Holstep Health Chronic Pain Service – Northern Regions

The Holstep Health (formerly Merri Health) Chronic Pain Service (CPS) provides an evidence-based, multidisciplinary service to help people self-manage and recover from pain. It is for people aged at least 18 who have had chronic or persistent pain for longer than 3 months. It is available for residents of Hume, Darebin, Merri-bek, Yarra, Melbourne, Moonee Ponds and the Macedon Ranges.

The community based service is run by highly specialised pain clinicians dedicated to providing interdisciplinary, evidence-based, holistic and person-centred care, with input from general practitioners and clinicians from The Royal Melbourne Hospital and Northern Health.

It uses treatment modalities including pain medication, medical management, cognitive functional therapy, psychological approaches, lifestyle coaching, exercise, and mindfulness skills to provide the best possible tools for each patient’s pain care journey.

It provides:

• an active management and biopsychosocial approach
• options for individual, group and telehealth consultations
• care coordination, physiotherapy, and clinical psychology
• medical consultation, if required, on site at Holstep Health, in partnership with the RMH
• options for involvement in case consultations and conferencing with the staff.

Client data and outcomes are collected using Holstep Health’s client information system, and through the national Electronic Persistent Pain Outcomes Collaboration.

Results show:

• Almost 92 per cent of patients felt better overall after taking part in the program.
• 75 per cent of patients found it easier to move and be physically active.
• 60 per cent of patients who presented with moderate or worse pain had a noticeable improvement by the end of their care.
• Patients were better able to manage work and felt less affected by pain while working.
• Over half of the patients who were feeling depressed when they started saw real improvements in their mental health.
• Every patient who was experiencing high levels of stress at the start felt significantly better by the end of the program.

“My whole outlook on life has changed, and I am interested in finding a new job again. The pressure valve has been released in my home life too; a much nicer environment for everyone.” – CPS discharge survey respondent, 2023

“My attitude and mindset towards pain has changed significantly. I am more calm and I understand how chronic pain works and how I can manage it. I don’t feel as anxious or scared about my pain.” – CPS discharge survey respondent, 2022

Page updated 29 July 2025.