GMC Registered
Consultant-led private pain care
Dr Shamim Haider
Consultant in Pain Medicine & Anaesthesia
FFPMRCA · FRCA · MD · MBBS
Private pain consultations and image-guided pain procedures for people living with persistent spinal, nerve, knee and post-surgical pain.
Private consultant assessment
A balanced plan for diagnosis, procedures and non-procedural options where appropriate.
Oaks Hospital Colchester
Nuffield Health Ipswich
Radiofrequency treatmentsSpinal injectionsNerve blocksChronic pain assessment
Professional credentials
Faculty of Pain Medicine Fellow
Royal College of Anaesthetists
NHS Consultant since 2012
Editor, FPM Core Standards
Teaching, Speaking & Publications
About Dr Haider
Dr Haider's Approach
Private pain care led by a UK consultant, with specialist assessment, image-guided procedures and a balanced approach to treatment decisions.
Senior UK consultant experience
A 25-year medical career across NHS and private pain medicine, with clinical practice informed by national and international work.
Interventional and whole-person approach
Expertise in image-guided injections and radiofrequency treatments, balanced with careful assessment, medication review, rehabilitation options and honest discussion about the likely benefits, limitations and suitability of any procedure.
Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia background
Specialist training in both Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia, offering additional reassurance for patients considering injections, procedures or sedation where clinically appropriate.
National and international professional involvement
Teaching and speaking experience nationally and internationally, with textbook chapters, editorials, peer-reviewed publications and professional standards work. This helps keep care grounded in current evidence-based specialist practice.
How it works
How the Consultation Works
A calm, structured approach to understanding your pain and choosing the most appropriate next step.
01
Comprehensive assessment
A careful review of your symptoms, medical history, imaging and previous treatments, with time to understand what matters to you.
02
Clear diagnosis
Plain-language explanation of likely pain sources and whether further investigations, such as imaging or nerve tests, may be useful.
03
Shared treatment planning
A balanced discussion of conservative options, medicines, rehabilitation, injections or radiofrequency procedures where suitable.
04
Written plan and follow-up
A written report and next-step plan, with follow-up arranged where appropriate and communication with your GP or referrer with your consent.
Reassurance for anxious patients
If you feel nervous about injections or procedures, this can be discussed in advance. Any procedure is only recommended when it is clinically appropriate, and the expected benefits, limitations and alternatives are explained before you decide.
Conditions
Conditions Treated
Specialist assessment for persistent spinal, nerve, headache, knee and post-surgical pain conditions.
Back, neck and spinal pain
- Chronic lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Sciatica
- Facet joint pain
- Sacroiliac joint pain
Nerve and neuropathic pain
- Nerve pain
- Burning or electric-shock pain
- Post-surgical nerve pain
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Peripheral nerve pain
Chronic headache and upper body pain
- Cervicogenic headache
- Neck-related headache
- Shoulder pain where surgery is not suitable
- Suprascapular nerve-related pain
Knee and post-surgical pain
- Chronic knee pain
- Pain after knee arthroscopy
- Pain after knee replacement
- Persistent post-surgical pain
- Selected cases where nerve blocks or radiofrequency may help
Procedures and consultations
Private consultations and image-guided procedures
Treatment may include X-ray / fluoroscopy-guided procedures, ultrasound-guided procedures, radiofrequency treatments, nerve blocks or a non-procedural plan depending on clinical suitability.
Private pain consultation
- Chronic or long-term pain assessment
- Review of previous scans, reports and treatments
- Arranging further investigations where appropriate, including MRI, nerve conduction studies or specialist nuclear imaging
- Clear diagnosis and treatment planning
- Written report and next-step plan
X-ray and ultrasound-guided injections
- Epidural injections
- Facet joint injections
- Medial branch blocks
- Sacroiliac joint injections
- Nerve root blocks
- Procedures may use X-ray/fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance where appropriate
Radiofrequency treatments
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Radiofrequency denervation
- Spinal denervation
- Sacroiliac joint radiofrequency treatment
- Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation
- Pulsed radiofrequency for selected peripheral nerve pain
Nerve blocks and selected peripheral procedures
- Genicular nerve blocks
- Suprascapular nerve injections
- Sympathetic blocks
- Trigger point injections
- Selected ultrasound-guided injections
- Pulsed radiofrequency where clinically appropriate
Self-pay patients can book directly
A GP or specialist referral is helpful, but not essential. If further treatment or a procedure is recommended, the hospital team can usually provide clear information about costs before you proceed.
Treatment recommendations are tailored to your symptoms, examination findings, imaging and previous treatment. Not every patient needs or is suitable for an injection, and conservative options are considered alongside interventional procedures.
