NHS England South West have launched a new patient story - Sean’s Story as two short films.
‘Sean’s Story’ tells the story of Sean Jennings from Cornwall who had a hernia operation 25 years ago and ended up suffering chronic pain. For many years Sean was taking opioids which caused a range of side effects and did not alleviate his pain.
The film shows how long-term use of high-dose opioid prescribing had a devastating impact on his quality of life and how subsequent non-drug therapy has been life changing for Sean. Sean now manages his pain without medication.
Two separate editions of Sean’s Story have been produced:
- For patients who suffer from chronic pain and non-clinicians with an interest in this area
- For prescribers and clinicians such as GPs, non-medical prescribers, and physiotherapists
For patients:
The film aims to encourage and inspire patients with chronic pain to seek alternatives to prescription opioids to help deal with their condition. Practices are being asked to display this film on their website and waiting room screens.
A patient version is available from this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l17SjDth4pU
For prescribers:
The film is also aimed at medical professionals to encourage them to consider incorporating psychological therapies into their patient’s care when they are prescribing opioids for pain. It aims to highlight the over-medication of some patients and to consider referrals to pain management courses which are widely available.
This film can be played to colleagues at events and meetings.
A prescriber version is available from this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnJHJ9ZlJjY
The resources for prescribes highlighted by Dr Jim Huddy from NHS Kernow CCG are published here:
https://www.eclipsesolutions.org/Cornwall/info.aspx?bnfotherid=7
Both films and links to other resources are published here:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/safe-use-of-controlled-drugs/opioids/
