Media Release
NATIONAL PAIN WEEK – AUSTRALIA NEEDS TO TALK ABOUT PAIN
28 JULY 2022
Giulia Jones is available for comment (print/radio or TV) via 0439 958 298
Australia needs to talk about pain.
Painaustralia, the peak lobby group for the 1 in 5 people suffering from chronic pain, believes Australia needs to have a conversation about pain.
The Chief Executive Officer of Pain Australia, Giulia Jones, says that pain needs to be looked at—not just as something that’s associated with other medical conditions, but a condition IN and OF itself.
“We all think we know what pain is about, but do we?
“The most recent research from around the world indicates that just prescribing medication is not the whole answer, that there is a need for a much more holistic approach.
“There’s much more to proper pain management that just which medicine to prescribe. It is about people reengaging with life, living with pain and moving life forward despite the pain while managing it as well as possible.”
This week experts as part of National Pain Week have been discussing the 4 Ps of pain management:
- Physician care
- Pharmacology
- Psychology and
- Physical movement.
Mrs Jones says we as a community need to start a conversation about how we manage pain, and this week provides the perfect opportunity to start that discussion.
National Pain Week was launched on Monday, by Chronic Pain Australia, with the release of a survey of 1500 people living with chronic pain that found the costs involved in managing pain was so expensive many people had to cut back on food to pay for their medication.
“The survey found more than half of the respondents are paying $200 or more a month to manage their pain and struggle to make ends meet.
“We, as a community, have a problem with pain. One in five Australians are suffering from chronic pain. We all think we know how to manage it, but do we?
People living with long term pain need a personalised mix of physician care, social engagement, psychological uplift, physical movement, and physiotherapy as well as restoration of confidence and hope, this is what multidisciplinary pain care can achieve.
“But to date the broader community does not understand long term pain, and this type of care really needs to be expanded so that everyone in long term pain is able to access and afford the right multidisciplinary pain care.
We can do better in pain management, and we can give 1 in 5 Australians a better experience of life lived with chronic pain.
“So, let’s start this conversation right now”
To kickstart the conversation, please call Giulia Jones on 0439 958 298
PAINAUSTRALIA’S NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Chairman’s Message
I am delighted to present Painaustralia’s Annual Report for 2021 – a
constructive and productive year for the organisation.
As of the 18th of May 2021, I was honoured to take over the role of
Chair of Painaustralia and I would like to extend my thanks to the
previous Chair, Emeritus Professor Ian Chubb for his outstanding
work for Painaustralia during his tenure.
As Chairman, it was particularly gratifying to see the launch
and endorsement of the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain
Management by the Minister for Health, the Hon Greg Hunt, at the
Painaustralia Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Group
event in May. This was indeed a major achievement and milestone
and was the result of years of dedicated work and extensive and
comprehensive consultation led by Painaustralia. However, our
work in this area is certainly not finished, and my focus moving
forward is to see the goals in the National Strategic Action Plan
funded and implemented throughout Australia. We need to continue
our work with the new Federal Government, the governments of the
states and territories and health stakeholders to ensure that more is
done for the 3.4 million Australians who live with chronic pain...
Launch of the Impact of opioid regulatory reforms on people living with chronic pain survey report
This week Painaustralia is publicly releasing its report, Impact of opioid regulatory reforms on people living with chronic pain. The report details the first-hand experiences of consumers since the changes were introduced by the Australian Government in June 2020.
The survey, which spanned an eight-week period from December 2020 until February 2022 attracted over 1,800 respondents.
The main themes that emerged within our report were:
- the lack of access to alternative services available for people with chronic pain, in the absence of medication;
- difficulties in accessing medication; feelings of judgement and stigma;
- decreased quality of life; poorer mental health;
- increased visits to GPs and other health professionals resulting in increased and unwanted costs to consumers; and;
- the need for education and awareness campaigns for consumers and health professionals
Our report findings emphasise the underlying urgent need for alternative support and treatments for consumers and details the significant mental health impacts on chronic pain facing consumers – many of whom are increasingly distraught and uneasy when seeking medication or other options for treatment of their conditions.
As a result of this, we recommend:
- increased support for people living with chronic pain, including the creation of a dedicated helpline to address mental health and provide referrals to alternative pathways and support groups;
- additional funding for new items under the Medicare Benefits Scheme to give greater access to allied health services and group pain management programs;
- continuous and additional education and awareness campaigns to help reduce stigma and provide clear pathways to alternate treatments for consumers and health professionals.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the consumers who took the time to put in a response to our survey. You can read our report here.
Australia is the first country to have a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management
Health Minister Greg Hunt launched Australia's National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management (The Action Plan) at Painaustralia's Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management event on 18 May 2021.
In a world first, the Action Plan will provide real impetus and practical support for the 3.4 million Australians living with chronic pain said Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett.
“The National Strategic Action Plan is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for the millions of Australians who live with chronic pain and every day face the challenges of accessing affordable and specialised pain treatment,” said Ms Bennett.
The Action Plan, which is now endorsed by all Australian governments, provides a pathway to improved pain awareness, support and treatment for people living with chronic pain.
