Centre for Pediatric Pain Research

02/24/2026

The latest episode of the Action on Pain podcast is out!

Featuring a conversation between co-hosts, Jennifer Daly-Cyr, Keith Meldrum, and Virginia McIntyre, and special guest, Dr. Christine Chambers, Episode 21 is about the evolution of children’s pain care in Canada, the creation of Solutions for Kids in Pain, and the importance of translating research into real-world solutions. The episode highlights the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing to improve pain management for children and families.

Links to podcast:
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2znpmesf
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3ywnt8ab
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/m79kap4y

Podcast · Jennifer Daly-Cyr, Keith Meldrum, and Virginia McIntyre · The Action On Pain podcast takes a closer look at the implementation of An Action Plan for Pain in Canada. Launched by Health Canada to address the needs of people living with pain, the plan set out clear goals for improving preve...

02/23/2026

Have you checked out the Action on Pain podcast yet? Tomorrow - Feb 24 - the latest episode will feature a conversation with Dr. Christine Chambers on the evolution of children’s pain care in Canada, the creation of the Solutions for Kids in Pain network, and the importance of translating research into real-world solutions!

✅ Check back here tomorrow for the episode link
✅ Follow Action on Pain (LinkedIn) so you don't miss new episodes
✅ Search for them on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music to listen to all the Action on Pain episodes

02/21/2026

Expecting your first baby in 2026? Just welcomed a newborn?

We’re inviting first-time parents in Nova Scotia to take part in a research study with IWK Health. Participants may receive supportive postpartum text messages during the first 6 weeks after birth — right when things can feel overwhelming.

This study is open to first-time parents who are:
• 28+ weeks pregnant
• OR have delivered within the past week

If that’s you, we’d love to connect
Text “pregnant” (if 28+ weeks) or “birth” (if baby arrived in the last week) to 902-702-6278 to learn more.

If you're not 28 weeks yet but still interested, you can still text us “pregnant” and we can send you a reminder about the study at 28 weeks.

Please feel free to share with someone who might be interested! All parents welcomed.

02/05/2026

Preparing children and youth for blood work can reduce their worries about it. What works best depends on age and temperament.

Did you know that you can request Child Life Support if your child needs help coping with blood collection at the IWK?

IWK care teams use a variety of strategies including sucrose, numbing cream, comfort positions and distraction to reduce the pain children feel during needle procedures.

If your child requires child life support, book your appointment by phone.

Appointment Booking Line: (902) 497-1764
For more information and helpful resources please visit

https://iwkhealth.ca/clinics-programs-services/blood-collection

02/03/2026

“Having practiced at the IWK my entire nursing career, I have witnessed the evolution of how we treat children during potentially painful procedures.” says Jacqueline van Nieuwenhuizen, Clinical Nurse Specialist, on the Pediatric Medical Unit (PMU) at IWK health. “From restraint and ‘getting it over as quickly as possible’ to employing the ‘Comfort Promise.’ When research showed a better, kinder way to care for children—reducing fear, pain, and psychological harm—I was all in.

PMU was the first unit in the hospital to start employing the ‘Comfort Promise.’ As a Pain Champion, van Nieuwenhuizen was able to share experiences with other pain champions, learn from their experiences, and receive regular education on best practice in pain management through talks from researchers and experts in the field.

“Being a pain champion has shown me how we can affect change on a personal, unit and organizational level and change practice for the better,” says van Nieuwenhuizen. “The knowledge I gained in this work translates to practice changes we can make in other areas of our care.”

“Employing the “Comfort Promise” is a very respectful way to treat children and it empowers both the child and their family. Parents and guardians have an important role to play in distracting their children during the procedure and, with guidance from health care providers, they can embrace that role and not feel so helpless.”

“It is heartwarming to see a child who is afraid of a potentially painful procedure, receive the ‘Comfort Promise’ strategies, and have a positive outcome.”

