Government 'should help chronic pain sufferers'

The government should do more to help those with long-term pain, according to a healthcare charity.

A report from the Patients Association found that 57 per cent of people with chronic pain were ignorant of the potential side effects of taking medicines with others unaware of how to properly consume them.

Additionally, almost a third of those surveyed who experience chronic pain said they were not taking drugs prescribed by their doctor.

With eight million people in the UK thought to suffer chronic pain, there is only one pain specialist for every 32,000 sufferers, according to the Public Attitude to Pain report.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association said: "We are also calling for a greater emphasis on pain to be included in the training of healthcare professionals to ensure patients can feel confident approaching them about their pain."

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts 12 weeks or over and can be a result of conditions such as arthritis or diabetes.

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