Residential course

We run one of the few residential pain management courses in the NHS.

The course lasts 3 weeks. In this time, you'll learn and practise new ways of responding to pain. The aim is to be able to do more of the things that are important to you.

To attend the residential course, you must be able to:

• wash, dress and care for yourself
• travel to and from St Thomas' Hospital
• stay in our accommodation on weeknights

What the day will look like

A typical day lasts from 9am to 5pm. You'll have sessions with different professionals, including:

• physiotherapists
• psychologists
• occupational therapists
• nurses

There will be breaks throughout the day, and lunch will be provided.

Your first day

The first morning will be an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other. We'll also introduce the programme and discuss:

• the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach and how this helps with pain management
• how we can best work together as a group
• some practical aspects of the programme

It's useful to attend the first session. If you're going to be late, phone us on 020 7188 3255 or 020 7188 8877.

Accommodation

You'll stay in a flat at Gassiot House, St Thomas' Hospital during week nights and go home on weekends.

In the evenings, you're free to go out but we ask that you return to the accommodation to sleep.

There is a lift in Gassiot House accommodation but you must be able to walk up and down stairs, in case of a fire alarm.

You have your own bedroom and share a bathroom and kitchen with 2 or 3 other people. The accommodation is single-sex. If you have any concerns and would like to speak to us about accommodation, please contact us and we will do our best to support your needs.

The flats are cleaned at the weekends. Bedding and towels are changed on Thursdays and Fridays. You'll be expected to keep your flat clean and tidy and to do your own washing up.

Food

We provide breakfast and lunch. You need to make your own arrangements for an evening meal. There is a fridge and microwave available for your use in the flat.

If you have any dietary needs, please let the team know before starting the programme.

Parking and travel

You can drive to the hospital but car parking spaces are not guaranteed.

Read more about travelling to St Thomas' Hospital.

Emergencies during your stay

Staff are available between 9am to 5pm.

If you have an emergency between 5pm to 9am, please go to the emergency department (A&E). Let them know you are attending an INPUT programme.

If you're able to wait until the morning, but would like to speak to a member of staff, please call 020 7188 3255 or 020 7188 3228 and leave a message. A staff member will contact you as soon they can.

What to bring

Please bring enough clothing and toiletries for each week, rather than for the whole duration of the programme. Hospital porters are not available to help with luggage. You can leave your belongings in your room during the weekends.

Telephones

You can bring your mobile but please ask friends and relatives not to call you, unless it's an emergency. Mobile phones need to be switched off or put on silent during sessions.

You're unable to use the INPUT reception telephone to make calls, unless it's an emergency. There are payphones available in the main hospital, and there is a phone for incoming calls in your bedroom. The extension number for this will be given to you when your accommodation is allocated to you. Please ask callers not to ring you after 10pm to avoid disturbing others.

Friends and family will not be able to contact you by ringing the main INPUT office number after 5pm, or at the weekends.

After the course

When the course finishes, we'll invite you to a 1 month follow-up meeting with the same group.

You may choose to finish the course at any point. We'll arrange a 1 to 1 phone call to discuss why you no longer wish to continue the course and how we can support you further.