Contact and booking
Book a Private Pain Consultation
Choose a direct hospital booking option, or send a brief enquiry if you are unsure which route is right for you.
Oaks Hospital, Colchester
Book private appointments with Dr Haider at Oaks Hospital.
Check availability & book directly
Opens Oaks Hospital (Ramsay Health Care) booking page.
Call 01206 752121
Nuffield Health Ipswich
Book private appointments with Dr Haider at Nuffield Health Ipswich.
Need help choosing?
Send a brief enquiry if you are unsure about location, payment route or whether an appointment is right for you.
Fees & Insurance
Self-pay and insured patients are welcome. Consultation and procedure fees are confirmed by the relevant hospital booking team. If you are self-paying, the hospital can usually provide fee information before treatment is arranged. If you are using private medical insurance, please confirm authorisation with your insurer before attending.
Access at a glance
Self-referrals welcome
Insured & self-pay welcome
Colchester & Ipswich clinics
Virtual consultations by arrangement
Recognised by many major UK private medical insurers
Bupa
AXA Health
Aviva
Cigna
WPA
Vitality
Please confirm authorisation with your insurer before treatment. Other recognised insurers may also be accepted.
This website is for private outpatient consultation enquiries. For urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
Contact Information
Email
dr.haider@thepaindoc.co.uk
Urgent concerns
For urgent medical concerns, please contact your GP, NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
Private Clinic Locations
Oaks Hospital Colchester
Oaks Hospital, Mile End Road, Colchester CO4 5XR
Private clinics by appointment
Nuffield Health Ipswich
Foxhall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 8LX
Private clinics by appointment
Private appointments through this website are currently offered at Oaks Hospital Colchester and Nuffield Health Ipswich.
New Patient Information
If you have a referral letter, please bring it, along with your medication list and any relevant imaging reports or clinic letters. A GP or specialist referral is helpful, but not essential for self-pay patients. Please allow 60–90 minutes for your first appointment.
Teaching & Speaking
Contributing to pain medicine education through conference presentations and training workshops
Recent Speaking Engagements
World Institute of Pain — Interventional Pain Workshop
2024Dubai
Faculty
Indian Society for the Study of Pain — ISSPCON 2019
2019India
International Expert Panel & Oral Presentation
London Society of Regional Anaesthesia (LSORA) — Ultrasound in Pain Medicine
International Workshop, UCLH London
Essex Pain International Conference
London
Faculty
Publications
Contributing to pain medicine standards, literature and education
Editor
Core Standards for Pain Management Services- 2026
Faculty of Pain Medicine, UK
Contributing to UK professional standards for pain management practice.
Selected Publications and Book Chapters
Book Chapter• 2017
Focal Low Back Pain and its Pain Management
Gupta S, Haider S, Titterington JA
Symptom Orientated Pain Management, 2nd ed.
Jaypee Medical Publishers
Journal Article• 2021
Medical Cannabis in Chronic Pain Management — Where Are We Now?
Haider S, Liew WJ
Indian Journal of Pain
Journal Article• 2014
Management of Cervical Facet Joint Pain
Haider S
Journal of Observational Pain Medicine
Journal Article• 2011
Visceral Neuromodulation
Baranidharan G, Haider S
Paineurope
Patient feedback
Patient Feedback
What patients say about their experience
Recent Google Maps Reviews
Hilly Mills
Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital
Gillian Hollands
Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital
Sonya Trusty
Oaks Hospital, Colchester
"I was extremely impressed by Dr Haider's consultation. He was very caring and attentive and it was such a shame that it took so long to arrive at this appointment."
A.P.
Pain Management
"Literally I felt I was listened to and walked away feeling someone understands and will help me with the pain. The consultant's assistance was professional and welcoming. Fantastic service from the moment I arrived."
E.M.
Chronic Pain
"Dr Haider had looked at my recent medical history prior to calling me in. The assessment and discussions were carried out very thoroughly with demonstrations using a model of the spine. I felt I left with a positive outcome."
F.B.
Back and Hip Pain
"Thank you so much for such a positive appointment. My appointment was undertaken with such a caring approach it made me feel quite emotional that I was being listened to and my pain understood. Gold stars to you both."
P.L.
Chronic Pain Management
"Thank you for taking the time to truly see me and listen. I was heard and supported with dignity. Your gentle humour, kindness, experience and humanity meant so much as you persevered through better pain management options."
K.M.
Pain Management
"It was a very good consultation at Colchester. Dr Haider examined me, explained my condition and problems, and the course of treatment he thought best for me. Very friendly and informative consultation with which I was very satisfied."
M.K.
Pain Management Consultation
FAQ
Common Questions
Information about private appointments, referrals, insurance and enquiries
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