|
November 9, 2010
NANAIMO – Patients living with chronic pain are reaping the benefits of more than 500 additional pain procedures at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). The increase in pain procedures is a part of the Province’s $23.4 million patient focused funding initiative announced earlier this fall.
“These patients are dealing with pain that can be debilitating and severely impact their quality of life,” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon. “With patient focused funding, we’re able to ensure more procedures can be done at the pain clinic in Nanaimo, getting these patients relief close to home.”
This week is National Pain Awareness Week, an opportunity to raise awareness and draw attention to the burden of chronic pain that affects many Canadians. In B.C. alone, over one million adults and 54,000 children suffer from chronic pain.
“The new funding will make a huge difference to patients who live with chronic pain,” said Sharon Kofoed, a former patient at the NRGH pain clinic. “They can be treated faster and they can get back to higher functioning with less pain.”
Physician capacity has doubled at the NRGH pain clinic and nursing and other supports have increased, a result of the new funding. Approximately 30 new pain procedures take place each week.
”Improved, timely access to interventional therapy will go a long way to getting patients back to better functioning,” said Dr. Alan Berkman, Co-Medial Director, VIHA Regional Pain Program, Nanaimo site. “This is a good step forward in improving the lives of chronic pain sufferers.”
The NRGH clinic has approximately 1,200 active patients for chronic pain conditions including chronic sciatica, lumbar disc protrusion, complex regional pain syndrome and spinal stenosis.
For more information on chronic pain visit:
-30-
Media contact:
Valerie Wilson
VIHA Communications
250-739-6303 |
|