Despite the common misconception that chronic pain primarily afflicts older individuals, a new focus has emerged, shedding light on working-aged women who silently endure this debilitating condition without adequate support. Painaustralia’s CEO, Giulia Jones, has brought attention to this issue, emphasizing the urgent need for recognition and support.
Jones remarked, “These women are not recognized; they are invisible, and we are here to see them acknowledged, respected, and seen by the whole nation, and the politicians of Australia. Women are sick of being ignored by the health system that is meant to be there to support them.”
These remarks follow a recent rally held on the steps of Parliament House, where the Pain Foundation and Painaustralia jointly called for an increased allocation of $70 million in funding to ensure that those living with chronic pain have access to quality healthcare.
Painaustralia is also advocating for a subsidy of 10 allied health visits and 10 psychology appointments per year, achieved through a doubling of funding for GP Management Plans.
Jacqui, a registered nurse with an active and athletic background, found herself unexpectedly grappling with chronic pain after an accident on a boat while preparing for a sailing trip around the world with her husband. Despite her clinical knowledge, Jacqui’s journey led her to the Pain Management Research Centre, where she was diagnosed with Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome.
“The wonderful team diagnosed me straight away, and the next steps were trialing some drugs, but none of them would take away the pain. So that’s when I started the ADAPT program, and they taught me different tools to help manage this pain,” Jacqui explained.
The Pain Foundation, based in New South Wales, is actively involved in funding research programs and initiatives like the Pain Management Research Centre to advance chronic pain management. Painaustralia, of which the Pain Foundation is a founding member, plays a pivotal role in raising awareness about the struggles of chronic pain sufferers.
Liz Rowell, Chairperson of the Pain Foundation, emphasized, “Currently, only 1 out of 100 people living with chronic pain receive multidisciplinary care. While medication has its place, there are many progressive pain management programs which see patients working with GPs and clinicians to help them manage their pain over the longer term.”
Guilia Jones, CEO of Painaustralia, stressed the need for a system that respects and supports those living with chronic pain, particularly women, by providing affordable multidisciplinary pain management to enable them to regain a high-quality life.
“It is clear from the data that the most common person in Australia living with chronic pain is a woman in the peak of her working years,” she said.
Jones also advocated for the implementation of flexible online options for pain care nurses in GP Practices to ensure that treatment plans can be executed and that GPs and pharmacy staff receive ongoing training in chronic pain multidisciplinary management.
According to Jones, the government’s investment of $70 million would not only improve the lives of chronic pain sufferers but also result in savings of $3.7 million in the health system, along with $65 million in reduced absenteeism and $203 million in improved wellbeing outcomes.
Jones concluded, “Once chronic pain begins, whether via an accident, in remission of cancer, or even conditions such as arthritis, it is highly likely that this will be a constant in the life of sufferers, so it is time for the Australian government to recognize the epidemic and provide the necessary support.”
