Course
Wednesday 10th September 2025
ST Session Pain Management and Management of Syncope
Speakers: Ms Helen Burke, Dr Andrew Cavanagh
Break (15.15-15.30)
Session 2 (15.30 - 16.30).
o Outline the common causes of syncope.
o Describe the primary care management of syncope and identify when referral to secondary care is indicated.
o Conduct a medication review in patients with orthostatic hypotension.
o Consolidate learning through case-based discussions, applying knowledge to clinical scenarios.
1. explain the role of the pain mx team and outline the services they provide
2. summarise the 10 footsteps approach to mx pain and reflect on holistic approaches used in primary care
3. discuss strategies for mx pain in pts with complex emotional needs
4. apply pain mx principles in a case-based discussion to consolidate learning
5. identify and share useful resources to support ongoing practice
About the speaker
Ms Helen Burke
Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist Pain Service GHNHSFT
Helen Burke is the Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Chronic Pain Service. She has experience in leading both Acute and Chronic Pain Teams. She has been trained in non-medical prescribing and health coaching and uses these skills within her medication optimisation clinics, empowering people to live well with less medication. She is passionate about promoting a holistic approach to pain management with less emphasis on medication.
About the speaker
Dr Andrew Cavanagh
Consultant Geriatrician and General Medicine
GHNHSFT
Inpatient
Guiting Ward at Cheltenham General Hospital
On-call cover of the Frailty Assessment Unit and other Care of the Elderly Wards within the Trust.
Outpatient
Syncope Clinic Tilt Table/ Autonomic Testing Service
Dr Cavanagh is a Consultant in Geriatric and General (Internal) Medicine. He is trained in all aspects of Geriatric/ General (Internal) Medicine with a specialist interest in Falls and Syncope.
He completed his undergraduate training at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, graduating with distinction. He completed his specialist training in the South West of England, working in a number of hospitals in the region, before starting as a Consultant Geriatrician at Gloucester Hospitals in 2020. He has completed accredited training in syncope through St James’ Hospital, Dublin. He has spent time on the syncope units at St James’ Hospital (Dublin) and the Royal Victoria Infirmary (Newcastle upon Tyne), two of the largest syncope units in Europe.
Dr Cavanagh is actively involved in medical education having completed a PGCert in medical education. He is currently the clinical tutor for Care of the Elderly, overseeing the specialist trainees at Gloucestershire Hospitals.
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