BUDGET BOOST FOR SUFFERERS OF PERSISTENT PAIN
The Queensland Government today announced an unprecedented investment to help sufferers of persistent pain in the 2010-11 State Health Budget.
Treasurer Andrew Fraser said the State Government would invest $39.1 million in operational funds over four years for the staged implementation of a hub and spoke persistent pain service network across Queensland.
Queensland Health has been working in close consultation with a committee of stakeholders with expertise and experience in pain medicine to examine models of care for a consistent state-wide approach to persistent pain services.
Building on the existing service at the RBWH dedicated persistent pain treatment pilot sites will be rolled out across the State.
"This investment will reduce the waiting list for Queensland's only dedicated persistent pain treatment service at the RBWH, extend access to specialist interventions across the State and provide sufferers of persistent pain with the best opportunity to live a fulfilling life," Mr Fraser said.
The implementation of a hub and spoke service network throughout Queensland will deliver more than 6,000 occasions of service per year, per hub.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health Paul Lucas said around 576,000 Queenslanders suffer from debilitating persistent pain, with the number expected to increase as the population ages and grows.
"An MBF Foundation report conducted by Access Economics has estimated that chronic pain costs the Australian economy $34 billion per annum," Mr Lucas said.
One in five Australians will suffer persistent pain in their lifetime, with the predominant causes musculoskeletal and connective tissue problems.
Associate Professor Leigh Atkinson AO, National and Queensland Board Member of the Faculty of Pain Medicine in the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, said more than 30 per cent of cancer patients survive their disease, but suffer from chronic pain which prohibits them from returning to home or work.
"This investment into persistent pain services across the State will be a major improvement to these people's lives."
Living with persistent pain can be debilitating and have an enormous impact on people's daily life, working life and education.
Most persistent pain can be managed with medication, education and support in the primary care setting by GPs, private allied health providers, nurses and complementary/alternate therapists.
However for complex cases, treatment is ideally provided in a hospital setting to improve access to a broad range of specialist clinicians.
Secretary for the Australian Pain Management Association Inc. Elizabeth Carrigan said the Bligh Government's investment in a state-wide persistent pain service network will allow rural and regional persistent pain sufferers far greater access to services currently only available in South East Queensland.
"It will also provide GPs in these areas with much needed support in the treatment of their patients that suffer from persistent pain.
"Chronic pain tends to lead to underemployment, unemployment and impoverishment.
"Access to specialist pain treatment and management services will help people back to health and productive life in their communities," Ms Carrigan said.
Mr Lucas said understanding the condition would come when we stop talking about it as a symptom and recognise it as a condition in its own right.
"This $39 million investment will have the dual benefit of better management for Queenslanders who live with persistent pain, as well as assistance with returning to work.
"The Queensland Government is committed to expanding health services across the State and helping Queenslanders who suffer from persistent pain achieve a better quality of life," Mr Lucas said.