Back pain
Persistent pain in the lower back, or uncertainty about the next step.
Back pain assessmentConsultant-led private pain care
Private Pain Consultant in Colchester and Ipswich
Dr Shamim Haider
Consultant in Pain Medicine
& Anaesthesia
FFPMRCA · FRCA · MD · MBBS
Private assessment for persistent back, neck, nerve and selected joint pain. A clear plan, with image-guided procedures considered where appropriate.
Oaks Hospital, Colchester · Nuffield Health Ipswich
Private appointments · Self-pay and insured patients
NHS consultant since 2012 · Faculty of Pain Medicine Fellow
Read patient feedbackStart with your symptoms
What is troubling you?
You do not need to choose a procedure before an assessment. These guides explain the common pathways.
Sciatica & leg pain
Pain travelling into a leg, with or without tingling or numbness.
Sciatica and nerve-root painNeck pain
Persistent neck pain and selected neck-related pain patterns.
Neck pain assessmentJoint & nerve pain
Selected knee, peripheral nerve and post-surgical pain problems.
Explore these pathways
About Dr Haider
Meet Dr Shamim Haider
An NHS consultant since 2012 and Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Dr Haider combines clinical practice with national and international teaching, publications and work on professional pain medicine standards.
Professional background, teaching & publications
NHS Consultant since 2012
Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine
Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia background
National and international teaching and professional involvement
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
Assessment first
Understand the problem. Agree the next step.
01
A careful assessment
Review your symptoms, previous treatment and relevant scans, alongside a clinical examination.
02
A clear explanation
Discuss the likely contributors to your pain, any uncertainty and what matters most to you.
03
A balanced plan
Consider medication, rehabilitation and selected procedures, with realistic benefits and limitations.
When a procedure may help
Image-guided injections, nerve blocks and radiofrequency treatments are considered only when they fit the likely pain source and your individual circumstances. Not every patient needs an injection.
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.
Learn about private pain care in ColchesterBook at Oaks Hospital, Colchester
Opens the Oaks Hospital booking page to check appointment options.
Call 01206 987669
Nuffield Health Ipswich
Book private appointments with Dr Haider at Nuffield Health Ipswich.
Learn about private pain care in IpswichBook at Nuffield Health Ipswich
Opens the Nuffield Health booking page to check appointment options.
Call 01473 279100Need help choosing?
Send a brief enquiry if you are unsure about location, payment route or whether an appointment is right for you.
Self-pay and insured patients are welcome. The hospital team confirms fees and any insurer requirements.
Fees, insurance and access information
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 details and hospital addresses
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 IP4 5SW
Private clinics by appointment
Private appointments through this website are currently offered at Oaks Hospital Colchester and Nuffield Health Ipswich.
Planning your visit
The consultation itself usually lasts around 30 minutes. Please arrive a little early and allow 60–90 minutes for the whole hospital visit, including parking, registration, any waiting time and administration before or after your consultation.
What to bring and referral 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.
Patient feedback
Read patient feedback on Dr Haider's own Google practice profiles.
Read more patient feedback
Patient feedback
Patient Feedback
What patients say about their experience
Earlier reviews on hospital Google profiles
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
A referral letter is helpful, but not always essential for self-pay patients. Self-referrals are welcome. A letter from your GP, consultant or another healthcare professional can provide useful medical background and may help with assessment and insurance authorisation.
No. This website is for private appointment enquiries only. It is not used for NHS appointment enquiries, NHS waiting list queries or urgent NHS advice.
Dr Haider is recognised by many major UK private medical insurers, including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Cigna, WPA and Vitality. Please check your policy and obtain any required authorisation before treatment. Self-pay patients are also welcome.
If you have a referral letter, please bring it, along with previous clinic letters, a list of current medications and relevant imaging reports. A referral letter is helpful, but not essential for self-pay patients.
Please use the website form only for brief booking or appointment enquiries. Do not send detailed medical records, imaging reports, referral letters, photographs or urgent clinical information through the form. If further information is needed, the hospital or clinic team can advise on the appropriate route.
New patient appointments are usually around 30 minutes. Follow-up consultations are typically shorter. Complex cases may take longer depending on the clinical situation.
Virtual consultations may be available by arrangement for selected patients. Some pain problems still require a face-to-face assessment or examination, especially if a procedure is being considered.
Appointment availability varies by location and clinical need. The direct hospital booking pages can show current availability, and the enquiry route can be used if you are unsure which location or pathway is most suitable.
You will receive a written report summarising the assessment and suggested next steps. With your consent, updates can be shared with your GP or referring clinician.
Have another question?