Wounds Australia is supporting the Make Pain Count campaign, joining fellow National Pain Alliance member Chronic Pain Australia in calling for chronic pain to be formally counted across Australia's health system.

More than 5.4 million Australians live with chronic pain, yet it is not consistently acknowledged across Australia's health system. Without national data, governments cannot fully understand its impact, plan services where they are needed most or measure whether care is improving.

The Make Pain Count campaign calls on the Australian Government to make one simple commitment: count chronic pain. Wounds Australia encourages members, healthcare professionals and supporters to support the initiative by signing the petition.

As a member of the National Pain Alliance, Wounds Australia recognises the close relationship between chronic wounds and persistent pain and supports collaborative efforts to strengthen policy and improve person-centred care.

National Pain Week highlights the need for action

University of South Queensland Nursing Professor Daniel Terry and BlueCare Clinical Nurse Michael Shanahan represented Wounds Australia at the official National Pain Week 2026 launch in Brisbane, which was hosted by fellow National Pain Alliance member Chronic Pain Australia.

Prof. Terry said Wounds Australia's participation reflected the important relationship between chronic wounds and pain.

"People living with chronic wounds frequently experience persistent pain that affects healing, mobility and quality of life," Prof. Terry said. "Their pain should count.

"There is growing appreciation of the interconnected nature of these health conditions and increasing recognition of the importance of a multidisciplinary and patient-centred approach to care."

The event marked the release of the 2026 National Pain Report, which draws on responses from more than 6,000 Australians to provide a national snapshot of the physical, emotional, social and economic impacts of chronic pain. The report also highlights ongoing challenges in accessing timely, coordinated and person-centred care.

The launch brought together clinicians, researchers, advocates, industry partners and people with lived experience of chronic pain. Their discussions reinforced the need for collaborative approaches to pain management and greater recognition of chronic pain as a national health priority. People with lived experience remained central throughout the event, ensuring the conversation reflected the realities faced by millions of Australians every day.

Why this matters for wound care

Pain is a common and often persistent challenge for people living with chronic wounds. It can affect mobility, sleep, mental health and quality of life, while also influencing a person's ability to engage with treatment and healing.

Add your voice

Support the Make Pain Count campaign by signing the petition and calling for chronic pain to be formally recognised across Australia's health system.

Sign the Make Pain Count petition: https://c.org/Rvh6cn2XxL