Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by nerves in the body.
At Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital, we aim to ensure your child is as comfortable as possible after their operation.
A multidisciplinary pain team including anesthetic doctors, ward nurses and doctors, pharmacists and a clinical nurse specialist, will all be involved in controlling your child’s pain
This booklet explains some of the ways in which pain can be prevented or treated while your child is in hospital.
Surgery may result in some pain or discomfort in the post-operative period.
Various types of pain medicine (analgesics) are available to control this. Pain relief will be tailored to your child’s needs so that he or she is comfortable at all stages following surgery.
After a minor operation, simple analgesics such as paracetamol can be very effective in providing pain relief.
Medicines like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen may also be used. After major surgery, Morphine may be prescribed.
There are three main ways medicines can be taken: orally (by mouth) in the form of liquids or tablets; rectally in the form of suppositories; or intravenously – directly into the bloodstream via a cannula which is placed within a vein
Yes, we often do this to provide extra pain relief. Please note medicines must ONLY be given by medical or nursing staff while your child is in hospital.
Your child may need to continue with some pain relief medicine for a short while after they leave the hospital. You may be given a prescription which you can collect from the Hospital Pharmacy before you leave.
If your child experiences continued discomfort despite this medicine, please call the hospital for advice or come back to us.
