The Scottish Government have opened a consultation looking at their Quality Prescribing for Chronic Pain guide for improvement 2026-2029.
Chronic pain, defined as persistent pain lasting beyond three months, can significantly impact quality of life, affecting physical and mental wellbeing. In Scotland, the Scottish Health Survey 2022 indicated that approximately 38% of adults live with chronic pain. The prevalence of chronic pain is significantly higher in areas of socioeconomic deprivation.
One of the areas the Scottish Government would like views on is non-pharmacological (treatments and therapies that do not involve the use of medications or drugs) approaches to chronic pain, including social prescribing.
The Guidance is focused on meeting the following aims:
- Improved patient outcomes
- Supporting the use of non-pharmacological approaches
- Using medicines where appropriate, minimising risks of harm
- Improving understanding of and communication around chronic pain
Read the consultation paper. The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.
Click here to take part in the consultation.
