participant 
Dougie
NHS Hospital Porter
Dunfermline, Scotland
Provided Pathway through Pain via Access to Work Scheme
Issues 
Lower back pain and difficulty walking for 14 years
On his feet all day, walking 7.5 to 8 miles daily
Reduced ability to perform his duties
Persistent regular absences due to his condition
Solution 
Access to Work needs assessment
Digital pain management program recommended
Effective and motivational digital support tool
Accessible and on demand, in-hand on a smartphone
Outcomes 
Improved physical and mental ability to perform duties
Reduced sickness absences to normal/acceptable levels
97% health improvement
80% reduction in depression
48% self-efficacy improvement
Able to come off absence program for the first time in years
"If it's beneficial for me then it's beneficial for an employer as well because it's getting he or she back to where they want to be. Not pain-free but how to manage your pain, which is what the whole program is about. You've got that app in your hand. You don't have to rely on anybody."
Dougie
NHS Hospital Porter, Dunfermline UK
Case Background
As a hospital porter, Dougie is on his feet all day and required to walk between 7 to 8.5 miles daily in the course of his duties. In 2010 he sustained a serious neck injury when he slipped on ice, damaging his spinal cord and impacting on his nervous system. He underwent two operations on his neck and received five months of intensive physiotherapy to begin walking again.
Following his injury, he suffered long-term pain in his lower back and thigh and walking difficulties from which he will never fully recover due to nerve damage. These issues seriously impacted on his ability to perform his duties at work and led to a persistent need for absences.
His employer, NHS Tayside, was supportive and he was placed on an absence program to try and get him back to work. He was signposted to Access to Work and underwent a workplace needs assessment. Pathway through Pain was recommended as suitable support for Dougie and following NHS Tayside authorisation he began the program in December 2024.
Program & Results
Dougie swiftly noticed an improvement in his ability to manage his pain, continue working and keep his absence rate to a minimum. In addition to the efficacy of the program, its flexible, on-demand nature and modular format made using it at work simple and convenient.
As well as working through the program progressively, the library of content enabled him to instantly access relevant videos when needed, for example stretching exercises. The short-form video format of 3- to 4-minutes means support is rapidly delivered as and when needed. The module on what pain is and what causes it helped Dougie to understand his pain and manage it better.
His mental wellbeing and ability to manage his pain improved dramatically and the content and reminder emails kept him motivated. His colleagues and assistant line manager who manages his absences noticed a remarkable difference. Dougie came off his absence program for the first time in years in July 2025. Pathway through Pain has enabled him to go through his pain barrier every time and keep working.
"It's helped me manage my pain that's associated with me so that I can keep working and keep my absence rate down to a minimum."
Dougie
NHS Hospital Porter, Dunfermline UK
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