Pain
The Scottish Pain Research Community (SPaRC) was established in 2009 with support from the Scottish Government to develop expertise in pain research for patient benefit.
A strong network of pain researchers, clinicians, third-sector organisations, patient groups and other key stakeholders across Scotland support internationally competitive pain research. This covers the full scientific range, from laboratory to the community, and encompasses important clinical areas such as addiction, cancer, primary care, neuropathic pain and mental health. It ensures both clinical practice in managing chronic pain is informed by current research and that current research in chronic pain is relevant to clinical practice.
SPaRC has recently transitioned into NRS Pain and brings together around 200 researchers in multiple disciplines and areas, to promote collaboration and to share and disseminate research activity and findings and helps:
- Develop a formal network of researchers across Scotland to provide an effective route for increasing multicentre studies, working with NHS Research Scotland, which will include the assessment of novel interventions for chronic pain
- Strengthen research links within Scotland to foster academic collaboration and to address research gaps
- Deliver Annual Scientific Meetings (ASMs) to share the latest Scottish pain research and network
Key Contacts
- Pain Research Network Lead/SPaRC Steering Committee Chair, Professor Lesley Colvin
- Pain Deputy Clinical Leader, Professor Gary MacFarlane
- National Lead Clinician for Chronic Pain, Dr Nicola Rhind
- National Pain Portfolio Performance Manager, Jacqui Pearson
- To join our mailing list (or advise of a change in email contact for the mailing list) please contact, Jacqui Pearson
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Pain resources
Useful links and resources for researchers and people with pain
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NHS Pain developments
Developments and successes from across the NRS Pain community
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Steering Commitee
A multi-disciplinary membership representing a wide range of expertise
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Pain publications
The latest publications from across the pain research community