Dr Meera Tewani

   I was appointed to Warwick Hospital in December 2009 after finishing my higher training in Anesthesia and a Fellowship in Pain Management in the West Midlands. I trained in Pain Management as a Clinical Research Fellow in Birmingham Heartlands, Solihull, Good Hope and Russell Hall Hospitals, Marie Curie and St Giles Hospices.  I worked in Warwick Hospital and did the bulk of the Chronic Pain Management work for five years. I audited my work regularly, using the Pain Audit Collection System software and conducted my own audits which showed a positive outcome of the Pain Clinic.      I moved to Heart of England NHS Trust in December 2014 to develop the Pelvic Pain services. I work in the Pain service which covers a wide area in Birmingham both in the community and the hospital and I do specialist Pain Clinics for Epidermolysis Bullosa patients. I am the lead for pelvic pain. I do many interventions to help pain patients. I have a Diploma in Lifestyle Medicine awarded by the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine and International Board of Lifestyle Medicine. I am a member of the Chronic Pain and Lifestyle Medicine small interest group and am actively involved in attending meetings and educating GPS and patients in Lifestyle Medicine. I have brought new ideas regarding Lifestyle Medicine and have changed the Pain Management Programme’s curriculum to help chronic pain patients improve their health and pain by improving their lifestyles.      I was a Council Member of the British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine for seven years and taught in their roadshows. I ran a national level course for the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anesthetists on examination skills for the Pain Specialist and have also taught these skills at local and regional levels. I started Advanced Pain Training in the Trust and took up the role of Faculty Tutor . This programme is ongoing. I am also the lead for the Pain Module for Anesthesia trainees. I have taken up the responsibilities of the Regional Advisor for Pain Medicine from 2 years. This role involves ensuring appropriate training in the region and overseeing Consultant appointments as the Royal College representative. I teach in the FRCA tutorials for Pain. I keep abreast with knowledge and skills. I am currently involved on research on neuropathic pain in dermatological conditions. I have done a national level talk on ‘Evidence for diet and chronic Pain which was well received. I believe in a holistic approach in treating chronic pain.     I am a GMC trained appraiser for Consultants. I have a rich and varied experience in Anesthesia of over 30 years. I do flexible lists including general surgery, colorectal, trauma and orthopaedics, emergencies in vascular, general, ENT and other specialties. As a trauma anesthetist in Warwick, I helped in improving the outcome of very sick patients needing urgent surgery.

I have a private clinic called Warwickshire Pain Clinic where I offer specialized treatments for insured patients, or those who wish to skip the NHS waiting list. The clinic offers a service that is comprehensive, structured and personal – each patient’s particular needs are attended to. If required, I refer to other expert clinicians. I look after most chronic pain patients which includes spinal pain (neck,chest wall and lower back), musculoskeletal pain, chronic abdominal-pelvic pain, chronic widespread pain, fibromyalgia, dermatological pain, headaches, post surgical pain and complex regional pain syndrome. The approach is holistic which includes taking a detailed history, examination and treatment. Treatment includes investigations, advice on lifestyle which includes diet, sleep and exercise, medications and injections. Referral to other specialists directly or via the GP is requested. The necessary follow ups are done to ensure completion of the treatment. I provide necessary information leaflets and signpost patients to helpful websites for continuity of care. Interventions include those for headaches, neck and back pain, joint injections, injections for abdominal and pelvic pain, radio-frequency denervations, trigger point injections, intramuscular injections and injections for sciatica and nerve root irritation in the back. I do lumbar prolotherapy when indicated. I try and help in a multi-prong fashion to help reduce both pain and suffering.