Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network
Current Projects
Low Back Pain
We are establishing better care pathways for people suffering low back pain to improve timeliness and appropriateness of treatment. This is being done through greater understanding of relevant clinical and systems factors, as informed by data, current evidence and stakeholder input.
Transition Pain Services
We are investigating the feasibility of implementing transition pain services (TPS), similar to models used in the UK and Canada. The TPS model aims to:
- provide short-term, multidisciplinary care to help people manage acute pain before and after surgery
- reduce the onset of chronic pain
- provide consumers with education and strategies to manage pain
- support consumers to taper opioids where appropriate, reducing associated risks and harms
Opioid Stewardship
Working with Office of the Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Governance Unit (CGU) in the Department for Health and Wellbeing and local hospital champions, we are helping hospitals meet the new Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Opioid Analgesic Stewardship in Acute Pain Clinical Care Standard. This aims to ensure opioid use is appropriately managed and reviewed to minimise any risk of harm to patients.
Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard
We are also assisting the CGU to help hospitals meet the new Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard, which describes the standard of care people with low back pain can expect to receive.
Upcoming Projects
First Nations Pain Management
Early discussions are underway with potential partners about a new project to consider ways to improve pain management for Aboriginal South Australians.
Pain Management for Older South Australians
Working with the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA), we will explore opportunities to improve opioid use in pain care for older South Australians.
Adolescent Pain Services
Supported by grant funding and working with UniSA, Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics and other partners, we will co-design a community-based, multidisciplinary model of care for adolescents with chronic pain. This will ensure adolescents have better access to care in the community and will act as a pilot that can be used nationally.
Hear from Associate Professor Anne Burke about the Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network as part of the 2022 CEIH Conversation Series
Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network Steering Committee
A/Prof Anne Burke (Chair) |
Psychologist, Co-director Psychology, CALHN |
Ms Edwina Shannon |
Occupational Therapist, Adelaide Chronic Pain Clinic |
Dr Jacinta Johnson |
Senior Pharmacist – Research, SA Pharmacy |
Dr Jackie Yeoh |
GP Liaison Officer, Intermediate Care, RACGP |
Ms Julianne Flower |
Return to Work SA |
Dr Kin Lau |
Pain Fellow, RACGP |
Ms Leah Trotta |
Clinical Advisor rep; Managing Director Ellvee Consulting |
Mr Marc Apolloni |
Clinical Coordinator, Health Pathways, Adelaide PHN |
Mr Mark Cox |
Clinical Psychologist, PainMedSA |
Mr Mark Jones |
Nurse Practitioner, Northern Pain Rehabilitation Service, NALHN |
Ms Mary Wing |
Consumer representative |
Dr Michael Findlay |
Addiction Medicine Specialist, Drug and Alcohol Services SA, SALHN |
Ms Nicki Edge |
Executive Manager — Health Innovation, Design and Integration, Country SA PHN |
Dr Nicki Ferencz |
Service Lead, Paediatric Chronic Pain Service, Senior Clinical Psychologist, WCHN; Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide |
Mr Noël Markham |
Allied Health Service Manager, Senior Physiotherapist, Pain Management Unit |
Dr Samuel Whittle |
Senior Consultant Rheumatologist, TQEH, CALHN |
Ms Susan (Sue) Edwards |
Whyalla Outreach Chronic Pain Coordinator, Whyalla Hospital/Flinders & Upper North LHN, TQEH |
Dr Tim Semple |
Anaesthetist, Acting HOU Pain Management Unit and specialist anaesthetist, CALHN |
Network Lead
Associate Professor Anne Burke
Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network Vision
A strong, connected and inclusive community of practice which promotes evidence-informed prevention, early intervention and management of pain across the life span for all South Australians.
Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network Goals
The Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network has been established to improve the provision of integrated, multidisciplinary care for people with chronic pain. It aims to:
- Foster improved recognition and understanding of chronic pain and its effective management in the community
- Foster systems development and transparent sharing of data to better support cross-sector service design, delivery and collaboration
- Support improvements in community, primary health and hospital settings to ensure timely access to evidence-informed care for all South Australians living with pain
- Build an integrated Community of Practice that optimises the experience and outcomes of chronic pain management.
Documents and Additional Information
Documents
Have a question?
Or want to know more about the Statewide Chronic Pain Clinical Network?
Please email CEIH.ChronicPain@sa.gov.au.