Ward 18 (procedures)
Psychology
How long will my procedure take?
The length of time you will spend in our care will depend on the type of procedure you are having, but generally it will range from 30 minutes to one hour.
For some injections, it can take less than 30 minutes, however there is a waiting period during the early session (08:00 - 13:00) and the afternoon session (13:00 - 17:00), so don't expect to leave immediately after you have been seen.
Can I take my regular medications on the day of my injection?
Yes, you can still take any other medication you are currently prescribed.
One exception that may apply relates to blood thinning medication. But if you are on aspirin you can still take this (unless the consultant has told you not to).
Can I attend alone?
Yes, as long as you are well enough, but you will need someone to take you home after your procedure. Or, if you are eligible, you can arrange for patient transport (your GP receptionist can support you with this if you are unsure).
You will also need someone to stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure in case you develop any complications, such as a reaction from the injection (If you insist no one stay with you, this will be discuss discussed with the consultant).
Can I eat before my procedure?
Yes, you can have a light breakfast (tea/toast) before you come into the hospital, but please avoid heavy meals.
How long will I have to stay in hospital for after my procedure?
If everything goes well and no complications, you can leave the hospital accompanied by NOK in 30 minutes to an hour after the procedure.
I am no longer suffering from pain, do I still need to come for the procedure because I’ve received my letter?
You can still come in and the consultant can re-assess you and advise you of the new treatment plan, or we can discharge you back to your GP if you do not think you need this procedure now. Another option is we can cancel your procedure and keep you on standby on the waiting list.
If you wish, you can contact the department to postpone the procedure and arrange a follow-up appointment via appointment line.
What will happen when I see the psychologist?
If the multi-disciplinary pain team believes that psychological assessment is beneficial for you, you will be given a consultation with our psychologist during which you will discuss how your pain is affecting your life and how psychology can help you.
Why is there a psychologist involved in some of the programmes?
For some patients, having a psychologist involved in their treatment can be a cause for concern. A psychologist involved in some of the assessments and programmes (such as the Pain Management Programme) as they may worry that the psychologist may think that the pain is "all in the mind". This is not the reason that psychologists work in our service, as we know that your pain is real.
However, persistent pain can have an effect on people's thoughts and feelings, and those thoughts and feelings can have an effect on the pain.
Persistent pain can also affect relationships with people around the person with pain. Over time, many people work out their own ways of coping with these difficulties, but the specialist pain psychologist can often help to explore different ways of managing pain
What does seeing a Pain Psychologist involve?
Psychologist provide talking therapy using a range of psychological approaches. They do not prescribe medication to patients. In the first appointment you will be asked about the history of your pain, the way that it affects your life now and how you are coping with it.
You and your Psychologist can then decide whether further appointments are needed. To learn more about the role of a psychologist visit the British Psychological Society (BPS) website.
Why do you ask questions about mood during the assessment?
We understand that living with persistent pain can be difficult and can cause mood problems for some people, affecting their quality of life. With this information, we can then formulate the best treatment plan for you taking a holistic approach and considering all biological, psychological and social factors (biopsychosocial) relating to your pain.
Last reviewed 05 September 2024