Written question WQ83130
- Asked by
- Mark IsherwoodConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Health and Social Services
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 9 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government supporting health boards to increase provision of ESCAPE pain courses to support people waiting longer for orthopaedic surgery for hip and knee interventions?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services
ESCAPE pain is a very effective pain management tool available to patients. It is one of a suite of tools that can be offered to patients while they are waiting for surgery.
The orthopaedic board is currently working with clinical experts to develop dynamic recommendations around interventions and services that meet the wider needs of patients. The ESCAPE pain program will be considered as part of this process.
We are also reviewing responses to our recent Arthritis and Long-term Musculoskeletal Conditions in Adults consultation, which closed on 30 July 2021. Supported self-management is a key theme in our draft guidance and ESCAPE pain is specifically mentioned as an approach health boards may wish to consider. We will work with clinicians across Wales to develop this guidance.