensive. Intervene is focused on application of the self management strategies at work or home during the program. Accordingly, the first 5 days (week 1) is at the hospital as a day patient with the Adapt participants, then 2 days at the hospital in each of weeks 2 and 3.
Fee	Nil for public patients and upon application for compensable patients
Hours	72 hours
Frequency	9 x 8 hours over 3 weeks
Group size	Maximum of 2 people in addition to Adapt (i.e. 8 Adapt + 2 Intervene)
Availability	12 programs per year
Eligibility	Persistent pain causing moderate interference in lifestyle, with low distress and low reliance on medication. Must follow following assessment by the team to ensure suitability Suitable for those with a job or family or study commitments.
Follow up	1 and 6 months (group) Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration and by appointment on individual basis

Type	High intensity
Content	Cognitive behaviour therapy based multidisciplinary program conducted in an interdisciplinary manner Education regarding pain and medication Falls prevention Focus on self-reliance in activities of daily living Self management skills training Sleep and stress management Home pain management planning with family involvement Supervised exercise and activity upgrading
Fee	Nil for public patients and upon application for compensable patients
Hours	120 hours
24Frequency	3 hours on 2 days per week for 4 weeks
Group size	10 people
Availability	2-3 programs per year
Eligibility	Persistent pain in people aged over 65 years with pain causing interference in lifestyle or fear of loss of independence. Suitability is assessed by the team.
Follow up	1 and 6 months (group) Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration measures and by appointment on an individual basis

Type	Low intensity
Content	Cognitive behaviour therapy based multidisciplinary program conducted in an interdisciplinary manner Education regarding pain and self-management Goal setting Home pain management planning Manual-based program Self-management skills training Stress management Supervised exercise and activity upgrading
Fee	Nil for public patients and upon application for compensable patients
Hours	10 hours (5 x 2 hour sessions)
Frequency	1 day per week for 5 weeks (3-5 pm)
Group size	10 people
Availability	Most weeks through year with minimal wait time Once confirmed as suitable, patients attend up to 5 sessions and start as soon as vacancy available
Eligibility	Persistent back and/or neck pain, causing interference in lifestyle, low level distress, or fear-avoidance behaviour. Must be referred via physiotherapy triage assessment at hospital outpatient clinic. Suitability is confirmed by the Back Pain Education Group team score on Örebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire - Short Form (screening scale) >49/100. Not suitable for spinal surgery.
Follow up	1 and 3 months (by mail or phone) Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration measures; offer individual follow-up if required

Type	Low intensity
Content	Cognitive behaviour therapy Problem specific intervention (e.g. overdoing activities, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor sleep, adjustment issues)
Fee	Nil for public patients and upon application for compensable patients
Hours	1-10 hours
Frequency	30-60 minute sessions, weekly or second weekly for 1-10 sessions
Group size	Individual only
Availability	Throughout the year
Eligibility	Suitability is assessed by the multidisciplinary team
Follow up	By appointment on individual basis Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration measures

Adapt program