Persistent Physical Symptoms & Chronic Pain

We provide specialist psychological assessment of persistent physical symptoms and chronic pain, including presentations that may meet criteria for Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD). Our experts take a biopsychosocial approach, considering the complex interplay between physical symptoms, psychological responses, health beliefs, coping strategies and wider functional impact. Assessments provide a balanced and independent opinion on psychological factors, diagnosis where appropriate, causation, prognosis and treatment needs within the context of civil proceedings.

Dr Hannah Bashforth

HCPC Clinical Psychologist

Dr Bashforth has extensive specialist experience in chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms, developed through many years working in large tertiary and multidisciplinary pain services, including Salford Royal and The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Her clinical work has focused on the psychological assessment and treatment of people living with complex and persistent pain, giving her a nuanced understanding of the interaction between physical symptoms, psychological factors, adjustment and functioning. She has also published research extensively in the field of chronic pain and has presented on the psychological aspects of pain in both clinical and medico-legal contexts. This depth of clinical and academic experience informs her independent medico-legal assessment of complex chronic pain presentations.

Selected Presentations:

  • The Gender Pain Gap — Women in Law, ARAG, Bristol, 2026

  • The Psychology of Pain: Evidence-Based Medicolegal Assessment — 10th Annual Pain Expert Medicolegal Conference, Suffolk, 2025

  • The Impact and Biases of Health Inequalities in Chronic Pain — Brain and Mind Conference, Royal College of Physicians, 2023

  • Psychology and Chronic Pain in Legal Contexts — Expert Witness Institute, Manchester, 2020 & 2021

  • Psychology in Diabetic Neuropathy — British Symposium on Diabetic Neuropathy, 2019

  • Growing Pains: Needs of Emerging Adults with Chronic Pain — British Pain Society Annual Scientific Conference, 2017

  • Complex Patients in Pain Psychology Treatment — North of England Pain Group Conference, 2016

  • Specialised Pain Management Programmes: Reinventing the Wheel? — British Pain Society PMP Conference, 2015

Selected Publications:

  • Effects of Lockdown Restrictions and Impact of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in People With Chronic Pain During the Covid-19 Pandemic — The Journal of Pain, 2024

  • Age Differences in Cognitive–Affective Processes in Adults with Chronic Pain — European Journal of Pain, 2021

  • A Consideration of the Psychological Aspects to Managing Patients with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy — Diabetes Therapy, 2021

  • Adverse Effects of COVID-19-Related Lockdown on Pain, Physical Activity and Psychological Well-being in People with Chronic Pain — British Journal of Pain, 2021

  • Female Chronic Pelvic Pain: The Journey to Diagnosis and Beyond — Pain Management, 2017

  • The Development and Delivery of a Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Management Programme: A Specialised Interdisciplinary Approach — British Journal of Pain, 2015

Work With Us

Dr Hannah Bashforth

Dr Hannah Bashforth has extensive specialist experience in chronic pain and persistent physical symptoms, developed through many years working in large tertiary and multidisciplinary pain services, including Salford Royal and The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Her clinical work has focused on the psychological assessment and treatment of people living with complex and persistent pain, giving her a nuanced understanding of the interaction between physical symptoms, psychological factors, adjustment and functioning. She has also published research extensively in the field of chronic pain and has presented on the psychological aspects of pain in both clinical and medico-legal contexts. This depth of clinical and academic experience informs her independent medico-legal assessment of complex chronic pain presentations.

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