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TARPS (The Auckland Regional Pain Service)

Public Service, Pain Management, Anaesthesia, Rheumatology, Psychiatry

Description

The Auckland Regional Pain Service (TARPS) provides quality pain management to the people of Auckland and beyond. TARPS provides outpatient services including clinical assessment and management of acute and chronic pain utilising a multidisciplinary approach.

The TARPS team is made up of Pain Medicine Specialists, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Occupational Therapist, Psychiatrist, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and a Pain Fellow. 

Some of the most common conditions treated by TARPS in adult patients:

  • Musculoskeletal pain disorders e.g. chronic back pain, chronic neck with or without shoulder pain, fibromyalgia
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  • Phantom limb pain
  • Headache
  • Facial pain
  • Post-herpetic neuralgia
  • Atypical chest pain(s)
  • Abdominal pain with or without Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Pelvic pain

Consultants

Ages

Adult / Pakeke, Older adult / Kaumātua

How do I access this service?

Referral

Referral Expectations

At TARPS we prefer to work in collaboration with your General Practitioner and expect that all referrals will be made in consultation with the General Practitioner. We are a tertiary, regional service and so expect that you will have had a medical work-up at the primary care level and that appropriate specialist consultation has occurred.

The Triage Team has the responsibility of screening the referrals.  A decision is then made about the most appropriate clinical discipline to see you. On some occasions only a physical assessment will occur and on others a psychosocial and physical assessment as well as a physical capacity evaluation (with a Physiotherapist).

We manage separate waiting lists for ADHB and ACC patients. We see all ADHB patients as routine unless they have a cancer diagnosis; we have maintained ESPI (Elective Services Patient Flow Indicators) compliance for our ADHB patients consistently for several years. We see ACC patients under our ACC contracts.   

Fees and Charges Description

There are no charges for citizens or those with permanent residency when they are treated in the public hospital. All non-residents and visitors to will be billed for the full cost of the consultations and treatment.

The only exception to this is for the treatment of accidents where the cost of treatment can be paid for by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). 
 

Hours

Outpatient sessions are held at Greenlane Clinical Centre.

You must have an appointment to attend any of these sessions (see 'referral expectations' section below)

 

General Outpatients:

Monday/Tuesday (9:00am - 4.30pm)

 

TARPS (Building 7):

Monday - Friday (8.00am - 4.30pm)

Procedures / Treatments

Comprehensive pain assessment

The management of complex chronic pain often requires the skills of several pain specialists working together to provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan. At the time of initial assessment a referral may be made to other clinicians within the multidisciplinary team.

The management of complex chronic pain often requires the skills of several pain specialists working together to provide a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan.  At the time of initial assessment a referral may be made to other clinicians within the multidisciplinary team. 

Medication management

Identification of appropriate pharmacological agents for possible short or long-term maintenance. Trials of oral medication may require sequential clinic visits to monitor clinical effects, side effects and serum (blood) concentrations of the drug being trialled.

Identification of appropriate pharmacological agents for possible short or long-term maintenance. Trials of oral medication may require sequential clinic visits to monitor clinical effects, side effects and serum (blood) concentrations of the drug being trialled.
Outpatient Interventional Clinic

Provision of a range of interventional treatments with full theatre, X-ray and recovery room facilities. Procedures include nerve blocks, joint injections, medication infusions, externalised and implanted intrathecal pumps and Spinal Cord Stimulators.

Provision of a range of interventional treatments with full theatre, X-ray and recovery room facilities.  Procedures include nerve blocks, joint injections, medication infusions, externalised and implanted intrathecal pumps and Spinal Cord Stimulators.
Outpatient Physiotherapy

The core focus of physiotherapy through TARPS is on assessing and managing activity intolerance, to improve patient function and self-efficacy. Musculoskeletal assessment and use of our Physical Capacity Evaluation (PCE) testing provides a baseline measure of function and a means of monitoring progress. The PCE involves a battery of physical performance tests that are quick, simple, use minimal specialised equipment and are meaningful to the patient and therapist. Virtually all physiotherapy intervention is active, usually involving simple graded activity using a cognitive behavioural model. We do specific exposure therapy relevant to the patient, and use new technologies such as the use of virtual reality to optimise activity.

