Veterans’ Pain Management Programme

We help veterans enjoy a greater quality of life by teaching them how to manage pain. The Veterans’ Pain Management Programme (PMP) is an innovative PMP which we offer exclusively for Veterans’ of the Armed Forces.

What is the Pain Management Programme?

A PMP is a group-based programme delivered by expert clinicians including a psychologist, nurse and physiotherapist who will share up to date information about pain science and offer practical strategies to help with pain management. The aim is to introduce a range of pain management strategies that are designed to help with the day-to-day management of pain and also, to provide an environment for veterans to share their experiences and gain support from other group members.

Individuals with persistent pain can often feel isolated and unsure of how to plan for the future. Addressing these issues and many others can help reduce the negative impact that pain can have. We believe that the involvement of a support network can be helpful for the success of any treatment. Therefore, family and friends are invited to attend one of the days scheduled halfway through the programme. We do not share anything that has been discussed on the PMP with family or friends, but the aim is to help family and friends understand more about persistent pain and to give information about what we do on the programme.

The programme is a ten day virtual programme run over nine months and delivered virtually on Zoom. The virtual Pain Management Programme delivers the same content as the previously run face-to-face programme, without the need for you to travel or stay in London.

The pain management team work closely with the group and all the educational and practical sessions encourage discussion and is adaptive to the needs of each group.

Hear from John about the life-changing medical treatment you can expect:

 

Useful Information about the Pain Management Programme

If the programme is right for you, it could result in a range of improvements which may include:

  • Improvement to physical function and ability
  • Improvement to individual understanding of persistent pain conditions and beliefs, thoughts and behaviours that may be increasing and maintaining distress and difficulties
  • Reduced pain related distress
  • Reviewed medication, which may reduce debilitating side effects
  • Development of ways to manage flare up of pain
  • Start, return to or increase meaningful activities in day-to-day life
  • Increased confidence to try new activities/hobbies, and to minimise the impact of pain on lifestyle
  • Reducing the ‘bothersomeness’ of pain so one feels more in control and more able to manage feelings such as distress, anger, fear or sadness

A quick guide to applying to the Pain Management Programme

Please make sure you have read all the information on this page before applying. We have a FAQ section at the bottom of the page to hopefully cover any questions you may have. Should you have any further questions, please do reach out and we would be happy to help.

If you’re ready to apply, click the “Apply Now” button at the top of this page.

 

Why choose King Edward VII's Hospital

King Edwards VII’s Hospital has many years’ experience of working with veterans and of delivering pain management programmes. The pain management team delivered the first veteran specific pain management programme in the UK in 2015. They deliver between six and eight programmes a year with eight to ten veterans per PMP.  The data from these programmes shows significant positive outcomes for the majority of veterans who have attended a programme and the recent publication written by the pain management team demonstrated this

Jannie Van Der Merwe*, Suzanne Brook, Claire Fear, Maxwell J. Benjamin, Gerald Libby, Amanda C. de C. Williams and Andrew P. Baranowski Military veterans with and without post-traumatic stress disorder: results from a chronic pain management programme https://doi.org/10.1515/sjpain-2019-0182 Scand J Pain 2020

Comments from Veterans who have attended the PMP

‘I would recommend this to anyone who has long term pain. I never thought that I could find a non-invasive option to help me with my pain and its management until now.’

‘The programme has been hugely beneficial in helping me to understand my long term pain and identify potential triggers as well as providing positive coping mechanisms.’

‘In hindsight the PMP me realise how low I had been before. The ability to understand and specify where the pain locations is also hugely beneficial.  I feel much more confident about my ability to succeed again’

‘I feel much more confident now and able to do more, but to pace myself. I also feel more confident that my pain is not being caused my further injury, which has relieved my anxiety in relation to my pain’

‘I have found the support and communication towards individual support networks (i.e., GPs and professional medical services, family and friends) absolutely fantastic. Also the knowledge that further support is available if required’

‘Zoom was wonderful for me, I would not have been able to cope with face to face and travelling’

Read Caroline, Lucy and Steve‘s stories.

