Although I initially trained as an Anesthetist like many pain specialists I now work full-time in the field of chronic pain. Prior to setting up The RealHealth Institute I was a Consultant Pain Specialist at St Thomas Hospital, a post to which I was appointed in 1986. Prior to this I had received training in the USA when I worked a Fellow in Pain Management for 1 year.

In 1989 I set up the INPUT cognitive behavioural pain management unit and was Medical Director of this programme until 2004. This programme has been one of the pioneering units in the country offering cognitive behavioural treatment of chronic intractable pain. I subsequently set up a similar unit in Wales where I still visit monthly. I was actively involved in the research programme at St Thomas Hospital where much seminal work was undertaken examining the way pain affect individuals and how they can be helped by holistic cognitive behavioural approaches.

I am a member of the Pain Society of Great Britain and the International Association of the Study of Pain. I sit on the committee of the Society for Back Pain Research and have lectured and talked in Europe and America on pain and its management. I have published numerous scientific papers on various aspects of pain, and contributed chapters to dozens of books and journals. My research interests include examination of the ways that pain affects people and the best ways of treating this from a holistic perspective. I have been involved in numerous sci-art collaborations looking at pain from both the medical and artistic perspective.

 

I originally trained as a teacher and Polarity Therapist (Complementary Medicine) and ran a private practice in Edinburgh for seven years. Prior to joining the RealHealth Institute I was a Senior Occupational Therapist at INPUT Pain Management Unit, St Thomas Hospital London from 1999 to 2004. During that time I published several papers on Occupational Therapy intervention in chronic pain management and lectured both nationally and internationally. This has particularly contributed to German Occupational Therapists developing their role in this specialist area. I also presented at the IASP World Congress on Pain in 2001 and 2005. In the UK, I helped develop a teaching package for Occupational Therapists and represent the National Occupational Therapy Pain Association (NOTPA) at IASP (International Association for the Study on Pain). Further memberships with Occupational Therapists in Work Practice and Productivity (OTWPP) and the British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA) allow me to pursue a wide range of health care interests. I continue to write for Pain and Rehabilitation related publications and enjoy working with people to improve their quality of life. My particular passion lies with developing the Return to Work component of the RealHealth Pain Management Programmes.

 

I trained in New Zealand as a RGN, graduating with a BHSc in Nursing in 1999.

Returning to the UK In 2000, having general medical and surgical nursing experience, I commenced my career in recovery nursing in 2001. I was based at Hillingdon Hospital from 2001 until 2008. Having worked for five years primarily in the acute pain setting, I then ventured into working with clients whom have persistent pain conditions. From 2006 until 2007 I worked with the Chronic Pain Team at Hillingdon Hospital gaining further experience in this field.

I am registered with the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council as well as the Royal College of Nursing. I am also a member of The International Association for the Study of Pain, The British Pain Society and the London Nurses Pain Forum.

Having joined The RealHealth Institute in 2008, my main components on the programme is to review client’s medications, teach relaxation techniques as well as looking at each individuals sleeping patterns and general diet/lifestyle habits. My aim and passion is to provide care and support in a holistic manner helping clients gain as much as they can out of their lives for themselves.

 

I joined The RealHealth Institute in 2007 whilst completing the final year of my Law Degree (LLB) and am currently studying for my Bar exams. I have opted to do this in the evenings to enable me to continue working within The RealHealth Institute.

At The RealHealth Institute my role as a General Office Manager comprises of varying responsibilities primarily; office management, recruitment and client liaison. I am also first point of contact with referrers and medical insurers regarding funding, referral pathways and treatment options. I ensure the day to day smooth running of the business including supervision of the administrative side of the Pain Management Programmes for clients and the clinicians. In addition, I also act as a medicolegal assistant to Dr. Charles Pither, Medical Director.

I thoroughly enjoy working as part of the team at The RealHealth Institute. They are a group of highly experienced clinicians with client care and focus as their highest priority.

"I realised that having pain does not mean one has to give up. It should never prevent one from achieving things."

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