I was very disappointed to read about Marguerite Brown’s experiences with the new Pain Service although I am aware that a number of patients have ‘fallen between the cracks’.

There have been teething troubles but I believe that The Pain Service managed by Dorset HealthCare (DHUFT) has been doing its best in difficult circumstances.

My understanding is that DHUFT had been led to believe that they would be taking on 700 patients when the actual number was nearer 2,000. The Pain Service received 900 Pain Diaries from the previous service provider, many were un-named.

The patient records then had to be borrowed from DCH, copied, scanned and returned to DCH, a process that took nearly six months.

This is why all NHS records should be in digital format.

It is clear that some patients have slipped through the system, something confirmed to me by the Primary Care Trust, now the Clinical Commissioning Group, prior to DHUFT taking over.

DHUFT had hoped to provide injection therapy at Weymouth Hospital but DCH removed its equipment and reserved many facilities at Weymouth for its own use meaning that DHUFT had to set up injection therapy elsewhere.

Injection therapy is due to commence at Bridport soon.

I believe that DHUFT didn’t appreciate what they were taking on.

I believe the CCG needs to take a serious look at its tendering procedures, and in my opinion there is a communication problem between the CCG and its service providers, as demon-strated by the recent problems with the E-zec Medical tender. I have been told that over 2,000 patients are being sent a questionnaire by The Pain Service to make sure that they are receiving the appropriate treatment. If any patient feels that they have been forgotten the Pain Service can be contacted on 01305 213040 (Dorchester) or 01305 762584 (Weymouth).

My wife has received excellent treatment at the Nuffield and I am sure Marguerite Brown will as well. I wish her well.

Peter Watson Manor Road Dorchester