Painaustralia is Australia’s leading pain advocacy body working to improve the quality of life of people living with pain, their families and carers, and to minimise the social and economic burden of pain on individuals and the community.
Daily Update
Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
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The healthgovau has released a COVID-19 video featuring Alison McMillan, Australia’s Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, who demonstrates how to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for allied health professionals. https://buff.ly/2TCWgXU
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The RACGP, NACCHOAustralia, ANUmedia and LowitjaInstitut have put together recommendations for healthcare workers operating in Aboriginal community controlled health services and other primary care settings during COVID-19
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The RACGP is urging people to avoid new telehealth "pop up" businesses and instead consult with their usual GP. COVID-19 has seen a surge in telehealth services that rely on quick patient turnover. Continuity of care with your usual GP is more important now more than ever.
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Links are emerging between COVID-19 and patients with chronic pain, and immune conditions such as IBD, MS, and psoriasis. Preliminary clinical treatment recommendations for both stable and infected patients are reviewed in this article from PracticalPain https://buff.ly/2yDHDwo
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Safeworkaustralia.gov.au have provided a set of National COVID-19 safe workplace principles. https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces/other-resources/national-covid-19-safe-workplace-principles
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CONSUMER INFO: If you or someone you're caring for is taking blood pressure-lowering medication, here's what you need to know -https://bit.ly/bpcovid19 -https://nps.org.au/covid-19-and-medicines-faqs#i-take-blood-pressure-lowering-medication.-what-does-covid-19-mean-for-me…?
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Painaustralia welcomes the creation of deputy CMO for mental health @healthgovau and the appointment of Ruth Vine to this important role. Big mandate ahead and its great to see that the mental health aspects of COVID-19 will be seriously considered https://buff.ly/2Lpwl1i
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The genie is out of the bottle': telehealth points way for Australia post pandemic https://buff.ly/35Sj4HY
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This pandemic highlights the importance of innovation and trying to provide services in new and more accessible ways to ensure people can still access mental health supports and services how and when they need them during these difficult times." https://buff.ly/3cZVXh9
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Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: An Illustrated Guide - World Health Organisation
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Dramatic falls in the uptake of health care services have fuelled concerns that patients are delaying tests and treatments for fear of COVID-19 infection or facing an overwhelmed health system MJAInsight https://buff.ly/35ybdzl
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“The long term harms, including increased social and health inequality, may well dwarf the death toll of covid-19 itself.” Trust is crucial in lockdown—and beyond bmj_latest https://buff.ly/2Wi2pJB
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'I just spent my entire stimulus payment on a ketamine treatment at a private hospital for chronic pain because the public hospital I get it done at cancelled all elective admissions': life gets harder for vulnerable Australians during coronavirus crisis https://buff.ly/2zpzXO2
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You may have seen information on hydroxychloroquine in the media over the last few days. Our position hasn't changed. Currently, there is no evidence to support the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19. https://bit.ly/npshydrox
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As we continue to navigate the coronavirus pandemic, many hospitals and health services are actually less busy than usual: Managing chronic conditions in the time of coronavirus insightSBS https://buff.ly/2VL8rTV
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The TGA will permit conditional substitution of certain medications to ease serious shortages as a result of unprecedented demand due to COVID-19 https://buff.ly/3bMn6nF
Coronavirus (COVID-19) recent updates
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5 highlights from NPSMedicineWise’s new comprehensive update for health professionals on the use hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 https://ajp.com.au/news/there-are-very-limited-data-to-support-its-use/…
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Coronavirus has created a crisis for primary care doctors and their patients: How the COVID-19 is making health care access problems even worse. Important lessons for everyone as we all come to terms with the full scale of the fallout from the pandemic https://buff.ly/3eRy3Gt
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As case numbers of COVID-19 continue to rise around the world, an increasing number of reports of neurological symptoms are emerging. Some studies report that over a third of patients show neurological symptoms. https://buff.ly/2KCAZZw
