t the launch of the National Pain Audit at the Science Museum in London, Paul Evans talks to people who took a leading role in its development about the need for an audit and what their findings suggest needs to be done in the future.

For the first time, the Audit will make available to patients and healthcare professionals detailed information on local pain management services. Richard Langford and Cathy Price of the British Pain Society discuss the reports findings, including the need for more pain clinics to adopt the minimum international standard for interdisciplinary services. This would enable them to take a biopsychosocial approach to pain management, which, as Richard Langford explains, can make a crucial difference to patients. Cathy Price also discusses how pain clinics could do more to help patients remain in or get back into employment.

We also hear from Christine Hughes and Jean Gaffin, who have both been involved in the campaign for better pain services, about the problem of inconsistent service provision and the need to work towards a national standard.

For more information on the National Pain Audit and to find out about your local pain services visit: www.nationalpainaudit.org

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