SUMMARYWe describe the development of an innovative, nurse‐led chronic pain clinic in primary care. Benefit of the structured intervention was seen in terms of overall patient pain (as measured by the short form McGill‐Melzack pain scale) with no overall impact on drug costs. A significant proportion (54%) of patients taking non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs were deemed to be at risk of gastropathy and in need of gastroprotection as defined by the clinic protocol. Areas worthy of further study are discussed.