Nova Scotia Releases Action Plan for Chronic Pain

Nova Scotia is one of the first provinces to move forward with an action plan that will help individuals suffering from chronic pain.

Health Minister Chris d'Entremont has accepted 17 recommendations for improving chronic pain services. The recommendations were included in an action plan prepared by the Nova Scotia Chronic Pain Working Group. The province will invest $1 million annually to implement the plan.

"Chronic pain management services have been a challenge for most provinces, including Nova Scotia. The wait for services here has been lengthy. With this investment we are going to be able to deliver more services, in more communities, and treat more people," Mr. d'Entremont said today, Aug. 8.

The major goal of the plan is to develop a seamless continuum of services that ensure Nova Scotians suffering from chronic pain receive equal access to quality, evidence-informed care. It also aims to ensure that all health professionals receive appropriate education to help them diagnose and treat their patients.

The action plan establishes a chronic pain model for Nova Scotia that encompasses five key areas:

• self management
• primary care education
• enhanced community services
• regional secondary services
• tertiary services.

The plan will be monitored over the next two years by a provincial implementation committee and implementation co-ordinator to evaluate its impact.

The Nova Scotia Chronic Pain Working Group was made up of clinicians, pain specialists, and administrative representatives from all nine district health authorities and the IWK Health Centre, with support from Department of Health.

A copy of the complete Action Plan for the Organization and Delivery of Chronic Pain Services in Nova Scotia is on the Department of Health website at www.gov.ns.ca/health .