The Bath Centre for Pain Services (BCPS) is the national centre of excellence for the treatment and rehabilitation of people suffering chronic pain.
The BCPS is an NHS hospital, forming part of the Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. It occupies its own site in the centre of Bath in the same building as its predecessor, the Royal Mineral Water Hospital.
The BCPS receive referrals nationally onto its range of specialist inpatient and outpatient programmes. For example, the specialist Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) service, under the clinical lead of the renowned Professor Candy McCabe, runs a two week residential rehabilitation programme and there are also programmes tailored for young adults and adolescents, as well as a more general pain management and rehabilitation programme.
Although not curative, the aim of their various programmes is to improve function and mood and therefore quality of life. Many people attending a programme at the BCPS have tried a variety of other treatment, both conservative and more invasive.
BLB Partner, Richard Lowes, says “we are very fortunate indeed to have the BCPS on our doorstep here in Bath, particularly as they also accept private patients. Although most of our clients suffering chronic pain are not local to Bath, BLB Solicitors have successfully arranged private funding for many of them to attend residential treatment programmes here, often resulting in a considerable improvement in their overall condition.”
Having recently spoken at the Bath Pain Forum with his colleague, Bruce Dyer, Richard has been invited by the BCPS to speak at their study day in October.
A great example of what can be achieved at the BCPS can be seen in the case study of Liam.