The core focus of physiotherapy through TARPS is on assessing and managing activity intolerance, to improve patient function and self-efficacy. Musculoskeletal assessment and use of our Physical Capacity Evaluation (PCE) testing provides a baseline measure of function and a means of monitoring progress. The PCE involves a battery of physical performance tests that are quick, simple, use minimal specialised equipment and are meaningful to the patient and therapist. Virtually all physiotherapy intervention is active, usually involving simple graded activity using a cognitive behavioural model.  We do specific exposure therapy relevant to the patient, and use new technologies such as the use of virtual reality to optimise activity.
Pain Management

There is the opportunity either individually or in small groups to explore and refine a range of coping strategies and techniques shown to be useful for persons coping with persistent pain. The general aim of these sessions is to improve participation in daily activities and enhance quality of life. The TARPS Team has extensive expertise in this area and regularly reviews its processes in the light of world trends and developments. Typical of the problems addressed are mood difficulties associated with or related to persistent pain e.g. depression, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Specific cognitive and behavioural methods reviewed include: Skills training e.g. relaxation, mindfulness meditation, hypnosis for pain control, cognitive restructuring Activity management Stress management Work skill exploration.

There is the opportunity either individually or in small groups to explore and refine a range of coping strategies and techniques shown to be useful for persons coping with persistent pain.   The general aim of these sessions is to improve participation in daily activities and enhance quality of life.  

The TARPS Team has extensive expertise in this area and regularly reviews its processes in the light of world trends and developments.

Typical of the problems addressed are mood difficulties associated with or related to persistent pain e.g. depression,  anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Specific cognitive and behavioural methods reviewed include:

  • Skills training e.g. relaxation, mindfulness meditation, hypnosis for pain control, cognitive restructuring 
  • Activity management
  • Stress management 
  • Work skill exploration.
Comprehensive 3-week Pain Management Programme

The Pain Management Programme is a structured 3-week course (Monday to Friday - 8.15am to 3.00pm) for patients with chronic non-malignant pain. It has been designed to help when standard medical or surgical treatment may have provided little, or minimal relief from pain. Following the Programme, the group members are invited to attend three follow-ups at 1, 6, and 12 months. Further review will be offered on an as-needed basis. The Pain Management Programme consists of three main parts: EDUCATION - topics from a variety of speakers on understanding chronic pain, lifestyle and personal development skills, goal setting, relapse management, guidance for return to work and sharing information on how family and other relationships are affected by pain. RELAXATION - the opportunity to try a variety of relaxation and mindfulness meditation techniques. These techniques enable participants to become more aware of their muscle tension and factors that intensify the pain. Relaxation may have an effect on reducing pain, managing anxiety and improving sleep. ACTIVATION - a graduated exercise programme designed to improve general fitness and increase activity levels. Ultimately the goal is to facilitate and enable resumption of normal or more nearly normal life activities.

The Pain Management Programme is a structured 3-week course (Monday to Friday - 8.15am to 3.00pm) for patients with chronic non-malignant pain.  It has been designed to help when standard medical or surgical treatment may have provided little, or minimal relief from pain.

Following the Programme, the group members are invited to attend three follow-ups at 1, 6, and 12 months.  Further review will be offered on an as-needed basis.

The Pain Management Programme consists of three main parts:

EDUCATION - topics from a variety of speakers on understanding chronic pain, lifestyle and personal development skills, goal setting, relapse management, guidance for return to work and sharing information on how family and other relationships are affected by pain.

RELAXATION - the opportunity to try a variety of relaxation and mindfulness meditation techniques. These techniques enable participants to become more aware of their muscle tension and factors that intensify the pain. Relaxation may have an effect on reducing pain, managing anxiety and improving sleep.

ACTIVATION - a graduated exercise programme designed to improve general fitness and increase activity levels.  Ultimately the goal is to facilitate and enable resumption of normal or more nearly normal life activities.

Drop-in Relaxation Group

For patients who have completed their initial assessment at TARPS, there is an open invitation to attend a drop-in group relaxation class on Wednesday 12:00 - 12:50. No appointment is necessary. Note - this is also offered as a virtual group option via Zoom.

For patients who have completed their initial assessment at TARPS, there is an open invitation to attend a drop-in group relaxation class on Wednesday 12:00 - 12:50.  No appointment is necessary.

Note - this is also offered as a virtual group option via Zoom.

Contact Details

Greenlane Clinical Centre

Central Auckland

Patient enquiries: (09) 375 4300
Known extension: (09) 307 4949
Outpatient appointments and surgical booking enquiries: (09) 638 0400 or scheduling@adhb.govt.nz 
Mental Health Services 24 Hour Crisis Line: 0800 800717

214 Green Lane
Epsom
Auckland 1051

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Street Address

214 Green Lane
Epsom
Auckland 1051

Postal Address

Greenlane Clinical Centre
Private Bag 92 189
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142

This page was last updated at 11:58AM on July 22, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by TARPS (The Auckland Regional Pain Service).