Pain management for the opioid-dependent patient

This article describes the development, introduction and implementation of'Guidelines for Pain Management in the Opioid-Dependent Patient' in Yeovil District Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset. It incorporates the relevant background experiences within the organization and establishes the rationale for the development of the guidelines. An outline of the consultation processes with the different professional groups involved is given, together with the strategy for implementation across the Trust. This project challenged old ways of working and embraced new expanding roles. Indications are that both the quality of care and the patient experience have improved as a direct result of the implementation of these guidelines.