Community Chronic Pain Service receives global stamp of approval

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust's community-based service, which helps people who suffer with chronic pain, has been internationally recognised for its excellence in supporting people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD).

HSDs and ESDs are connective tissue disorders that cause joint hypermobility, instability, injury, pain and fatigue. They are associated with a multitude of other medical issues including headaches, bladder, bowel and gastrointestinal problems.

The Ehlers-Danlos Society has named KCHFT's Community Chronic Pain Service among its first cohort of Centres of Excellence. It is part of a global programme to increase the availability of clinical services for those impacted by EDS and HSD. KCHFT’s Chronic Pain Service is the first NHS service in the UK to achieve the status.

Dr Johanna Theron, Strategic Clinical Lead within KCHFT’s Community Chronic Pain Service, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for the service and good news for people affected by EDS and HSD in Kent and Medway which affects an estimated 400 to 600 people in the region.

“We have a highly-skilled team who understand the complex health problems associated with the conditions, which are often misunderstood. This means we are able to pick up on symptoms more quickly than they may otherwise be.”

Dr Theron continued: “By recognising the conditions faster, we can bring them to the attention of the correct clinicians, improving quality of life for our patients and shortening the pathway to the right support. We can also play a key role in upskilling other healthcare colleagues in their understanding of the conditions too.

“Being community-based means we are constantly sharing best practice with multi-disciplinary teams, including local GPs, orthopaedics, dieticians and physiotherapy.”

Find out more about the Ehlers-Danlos Society’s Centres of Excellence programme here.