Citizens’ Jury on Pain Management

Join us for a unique opportunity to explore the outcomes of a powerful Citizens’ Jury process, developed to tackle one of the most pressing healthcare challenges in our region: persistent pain management.

HI NENC, NIHR ARC NENC, and the NENC Integrated Care Board partnered with Olovus to deliver a Citizens’ Jury on Pain Management in early 2025. This innovative approach brought together lived experience, expert insight, and public voices to co-develop recommendations that could reshape pain care in North East and North Cumbria.

This conference will showcase the process, celebrate the learning, and explore the jury’s final recommendations, which will be published in August 2025.

Why Attend?

• Learn how a Citizens’ Jury model can influence NHS service design and policy
• Explore persistent pain from multiple perspectives: clinical, lived experience, systems, and society
• Discuss how the recommendations can be integrated into health and care systems
• Connect with others driving innovation and compassion in healthcare across the region

Background

Persistent pain affects 1 in 3 adults, and the NENC region has historically seen some of the highest opioid prescribing rates in England. The Citizens’ Jury was established to explore alternatives to medicalised pain management, and ensure that public and patient voices inform future strategy.

Out of over 300 applicants, 15 jurors were selected to reflect the diversity of the NENC population. Over five sessions (three online and two in-person), they reviewed expert evidence and debated key issues. Their final recommendations aim to reduce reliance on opioids and support more effective, holistic approaches to long-term pain.

Key Topics Covered

• High Opioid Prescribing in NENC and the downward trend
• Chronic pain prevalence and the need for non-medical support options
• Risks of long-term opioid use and gaps in follow-up care
• Impact of deprivation and inequality on pain and prescribing
• Systemic issues in prescribing
• System-wide challenges in emergency care and OTC opioid use
• Policy and strategic interventions including NICE NG193, Core20PLUS5, and ICS initiatives

Who Should Attend?

• NHS commissioners and clinicians
• Researchers and academics
• People with lived experience of persistent pain
• Public health professionals
• VCSE organisations
• Health and social care policymakers

Event Objectives

• Share and celebrate the Citizens’ Jury process
• Examine how and where the jury model could be applied elsewhere
• Discuss integration of the recommendations into system-wide practice

Venue information

Venue

Hilton Hotel Newcastle Gateshead, Bottle Bank, Gateshead. NE8 2AR

Arriving at the venue

Please make your way to the Gateshead Suite on the ground floor.

For further information about the conference or to discuss accessibility concerns please contact sarah.black@healthinnovationnenc.org.uk

Travelling to the venue

The hotel is located overlooking the Tyne Bridge and is less than a mile from Gateshead metro station and eight minutes from the A1 motorway. It is approximately a fifteen-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station

Event parking

There is parking onsite.

Please visit the link below for all parking options

https://en.parkopedia.co.uk/parking/newcastle_upon_tyne/?arriving=202205141630&leaving=202205141830

Cycling

There isn’t a dedicated cycle rack at the venue. Bikes can be secured to the railings in the underground car park. This is at your own risk. Changing facilities are available at the venue, please go to reception on arrival.

Rail and Metro

The Hotel is less than a mile from Gateshead metro station and approximately a fifteen-minute walk from Newcastle Central Station