New GIRFT chronic pain workstream launched – improving care for all ages
31st Jul 2025
We’re pleased to share news of an important development in pain services across the NHS. NHS England’s Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) programme has launched a new chronic pain workstream to help ensure that more people living with chronic pain – including children and young people – receive personalised, holistic and evidence-based care. This initiative aims to support seamless transitions between services and shine a light on best practice across the system.
Working in collaboration with us at the British Pain Society, the Faculty of Pain Medicine, and wider stakeholders, this GIRFT workstream will focus on:
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Reducing variation in services through peer reviews
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Addressing inequalities and supporting personalised care
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Enhancing access to multidisciplinary pain management
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Promoting education, digital tools, and support to return to work or school
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Minimising harm from medications
Meet the GIRFT clinical team leading this work
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Dr Helen Makins (Clinical Lead): Pain medicine anaesthetist with adult and paediatric expertise and a Faculty of Pain Medicine board member
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Dr Jacqui Clinch (Clinical Advisor, CYP): Paediatric and adolescent rheumatology consultant and lead of Bath’s National Pain Service for children
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Dr Graham Syers (Clinical Advisor): GP partner and system transformation lead in Northumberland
Dr Helen Makins described the programme as a “long-awaited opportunity to shine a light on excellent practice and share it equitably across the country.” You can read more about the new workstream and their priorities in the full article on their website.
Your support can make a difference
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Follow GIRFT on their website, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter)
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Like, share, and repost their updates to help spread the word
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Tag colleagues and teams working in chronic pain – let’s make sure the right people know about this important initiative
Please share this update widely across your networks, especially with anyone involved in chronic pain care.
Want to know more or get involved?
Contact: [email protected]