The IWK is committed to doing everything we can to prevent and treat pain through our Comfort Promises. IWK Pain Champions lead the way in using proven pain management methods and help create a culture that prioritizes comfort and care for all ages.

01/22/2026

Have pediatric pain management resources that you love? SKIP wants to hear from YOU!

Help us build a collection of trusted tools, guides, and resources by sharing ones you've found helpful. These may be assessment tools, family-facing guides and handouts, online education and training modules, organizational standards, or other formats - share as many as you'd like!

Take a moment to contribute through our short survey by Jan 31: https://tinyurl.com/mujkxd73

01/21/2026

Have you or your family received care at IWK? Your voice could help shape what comes next.
IWK Health is looking for Patient and Family Partners to help co-create our new Patient and Family Experience Strategy.

If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out: pcc@iwk.nshealth.ca or 902-470-6896

Let’s create something meaningful—together.

12/17/2025

And that’s a wrap for 2025!

It’s been an incredible year of partnership, progress and impact across the SKIP community – made possible by YOU!

Here's SKIP's 2025 Highlights Reel:

✨ We brought you a new way to access SKIP's resources and order printed materials and SKIP swag! Check out the SKIP Resource Commons! https://tinyurl.com/58anrzz3

✨ We engaged with 200+ people and organizations to develop our new strategic plan, which outlines our mission to unite partners and mobilize knowledge to improve children's pain management. https://tinyurl.com/5x9ckesd

✨ We partnered with the Our Kids' Health Network to co-developed culturally and linguistically inclusive children's pain education resources. https://tinyurl.com/y3yh8wt7

✨ We raised awareness for gaps in children's pain management during Canadian Patient Safety Week and National Pain Awareness Week. https://tinyurl.com/3x5zr2uw

✨ We participated in several international engagements, expanding SKIP's global impact!

Thank you to our amazing hubs and network. Let’s carry this momentum into 2026! Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year 🎉

Read more here: https://tinyurl.com/3n973hyp

12/12/2025

SmartParent in Nova Scotia offers people who are pregnant the option of perinatal education being sent directly to their cell phones. The pilot program, available from IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health Public Health, offers text messages from pregnancy and child health experts that guide expectant parents through the transformative weeks of pregnancy and the first year of their child's life.

Parents can enrol in the free service by texting the keyword ‘Baby’ to 12323 or by going to www.smartparent.ca and clicking Enrol Now.

https://iwkhealth.ca/pregnancy/smartparent-prenatal-support-program

12/09/2025

We couldn't be prouder of the work that Patti Douglas is leading to make a difference in the lives of children in the Maritimes with Solutions for Kids in Pain and Maritime Child Health!

✨ Health Standard Implementation Spotlight ✨

This month, our spotlight shines on Clinical Implementation Specialist Patti Douglas and her work with SKIP, Maritime Child Health, and IWK Health. Patti is leading transformative work across the Maritimes, supporting 6 sites (so far!) to embed the Pediatric Pain Management health standard into everyday practice.

Congratulations for driving meaningful improvements in pain management across the Maritimes! 👏

Read the full story in our latest 'In the Loop' newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/bdyybvhs

12/03/2025

✨ Health Standard Implementation Spotlight ✨

This month, our spotlight shines on Clinical Implementation Specialist Patti Douglas and her work with SKIP, Maritime Child Health, and IWK Health. Patti is leading transformative work across the Maritimes, supporting 6 sites (so far!) to embed the Pediatric Pain Management health standard into everyday practice.

Congratulations for driving meaningful improvements in pain management across the Maritimes! 👏

Read the full story in our latest 'In the Loop' newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/bdyybvhs

12/03/2025

December 3 is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This year’s theme is “Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” This is a reminder to the global community that it is impossible to advance social development "without the full inclusion, participation and leadership of persons with disabilities."

Together, we can all celebrate and recognize the value of diversity within our community and organization. As the IWK works towards creating an equitable and accessible environment where people with disabilities are recognized for their knowledge, skills and value, we need to acknowledge accessibility barriers, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.