Dr Lucy Ward

Dr Lucy Ward is a Consultant in Pain Medicine at the Wellington Hospital, with over 20 years' experience helping people with complex musculoskeletal and persistent pain conditions. In addition to training in traditional pain management techniques, she holds additional accreditation in Lifestyle Medicine from the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

Her approach combines specialist pain medicine with lifestyle medicine, recognising that pain is influenced by far more than the site of symptoms alone. Sleep, physical activity, stress, nutrition, work, relationships, general health and social wellbeing can all affect how pain is experienced and how recovery unfolds.

When you come to see Dr Ward, her first priority is to listen carefully and understand your story. She will take time to explore not only the pain itself, but also how pain is affecting your everyday life, and how everyday life may in turn be influencing your pain. Together, you and Dr Ward will develop a shared understanding of the factors contributing to patient's symptoms and identify what matters most.

Dr Ward reviews previous investigations, treatments and interventions, and develops a personalised management plan that reflects the patients' goals, priorities and circumstances. Recommendations may include medication, interventional procedures, rehabilitation strategies, further investigations or multidisciplinary support from trusted colleagues such as physiotherapists and psychologists.

A key part of Dr Ward's role is helping patients identify small, realistic and workable steps that can begin to create the right conditions for improvement and recovery. These changes are different for every individual and are always tailored to what feels achievable and meaningful.

She has a particular interest in helping people with musculoskeletal pain improve function, quality of life and confidence in their bodies. She also support patients who are considering surgery for painful musculoskeletal conditions, helping to optimise health and wellbeing before surgery and supporting recovery afterwards.

Dr Ward's aim is not simply to reduce pain, but to help people regain control, restore function and return to the activities that matter most to them.