Minister Hunt said the Action Plan was about providing people living with chronic pain a sense of hope and light and a way through.
Key Documents>>
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Keep up to date with the latest from Painaustralia.
Latest Blog View all
1 APRIL 2022
The majority of Australians enjoy good access to healthcare through the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) which provides over 5,700 treatments or items for consumers by doctors and allied health professionals.
Unfortunately, the promise of universal health care for all Australians has gradually crumbled as we move further into the 21st century, with the growing burden of chronic disease eclipsing expectations of more positive health outcomes.
Media releases View all
Australia is the first country to have a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management
n a world-first, Australia now has a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management (The Action Plan) which will provide real impetus and practical support for the 3.4 million Australians living with chronic pain said Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett welcoming today’s launch by Health Minister Greg Hunt.
“The National Strategic Action Plan is a critical step towards improving the quality of life for the millions of Australians who live with chronic pain and every day face the challenges of accessing affordable and specialised pain treatment,” said Ms Bennett.
“We thank Minister Hunt for his support of the Action Plan and launching it at today’s Painaustralia’s Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Group event.
“The Action Plan, which is now endorsed by all Australian governments, provides a pathway to improved pain awareness, support and treatment for people living with chronic pain.
“Hopefully, with the Action Plan now in place and supported by all governments, it will provide the priority that those who live in chronic pain need.”
E-News Issue #112
In this issue:
- A message from the Acting CEO
- Launching of the Impact of opioid regulatory reforms on people living with chronic pain survey report
- New Fact Sheet now available
- You are invited to our Annual General Meeting in May
- Consumer Advisory Group member Leah Dwyer, shares her experiences of tapering off opioids.
- Guest article – Parkinson’s Australia
Latest Submissions
- Submission to the Draft National Preventive Health Strategy Consultation from Painaustralia - April 2021 Download the submission
- Regulation to support Real Time Prescription Monitoring (RTPM) - from Painaustralia - March 2021 Download the submission
- Painaustralia Submission to the 2021-22 Federal Budget - Working together to address chronic pain - January 2021 Download the submission
- Painaustralia Submission to the 2020-21 Federal Budget - Supporting people with pain in these unprecedented times - August 2020 Download the submission
- Painaustralia’s Statement to the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management on medicinal cannabis - Painaustralia November 2020 Download the statement
- FEDERAL BUDGET 2020 - 21 SUMMARY - Painaustralia October 2020 Download the summary
- The Preventive Health Strategy Submission from Painaustralia September 2020 Download the submission
- PAIN AND COVID-2019 - The perfect storm that validates the need to fast track technology advances in pain assessment for vulnerable populations and their families by Dr Jennifer Abbey, AM, Carol Bennett, CEO, Painaustralia and Philip Daffas, CEO, PainChek September 2020 Download the paper
- NICE Chronic Pain Assessment and Management Guidelines to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence London UK from Painaustralia September 2020 Download the submission
LATEST NEWS
ABC Breakfast Radio Canberra with Adam Shirley 23/06/2022
Painaustralia CEO Giulia Jones speaks to Adam Shirley on ABC Breakfast Radio Canberra about long term pain affecting people in the workplace. Listen here.
CBR City News 06/06/2022
Online City News 06/06/2022
Giulia Jones appointed to CEO of Painaustralia
Giulia Jones appointed to CEO of Painaustralia. AFTER announcing her retirement from ACT politics last week, former Canberra Liberals member for Murrumbidgee Giulia Jones has been appointed as CEO of Painaustralia.
NT News 06/06/2022
Painaustralia: Former MLA Giulia Jones appointed CEO
Less than a week after giving her final speech to the ACT Legislative Assembly, former Liberal MLA Giulia Jones has announced her new role as the chief executive of Painaustralia.
Painaustralia is health advocacy organisation that aims to improve the lives of people living with pain.
Mrs Jones said she wanted to “assure people who’ve had their quality of life taken away by the insidious impact of long-term pain” she would “take up your cause with determination and vigour”...
Dare 10/2021
...Carol Bennett, CEO of national advocacy
body Painaustralia, says more
than a million Australians over 65
are living with chronic pain – a rate that
is almost twice as high as the working age
population. “The most important issue is
ensuring people have good knowledge of
pain and how to manage it,” says Carol.
“And not just with medication but how to
manage pain in a holistic way, which is
more effective than just using medication...
Global Accessibility News 30/09/2021
Australia: Alliance Calls for Accessible Product Design.
The Accessible Product Design Alliance has released a statement calling for changes in products and packaging design to assure equal accessibility among consumers, including those with disabling disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).
Composed of 11 nonprofit health consumer organizations in Australia and New Zealand — including MS Australia — the alliance recognizes how difficulties with accessing packaged products can “cause day to day frustration for people without disability, but for those who have a chronic condition or a disability these products and packaging can become impossible,” according to a statement...
Short Black with Sandra Sully 28/09/2021
Sr Mary-Lynne Cochrane, Chair of Painaustralia's Consumer Advisory Group, was featured on the episode of the channel 10 podcast Short Black with Sandra Sully. Mary-Lynne shares her lived experience of chronic pain.

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