NSW govt boosts pain management services

18 Jul 2012, 3:24 pm   -   Source: AAP

The NSW government has announced a plan to improve pain management services across NSW.

Damien Thomlinson had his right leg amputated after he was injured in an explosion while serving in Afghanistan.

Thanks to proper pain management on his return to Australia, he was walking on prosthetic legs within six months.

More people will now have access to similar pain treatment, with the NSW government announcing it will pump $26 million into the health system to fund pain management services across the state.

Health minister Jillian Skinner made the announcement at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney on Wednesday, saying it will help develop specialised centres in regional areas, enhance existing services and enable further research.

"Pain is a universal condition of humanity, no one escapes it," she told reporters.

The funding will help people affected by serious injury or disease, such as a fractured spine or cancer.

"It recognises (pain) as an important chronic condition," she said.

The bulk of the funds will be used to train and pay for dedicated medical and nursing staff and establish pain management services at Tamworth, Orange, Port Macquarie and Port Kembla.

A further $620,000 will be spent each year to improve existing services at John Hunter, Royal Prince Alfred, Prince of Wales, Royal North Shore and Westmead hospitals.

Mr Thomlinson, 31, says he suffered a lot of pain after returning from Afghanistan.

"Within three months I had my pain under control enough to walk out to the airport and greet my mates when they got back from overseas," he said.

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