Input now accepts GP referrals, tertiary referrals [referrals from other consultants] and private referrals.

To refer a patient to Input or the general Pain Management Centre please send a doctor referral letter to:

Input Pain Management
Gassiot House
St Thomas' Hospital
Westminster Bridge Road
SE1 7EH

Alternatively you may use a printed referral form (Word document, 100KB)

After receiving a referral letter we will provide a consultant appointment where the patient is assessed for suitability for Input, all other treatments will be excluded and the aims and philosophy of the pain management programmes conveyed.

Patients are then invited to attend a morning or afternoon 'Introduction to Input' session, where the Input timetable is presented, basic concepts such as how pain affects the brain, differences between acute and chronic pain, and aims of reduction in medication use are discussed. Patients are given the opportunity on this day to 'opt-in' to the programme, based on the information given we encourage patients to actively decide if the programme is right for them and to commit to attending.

This is a relatively new service at Input and feedback from patients has been very positive, they are more confident about attending and better able to participate in the programme right from the beginning.

After this opt-in process patients are bought in for pre-assessment before being offered a choice of dates for attendance. We have been very successful in reducing our waiting list and patients can now be offered an appointment within 3-4 months of referral.