Since our article “How to avoid the ‘crash and burn’ factor following residential rehab for CRPS and other chronic pain sufferers”, we have received a number of enquiries asking where residential rehabilitation is available.
We are aware of only 4 centres, all in England. See below for the position in Scotland and Wales.
The four centres are:
1. Bath Centre for Pain Services in Bath, Somerset – NHS hospital who also accept private referrals;
2. Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London – NHS hospital;
3. The Walton Centre in Liverpool – NHS Hospital;
4. The Real Health Institute in Coventry – a private only facility.
These centres run a variety of residential programmes, some geared to specific conditions such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and others more general in nature. There are also both young person and young adult programmes.
Scotland and Wales
NHS Scotland recognises the need for a residential pain management and rehabilitation facility in Scotland, but that has yet to come to fruition. In the meantime, suitable patients are referred to the Bath Centre for Pain Services.
People suitable for residential rehabilitation who live in Wales are perhaps in the worst position. Not only is there no residential facility in Wales, but the Welsh Government are reluctant to fund any form of medical treatment or rehabilitation outside of Wales. Accordingly, the only option available is to pay privately.
How do I get a referral?
We believe that all four centres accept referrals from both GPs and Consultants. In practice, however, we have heard that people can often experience reluctance from their local GP or pain consultant in making a referral. There seems to be a common attitude that their own local service is “just as effective” as that available with the residential provider.
If a referral is made, the residential treatment centre will first ask you to attend for an assessment as to your suitability.
How might I obtain funding privately?
If you are in litigation and residential rehabilitation is supported by the medical experts in your claim, your solicitor should be able to help co-ordinate a referral for an assessment. If you are then accepted onto a programme, your solicitor should push for the cost to be met by the other party.
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