Chronic Pain Knowledge Hub

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is a common condition and estimates suggest it affects between one third and a half of adults in the UK, which can impact their daily activities and quality of life. In Scotland it is estimated that 5% report severe, disabling chronic pain. 

Chronic pain is pain that persists or recurs for longer than three months. It is a separate condition in its own right, and not merely an accompanying symptom of other diseases.  ​It frequently presents alongside other long-term health conditions.

Most consultations for chronic pain take place outside specialist settings: 22% of GP consultations focus on pain management; and people with chronic pain consult GPs five times more frequently than those without.

Pain is felt unequally in our society, with more women affceted, prevelance increasing with age, deprivation and certain ethinic minority groups.

The Scottish Government have developed a national Framework for chronic pain service delivery, to better meet the needs of people living with chronic pain in Scotland. An implementation plan has followed, supporting the delivery of 4 key aims:

• Improving the provision of consistent and timely information and advice, increasing healthcare professionals understanding of pain and its impact, and improving access to local support.
• Improving how people with chronic pain move through the health and care system and Improving timely access to treatments
• Improving access to a choice of effective treatments
• Improving analysis and collection of national data on chronic pain and its impact in order to inform improved understanding, planning and provision of support for people with chronic pain.