Submissions and Policy Updates

Painaustralia's input to Natural Therapies Review  

The Natural Therapies Review 2019-20 is an update on the 2015 review to assess the clinical effectiveness of the 16 natural therapies excluded from private health insurance from 1 April 2019.

To provide stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the Natural Therapies Review 2019-20, the Department has published a call for evidence for Tranche 1 natural therapies on the Department’s Consultation Hub. The evidence provided through this process will feed into the evidence evaluations being overseen by the Natural Therapies Working Committee.

Painaustralia highlighted the growing consensus and research base that supports the importance of coordinated interdisciplinary management strategies to address pain, regarded as best practice, as well as strategies to prevent the escalation of acute pain to chronic pain.

We highlight that it is imperative that pain is prioritised through this Review, particularly the gaps in knowledge and practice. This includes understanding the causes and consequences of chronic pain and how some natural therapies may play a role in prevention and minimise its impact. The translation and dissemination of such research is also important to ensure results can translate into health practice and policy, as well as be communicated to consumers.

Our submission can be found here

Supplementary submission to Disability Royal Commission

Painaustralia has provided a supplementary submission to the Disability Royal Commission. As part of the process, we received responses from over 100 consumers with chronic pain highlighting that even the initial process of application to the NDIS, let alone the ongoing complexity of being accepted, has become a source of enormous frustration and fear.

Read our blog here.

Take home Naloxone Workshop

The Take Home Naloxone (THN) pilot has been in operation for almost three months. The pilot is aimed at tackling rising opioid related harm and assisting people who are at risk of an opioid overdose or adverse reaction. It is also available for  carers, friends and family members. The Naloxone pilot is being trialled in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia. 

Painaustralia Policy and Communications Manager, Priyanka Rai and Project Office Gordon Houston participated in the three-month progress report workshop organised by the department of health. It was a chance for the relevant stakeholders to get together and discuss the successes of the program and  evaluate areas where the program can be enhanced. It included representatives from the Commonwealth Department of Health, State Health representatives from NSW, WA and SA, members from Australian Healthcare Associates and representatives from the University of Queensland and the University of New South Wales.

This was a constructive meeting which highlighted the need to advocate the potential benefits (including safety and reduction of harm) of THN while reducing the stigma associated with the medication

Prostheses List Consumer Forum

Painaustralia participated in the Department of Health consultation around the ongoing Prostheses list reforms.  The main purpose of the Prostheses List is to require insurers to pay benefits for specific purpose devices implanted in surgical procedures e.g. hip replacements, pacemakers, stents.

 As part of these reforms, new application pathways have been defined and accompanying application and guidance material is being developed. The workshop focussed on discussing the following questions:

• Do consumers know there is a Prostheses List and if so, how it works?
• What is the value proposition for private health insurance (and the PL)?
• Do consumers believe that there is difference in access to medical devices as between the public and private system?
• If so why do they believe this (what is source of information)?
• Do consumers value “choice” in the private sector and it so what types of choice (e.g. choice of doctor, choice of hospital, timing of procedure)?
• Do consumers attach any importance to there being a choice for them regarding use of a specific device (one brand of hip over another)?
• What aspects of medical device selection is important to consumers?
• What role should consumers have in processes that determine what devices are made available in Australia?

Painaustralia advocated for the importance of ensuring informed decision-making support for consumers, so that they can understand the choices they are presented with and partner in the clinical process.

For more information on the ongoing reforms, click here.

Real Time Prescription Monitoring NSW

Painaustralia participated in a meeting with NSW health and other peak bodies to discuss the implementation of a statewide RTPM system in NSW.  The system is intended to enhance safety and care, reduce medication related harm and save lives.   

Painaustralia (represented by Carol Bennett and Dr Chris Hayes) outlined some of the challenges in achieving effective pain management assessment, treatment and referral and to ensure that the system doesn’t leave consumers without adequate pain treatment and support.  We also noted the importance of informed consumer decision making in the process, so that tapering and alternative treatment options are appropriately explained and consented to.  

APNA’s Chronic Disease Management and Healthy Ageing Program

Painaustralia Clinical Advisor Associate Professor Malcolm Hogg was pleased to participate as a panellist in a webinar on Back Pain organised by the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA). This webinar was the second of a series of four webinars for APNA’s Chronic Disease Management and Healthy Ageing Program, conducted with the aim of increasing primary health care nurses’ knowledge about back pain and pain management.

Pain and back pain were chosen as a webinar topic due to the identified need during the consultation phase of the project. A survey of 756 nurses identified that 75.9% of nurses were ‘not at all’, ‘somewhat’ or ‘moderately’ confident in the topic ‘pain management’. In addition, back pain is listed in AHIW’s top 8 commonly reported chronic diseases.

The one hour facilitated discussion was conducted via webinar and concluded with a 10 minute audience Q&A with panellists.