Julia LennipsThe Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Canadian Veterans (Centre of Excellence) announced its official launch at McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences this past May.
With it reported that more than 40 per cent of Canadian Veterans suffer from chronic pain, the Centre of Excellence is focusing on pain management research and evidence-based therapies that address Veterans’ complex chronic pain challenges and needs.
“As Veterans, we believe that no one should be left behind. That’s what drives the Centre of Excellence. Chronic pain is a vicious cycle where you feel hopeless, broken, and isolated,” says Derek Speirs, Veteran, advocate for Veterans’ issues and volunteer with the Centre of Excellence.
To provide training and education
The Centre of Excellence will provide training and education to care teams across the country.
President, CEO, and Medical Director of the Centre of Excellence Dr. Ramesh Zacharias says, “Veterans are at the heart of everything we do, from setting the research agenda to designing pain management therapies, to working with pain clinics and other care providers so that Veterans across the country can access care closer to home.”
Both Veterans and civilians alike may benefit from the centre’s research, which it is hoped will improve the understanding and care of chronic pain for all Canadians.
$20.1 million in funding over five years
Announced in the 2019 budget, the centre is receiving $20.1 million in funding over five years from Veterans Affairs Canada, with $5 million annually per year ongoing to establish the Centre.
The funds are designated to go towards conducting research on innovative pain management therapies.
The research will be shared with a network of academic institutions and university and community-based clinics across Canada.
On the centre’s website, Canadians can read their research insights and access the list of partner clinics that deliver evidence-based care to Veterans and their families. Visit the website here.
