asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have received about an underresourcing of expertise in NHS services dedicated to the particular conditions of people living with chronic pain; when the level of such expertise was last reviewed; and what consultation there has been between the Department of Health and the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition. [HL3125]

The department has received no specific representations about an underresourcing of expertise in National Health Service chronic pain services. However, in the last three years the department has received 24 letters on pain, mainly about individual cases, that broadly relate to underresourcing in this area. Four were letters of support for a 2007 Early Day Motion, “Chronic Pain Policy Coalition Report and 5th Vital Sign Campaign”, and mentioned lack of resources.

There has been no specific review of underresourcing of expertise in NHS chronic pain services. The last review of pain services was undertaken by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group in 1998. Its conclusions were published in its report, Services for Patients with Pain, in 2000.

Officials from the department met representatives of the Chronic Pain Policy Coalition on 11 April 2008 to explore opportunities for developing awareness of chronic pain with policy-makers and commissioners. In addition, the department has consulted associated groups such as the British Pain Society about the development of both an 18-week commissioning pathway for chronic pain and a section on chronic pain for the NHS Choices website.