Support from the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch

We’re thrilled that we’ve received funding for the Programme from the annual Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch, the City of London’s largest annual charitable fundraising event to support veterans. It funds veterans from any of the Armed Forces of the Crown to take part in King Edward VII’s Hospital’s Pain Management Programme.

The Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch does this through the three national single-service charities, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

For 2024 the Lord Mayor’s Big Curry Lunch hope to fund 16 veterans to go on the PMP at a cost of £6,500 each. Since the start of our relationship, the LMBCL Committee has funded over 80 veterans through a PMP.

              

FAQ about King Edward VII's Hospital Pain Management Programme

Who can apply?
Who can apply for the Pain Management Programme

Anyone who has served in Her Majesty’s Armed forces (regular or reserve) for at least one day and who is now no longer an active serving member of the forces. For the purpose of the pain management programme individuals are required to have left the services for a period of three months before being considered for the programme. This is to ensure an adequate transition period has been completed.

Evidence Required
What evidence will I need to provide?

You will need to provide your proof of service which can be any of the following:

  • Red book
  • Military ID card
  • Any correspondence from the MOD with your name and address
  • Proof of military pension (if applicable)
  • Certificate of Service
  • We can accept a confirmation email from any other military charity/NHS provider who you may be involved with as long as they are happy to confirm your veteran status.
Do I need a GP referral?
Do I need a GP referral?

Yes you will need a GP referral.  Once you have completed the online application and given consent to King Edward VII’s Hospital to contact your GP, we will write to your GP and ask for the relevant information to support your application.

Is there a cost?
Free Pain Management Programme

No, the PMP is free to all Veterans.

Is the PMP virtual?
Virtual programme

Yes, the assessment and PMP are delivered via video conference; you will need access to a computer/tablet/laptop with audio and video.

We do not recommend using mobile phones to access the programme.

How long is the PMP
Length of the programme

The programme lasts 10 full days.

The first nine days are completed within a seven week period, and the final day of the programme will take place nine months later.

You will be offered the choice of three programme dates. Due to waiting list pressures you will need to confirm a date from those offered. If you are unable to attend any of the dates offered you will unfortunately need to reapply.

Is every veteran suitable for the programme?
Assessment before confirmation

Unfortunately not, once we have received your application and GP referral, you will be invited for an assessment with the team.

The assessment takes two hours and is via video conference. After the assessment, the clinical team will inform both the veteran and your GP of the outcome.

The programme may not be the best treatment option for you and not all veterans with chronic pain find it helpful. If someone is experiencing multiple physical and psychological difficulties, the assessment team might suggest preferable treatment options rather than the PMP.

Who delivers the Pain Management Programme?
King Edward VII's Hospital specilaists

The team consists of specialists in the delivery of pain management services, a consultant in pain medicine, consultant psychologist, nurse, physiotherapist, consultant psychiatrist and mental health nurse.

How many Veterans will be on each programme
How many Veterans will be on each programme

The maximum number of veterans on each programme is 8.

Is the Pain Management Programme right for me?
More details about the PMP
  • The PMP is not an individual psychotherapy or group therapy programme. It is not going to be expected that anyone shares anything that they do not feel like sharing.
  • The psychology sessions are psycho-educational; in other words, like attending a course covering topics from the brain and pain; how to manage the impact of pain on the mood and how to manage pain from a psychological perspective.
  • Many of the veterans attending the PMP suffer from PTSD. The PMP is not a PTSD group and we are very mindful not to raise any issues in relation to PTSD and the focus throughout remains pain management.
  • The PMP does not include hands on treatment and physiotherapy. Reasons for this will be talked about much more during the programme where appropriate.
  • Pain related medication use is discussed and time is offered to look at individuals’ needs. The aim of the Veteran Specific PMP is not for more pain related medications to be prescribed.

Apply Today

Since 2015, we have supported over 400 veterans living with chronic pain to improve their quality of life. Recognised by the CQC as an outstanding practice.

Apply now

Access a previous application

If you have previously started and saved a PMP application and would like to continue, please use the link below.

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