Referral advice for patients

What to expect when you are referred for consultation

In order to see any specialist you require a referral from either your dentist or doctor. This is usually done by letter. One the letter (or fax/email) referral is received then the appointments process starts. Depending upon the type of service and which hospital you have been referred to the appointment will be secured by letter confirmation followed by a phone call confirmation. See more information on patient/pain pathways.

If you are referred to Kings Health Partners OFP clinics you will be contacted and sent a unique confidential password and login for this website. Once logged on you will be asked a series of questions about yourself and your condition.

You will also be able to complete your history, details about your pain condition and psychometrics questionnaires. This information is collected by Smart survey and is compliant with NHS security and patient confidentiality

  • Goals of treatment
  • Pain diary
  • List current medications
  • History of previous consults, tests and results

When we see the patients on the clinic, what do we need to do to make a diagnosis

We will need to fully understand the treatment details and the patients’ problem and will need to ask further questions and look through provided patient information. In making a diagnosis of trigeminal nerve injury

Imagining tests (X-rays), such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain, may be conducted. In addition we may ask you to have some blood tests.

These tests are used to eliminate some causes of trigeminal neuralgia, such as lesions, aneurysms or multiple sclerosis which are not usually present in patients with nerve injuries.

Once all the examination and tests are completed your surgeon will confirm your diagnosis and give you an explanation of what may be possible to help.

Possible treatments

  • Counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy- we have a great team who are able to assess you for individual or group patient sessions. You are first seen by Dr Lisa Page our liaison psychiatrist and then by Dr Sarah Barker.
  • Medication for pain sometime tablets sometimes numbing patches- Often we refer the patient back to their doctor if medication is needed.
  • Surgery is rarely carried out for this condition as it can make patients worse on some occasions

After treatment we will ask we ask the patient to complete further questionnaires and feedback forms. We continue to monitor many patients as some injuries do not require actual treatment as they are improving over 3- 6 months. After the consultation we write letters to the person who referred you to us and you are copied in.

Advice to patients referred to the OFPS

When you are referred to the Orofacial Pain Service at Kings College Hospital we need your assistance with completing the attached BEFORE your appointment;

  • Pain questionnaire
  • Keep a pain dairy (example attached) to inform us of the pattern, intensity and response to medication
  • The website link for further information is www.http://http://www.orofacialpain.org.uk

Please be advised that without;

  • Completed pain questionnaires
  • Completed pain diaries
  • Full Medication list (use your repeat prescription form)
  • And provision of all your recent (last 2 years ) relevant tests including;
    • blood tests
    • Xrays and their reports
    • MRI or CT scan reports and CDs which can be request and provided by your medical GP

Your treatment may be delayed. Please be aware of NHS waiting times (maximum 18 week national target).

After your appointment

After your appointment you will be asked to complete outcome assessment and your referring clinician will get an outcome letter which will be copied to you usually 10-14 days after your appointment.