A six-week programme to help people aged over 45, experiencing long-term hip or knee pain, due to osteoarthritis, lead a more active lifestyle.
The ESCAPE pain programme runs twice a week and involves a combination of education, exercise and specialist advice from a physiotherapist.
You can access this programme at:
- Sevenoaks Hospital, Sevenoaks
- Tonbridge Cottage Hospital, Tonbridge
- Churchill Centre, Aylesford
- Gravesham Community Hospital, Gravesend.
If you cannot attend any of these locations, or would prefer to access the ESCAPE programme in your own time, you can access the programme online via escape-pain.org.
Criteria to join this programme
Includes:
- patients aged over 45 with chronic joint pain (at least three months’ duration)
- clinical diagnosis of osteoarthritis
- needing a supervised exercise programme
- independently mobile
- no contraindications to carrying out a regular exercise programme.
How to join the programme
- Your GP or healthcare professional can refer you to the ESCAPE programme via email kentchft.physiopatients@nhs.net, by the e-referral service (ERS).
- You can self-refer by using our MSK referral form.
If you have any questions or you would like to check which days the programme is running at your closest location please email kentchft.physiopatients@nhs.net or phone 0300 123 0854.
Your stories
“I have arthritis in both hips, I saw this and thought “I’ll give it a go!”” I wish it could go on forever, it’s wonderful. It’s been great for my pain but it’s also the social aspect of the group that’s been fantastic – it’s good for my inner self.”
Sandra Percival, 71 from Herne Bay
“I wanted to reduce the pain medication I am on for my arthritis, which I have done. It’s a group session but you still get individualised care. I have been running around with my granddaughter with no pain!”
Gill Conneely, 74 from Hoath