Pain Services In Northern Ireland

EDM number 1778 in 2003-04, proposed by Iris Robinson on 20/10/2004.

That this House recognises that pain management services and use of appropriate treatments and techniques in primary and secondary care are effective in reducing the cost and burden of chronic pain; understands that most people's pain can be treated effectively given sufficient time and resources; notes that nearly one third of households in Northern Ireland have at least one adult suffering from pain; further notes that there are fewer pain consultant sessions at Northern Ireland hospitals than anywhere else in the UK; recognises that chronic pain is the main contributor to the annual cost of medically-related benefits and long-term sick leave in the Province; notes those off work due to back pain for longer than one year will probably never return to employment, with the cost of this alone being equivalent to 22 per cent. of the Province's current healthcare expenditure; understands that one in four chronic pain sufferers have been diagnosed with depression as the result of their pain, while another 25 per cent. have lost their jobs due to pain; calls for better training for all health professionals in the management of pain; and demands the same standard of care for pain sufferers in Northern Ireland compared with the rest of the United Kingdom.

This motion has been signed by a total of 16 MPs.