About Wye Sanctuary

Consultant-led pain care with time to understand the person behind the pain

Consultant-led pain care with time to understand the person behind the pain

Consultant-led pain care with time to understand the person behind the pain

Wye Sanctuary was created by Dr Charlotte Small to offer thoughtful, specialist care for people living with persistent pain — combining medical expertise with careful listening, clear explanation and practical support.

What thoughtful care means here

Time to listen

Persistent pain affects every part of life. Appointments are designed to make space for your history, questions and priorities.

Clear options

Treatment choices are explained carefully, including what may help, what may not, and how each option fits your goals.

Joined-up support

Where useful, care can be coordinated with GPs, physiotherapists, talking therapists and other trusted practitioners.

Meet Dr Charlotte Small

Meet Dr Charlotte Small

Consultant in Pain Medicine & Anaesthetics
NHS Consultant • FRCA • PhD

Dr Charlotte Small is a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthetics with a special interest in helping people understand and manage persistent pain. Through Wye Sanctuary, she combines evidence-based medicine with thoughtful, compassionate care, creating personalised treatment plans that support people in living well despite chronic pain.

My motivation

My motivation

I have dedicated my career to caring for people living with pain, first as an anaesthetist and then as a Consultant in Pain Medicine. Throughout that time, one thing has become increasingly clear: many people with persistent pain feel unheard, overwhelmed and unsure where to turn next.


Pain is rarely just about a scan result or a diagnosis. It affects every aspect of life, including sleep, work, relationships, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Too often, people find themselves moving from one appointment to another without anyone taking the time to understand the whole picture or helping them make sense of what they are experiencing.


That is why I created Wye Sanctuary.


I wanted to build a clinic where people have the time to tell their story, where they feel listened to and understood, and where decisions are made together. My aim is to combine the best available evidence with genuine compassion, creating personalised treatment plans that help people regain confidence, improve function and rediscover quality of life.


My work with survivors of childhood sexual abuse through the Flying Child Project has profoundly influenced the way I practise. It has reinforced the importance of recognising how trauma can shape health, pain and the experience of healthcare itself. I am a passionate advocate for accessible healthcare for survivors of trauma and for the delivery of trauma-responsive care, ensuring that every patient feels safe, respected and empowered throughout their journey.

My approach

My approach

I believe that the best pain management begins by understanding the person behind the pain.


Every individual’s experience is unique, and there is rarely a single treatment that provides all the answers. My role is to help patients understand what may be contributing to their pain, explain the options available in clear and honest terms, and work together to develop a treatment plan that reflects their goals, priorities and lifestyle.


I combine careful assessment with evidence-based medical treatments, interventional procedures where appropriate, rehabilitation and self-management strategies. Equally important is recognising the emotional and psychological impact that persistent pain can have, ensuring that care remains compassionate, holistic and centred around the individual rather than simply the diagnosis.


Whether someone is living with longstanding back pain, fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, neuropathic pain or another complex pain condition, my aim is always the same: to listen carefully, provide clarity and develop a personalised plan that helps them move forward with confidence.

Experience

Experience

I am a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthetics with extensive experience caring for people with acute and persistent pain. Alongside Wye Sanctuary, I work as an NHS Consultant, caring for people with a wide range of complex pain conditions while contributing to the development of modern, patient-centred pain services.


Following specialist training in Anaesthesia, I completed advanced specialist training in Pain Medicine, equipping me to assess and manage complex pain conditions using medical, interventional and rehabilitative approaches. My practice combines evidence-based treatments with a holistic philosophy of care, recognising that successful pain management requires an understanding of the whole person, not simply their diagnosis.


I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and hold a PhD in rehabilitation following critical illness and injury. My background also includes service in the Royal Air Force, where I developed a strong commitment to teamwork, resilience and compassionate leadership.


Alongside my clinical work, I support the Flying Child Project, advocating for trauma-responsive care and improved access to healthcare for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This work continues to shape my clinical practice and reinforces my belief that compassionate, psychologically safe healthcare should be available to everyone.

Where we are

How we'll work together

How we’ll work together

Appointments are designed to feel accessible, calm and clear — whether you are attending in person or speaking with Dr Small virtually.

In-person appointments

Face-to-face consultations and procedures take place at Hereford Nuffield Hospital in a calm, welcoming environment designed to give you the time and space to talk through your concerns.

Virtual appointments

Many consultations can take place securely online, allowing you to access specialist care wherever you live in the UK without the need to travel.

What you can expect

What you can expect

Time

Appointments are never rushed.

Clarity

We’ll help you understand what’s happening.

Partnership

We’ll make decisions together.

Continuity

You’ll always know who is looking after your care.

Take the first step

Take the first step

If you’re living with persistent pain, Wye Sanctuary can help you make sense of what’s happening and explore a clear way forward.

Helping people make sense of persistent pain.