Award shortlisting for campaign providing hope to people suffering with chronic pain

A national project helping to change the way people understand and manage persistent pain, which involves expertise from a Teesside University academic, has been shortlisted for a national award.

Flippin’ Pain, which aims to change how people think about, talk about, and treat persistent pain, has been shortlisted for the ‘Most Impactful Partnership in Preventative Healthcare’ award at the HSJ (Health Service Journal) Partnership Awards.

The HSJ Partnership Awards recognise outstanding dedication to improving healthcare and effective collaboration with the NHS. Now in its seventh year, 228 entries have been received for this year’s Partnership Awards.

This nomination celebrates collaboration between Flippin’ Pain, NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB, Tees Valley Sport Active Partnership and Teesside University.

Part of this work included the Tees Valley Community Outreach Tour held last year, which involved six days of free events and activities as the campaign messages were taken to towns and cities across the region.

Public seminars and workshops for healthcare professionals were held throughout the week, which included talks by pain academics, clinicians, and other experts in the field.

Professor Cormac Ryan, Professor of Clinical Rehabilitation in the University’s School of Health & Life Sciences, who led a guest panel of speakers at one of the roadshow events, said: “I’m delighted to see this recognition for Flippin’ Pain. Empowering people through the campaign with a better understanding of persistent pain is a crucial step towards tackling this major public health issue and promoting better pain management for all.”

Richard Pell, Flippin’ Pain Campaign Director, said: “Being shortlisted for Most Impactful Partnership in Preventative Healthcare in the HSJ Partnership Awards 2024 shows a stamp of approval for the work that we strive to deliver and is recognition for all the hard work of both our team and our NHS partners.”

Richard added: “The expertise, influence, and commitment from Cormac has been integral to the success of our ongoing campaigns, as well as the influence from research carried out at and linked to Teesside University, which has greatly supported the development of the campaign since its inception.”

Flippin’ Pain is an initiative from leading independent healthcare provider Connect Health.

The winners will be announced during the awards ceremony in London in March.

---