Post-Amputation Pain Programme to Become Permanent

From next month, Peke Waihanga will make its post-amputation pain pilot (trialled in 2025) a permanent national service. This follows strong results from the initial six-month trial.

The first of its kind in New Zealand and Australia, the pain programme provides targeted support specifically for amputees. 

The pilot, led by Dr Sheela Perumal, offered face-to-face and telehealth clinics to patients across Aotearoa. During the trial, 56 appointments were completed with 24 patients, achieving a 93% attendance rate – significantly higher than comparable chronic pain clinics. Staff feedback was also positive, with 77% reporting that the pilot helped patients feel more confident in managing their pain. 

CEO Sean Gray says the results highlight the clear need for a specialised service. “Around one third of amputees experience persistent pain. This service has shown real value in helping patients manage pain earlier, more equitably, and in a rehabilitation setting designed specifically for them. It’s an invaluable initiative we are proud to support,” he says. 

The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach. Rehabilitation and prosthetic teams worked closely with Dr Perumal to provide patient-centred, multimodal care. Over 35 hours of team meetings during the pilot ensured coordinated treatment, faster access, and strategies tailored to support daily function and prosthetic use. 

Dr Sheela Perumal has been appointed permanently to lead the national pain clinic. She will continue developing early engagement strategies, refining outcome measures, and strengthening collaboration with external pain services. 

“The pilot showed how transformative a specialised post-amputation pain service can be,” Dr Perumal says. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue developing this programme for our patients and teams.”