This article aims to identify why acute pain services (APS) have developed over the last 12 years in many district general hospitals. Individual units differ slightly, but the philosophy remains the same in that they try to reduce the stress caused by pain in an acute phase whether surgically introduced or non-surgical in nature. It will endeavour to discuss the impact of an effective APS both on patient care as well as developing where the author sees the future role of APS teams.
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