Acute Pain Service

Wollongong Private Hospital has introduced an Acute Pain Service (APS) for Orthopaedic patients, focusing on optimising pain management after major surgery.

Staffed by specialist Anaesthetists and a designated pain nurse, the hospital’s Acute Pain Service aims to enhance recovery, enabling patients to commence earlier and more comfortably mobilisation and return home sooner.

The service offers advanced pain-relieving techniques, including the insertion of nerve catheters to deliver local anaesthetic directly to the nerve, preventing transmission of pain signals to the brain. This reduces the need for a PCA (pain button) and other strong opiates, minimising side effects such as drowsiness, constipation and nausea and vomiting which can delay recovery.

The Acute Pain Service is available on weekdays to Orthopaedic patients who have been referred by their doctor. If you have any questions about pain relief options at Wollongong Private Hospital, please ask nursing staff during your stay.