A PAIN management service at a Basingstoke practice is set to close to NHS patients in 2023, affecting a number of patients who utilise the service.

Hampshire Clinic in Old Basing has a private and NHS pain management clinic at the practice with five consultants, who provide specialist treatment for a range of chronic pain-related conditions, such as neck, back or joint pain.

READ MORE: Drink driver disqualified after being over double the limit

Medication or injection therapies are used to manage or relieve pain. Chronic pain can have a significant effect on the quality and enjoyment of life. 

Despite this, the service is due to close to NHS patients in December, which will impact two consultants practising at the clinic and their patients.

Hampshire Clinic's management team are working with these consultants directly.

It will continue to offer private services. 

Pain management services, like the one operated by the clinic, are available locally and alternative arrangements are being sorted by the NHS at other locations.

SEE ALSO: Residents living in high rise told cladding work will be delayed

A spokesperson for Hampshire Clinic said: “Hampshire Clinic is proud of its track record of supporting NHS patients as part of the local healthcare ecosystem. 

"The decision to close the pain management service at the hospital was taken following a comprehensive review of the treatment pathways offered at the hospital [Hampshire Clinic]. Patients will be able to access the service until December and NHS patients will continue to be able to access a range of services at the hospital [Hampshire Clinic].”

Karen Callaghan, practice manager for the pain team, said: "I want to reassure people that our private services will continue unaffected and we will continue to offer them a comprehensive and seamless pain management service." 

Previously, a hydrotherapy pool at the clinic that provides support to patients requiring physiotherapy rehabilitation was permanently closed, leaving several long-term users with no alternatives.

Circle Health Group, which runs the Hampshire Clinic, was fined £160,000 last month for breaching health and safety regulations after three people were injured during a chlorine leak.

The firm pleaded guilty to two charges of failing to discharge general health, safety and welfare duty in relation to an incident on March 11, 2021, when a chemical reaction caused the toxic gas to be produced at the hospital’s hydrotherapy pool.