Here you will find useful information to support your knowledge about persistent pain, support to optimise consultations and pain training opportunities 

Our Impact on NHS pressures

Rethinking Pain is a relatively new pain service and we’re excited to share some early results. The data below demonstrates savings to the NHS against 5 independently evaluated parameters, from a cohort of 937 people in the Rethinking Pain service. Their data was analysed for the year before coming into the Rethinking Pain service (2022/23) and then for the year while supported by the service in 2023/24.

While you can see reductions, for example in GP appointments of 6% (a significant result in itself) this outcome is more pronounced when you consider there was an increase in GP appointments in the general Bradford population of 7%. Similarly, where there was a 15% reduction in A&E presentation, the general Bradford population A&E presentation increased by 6%.

Note: The savings shown of approx. £200,000 are only across 5 measured parameters for 937 people referred from primary care – this figure does not represent the significant additional cost saving against the increase in access to NHS services for pain support in the general Bradford population.

While unscientific(!) – a projection could be made from these results that if this cohort sustained a more holistic, whole-person approach to their pain management and were followed for 5 years or longer, the cumulative cost saving for the NHS would convert into millions of pounds.