A new approach to treating young people who may be experiencing chronic pain, and struggling to participate in everyday activities, has been described by one parent as “life-changing”.

The pilot scheme, funded by the Barnet Hospital research team and being pioneered at Barnet Hospital, using a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and group sessions, has been warmly received by patients and their families.

In the past the most complex of these patients would need to be referred to a specialist national service. But the pilot scheme has enabled these patients, who may experience a number of issues which can reduce their ability to participate in everyday life, including going to school, socialising and even their mobility, to be treated locally.

As part of the pilot Barnet Hospital offered a new MDT clinic which included a paediatrician, a mental health expert and physiotherapist, in order to determine the best course of treatment.

Patients had an hour and a half appointment with all three professionals present, resulting in more productive conversations.

Nikki Thorpe, children’s musculoskeletal (MSK) clinical lead and project lead, said: “The patients had assessments and then discussed potential solutions, from physiotherapy to psychological support. We also offered group sessions, devised by Danielle Fineman, which we called Body and Mind Matters! (BAMM!).

“Patients could bring a parent with them to each group session. We ran five two-hour sessions which were physiotherapy led but we adopted an acceptance and commitment therapy approach (ACT).”

Patients and families were supported in many different areas including developing routines, healthy sleep patterns, relaxation and mindfulness, resilience, building support networks and working towards integrating back into school.

One parent said their child was now walking again and going to the gym with friends. They said: “The support group your team ran has been life-changing for us and the concepts and tools you gave us over the five sessions have been invaluable. As a parent I was at a loss as to how to support my child but your team have helped us so much and for that I am truly grateful.”

Debra Silver, children’s physiotherapist and clinical lead for children and young people’s physiotherapy and dietetic services, said as many as 50-75 young people a year could benefit from this tailored support at Barnet Hospital each year.

She said: “Staff thrive delivering this kind of work. We know this is a much more effective and joined up approach and are now seeking to make this, or similar, the standard pathway for these young patients going forward.”