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NPSMedicineWise has released new information for health professionals on hydroxychloroquine in the latest addition to their COVID-19 information hub. https://buff.ly/3cQPgxM
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The Aged Care Royal Commission is calling for submissions from the general public and organisations relating to the impact of COVID-19 on the aged care sector. If your pain management needs in aged care have been impacted by the pandemic please contact us. https://buff.ly/2yOIQAu
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Clinical Challenge: Chronic Pain and COVID-19 — Pain patients may be hit harder than others https://buff.ly/2Vv1GVa
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Immunosuppressants and Coronavirus: Here is What You Should Know Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians are advising patients to stay on their immunosuppressant medications. Here’s why. https://buff.ly/2VOnR8Z
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Chronic Pain and Social Despair–Doctors Need to Listen. "similar to our lack of system readiness for COVID19 our complicated and costly healthcare system is not only unprepared to deal with the epidemic of stress in society, it contributes to the problem." https://buff.ly/2ziI52X
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Should a doctor prescribe hydroxychloroquine for family and friends to treat COVID-19? According to an editorial published today by NPSMedicineWise the answer should be 'no', from medical, ethical and possibly even legal perspectives. https://buff.ly/3eI1KcU
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Principles of ethical prescribing for self and others: hydroxychloroquine in the COVID‑19 pandemic published in the Australian Prescriber by NPS Medicinewise https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/principles-of-ethical-prescribing-for-self-and-others-hydroxychloroquine-in-the-covid-19-pandemic
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Dr Jill Newby, Associate Professor of Psychology at the UNSW, shares practical ways for workplaces to cope with COVID-19 related anxiety. https://blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-training/community-and-schools/covid-19-webinars
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IVF and low-risk elective surgery to begin again as National Cabinet ditches coronavirus ban https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-21/coroanvirus-national-cabinet-elective-surgery-ivf-to-resume/12168770?fbclid=IwAR3o4tKWUszptLXxXxgD1mCPxfLlEHniRjfnJNI1lDef15-I3COzZYrNl00
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Australia's elderly will be better supported to avoid medicine-related harm following important changes to Home Medicine Review (HMRs) and Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) programs announced by the Government https://www.psa.org.au/remunerated-medicine-review-follow-ups-now-allowed/
- National Cabinet has released the Management and Operational Plan for COVID-19 for People with Disability which forms part of the national response developed by the Govt for COVID-19 https://buff.ly/3ckrcDg
- New research, published by International Association for the Study of Pain provides guidance for those attempting to rapidly transition to remote care with technology, and discusses the lessons for the future of the pain treatment https://buff.ly/2VygzWA
- Hydroxychloroquine: The drug that many pain patients need and why it’s so important that access continues https://buff.ly/34wtUCO
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Elective surgery cancellations take toll on patients but nurse says ‘it’s not in vain’ https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2020/04/15/elective-surgery-cancellations-coronavirus/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Morning%20News%20-%2020200415
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"There is an urgent need for research to address how mental health consequences for vulnerable groups can be mitigated under pandemic conditions, and on the impact of repeated media consumption and health messaging around COVID-19" The Lancet https://buff.ly/3cneDHq
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“This initial assessment shows that the risks, in particular cardiovascular, associated with these treatments are very present and potentially increased in COVID-19 patients. Almost all of the declarations come from health establishments,” https://buff.ly/2y7x5oi.
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Dr Nick Coatsworth and Prof Michael Kidd, Deputy Chief Medical Officers provide a COVID-19 response update for Allied Health Practitioners https://buff.ly/2JQPmsR
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American Society of Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine has joined multiple American Societies in Endorsing COVID-19 Chronic Pain Best Practice Guidelines https://buff.ly/39SZFaj
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“The chronic use of high dose of opioids is associated with side effects which may increase disease severity of COVID-19. This link is purely speculative, as we were unable to find any published data looking specifically at associations” Dr Andrew Huang provides a rapid response in the BMJ to the risk factors for Opioid use and disease severity of COVID-19 https://buff.ly/3dYCAGB
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Interim arrangements for prescriptions for supply of medicines: Helping you get your medicine if you are confined to your home https://buff.ly/2xUeIU2
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Australian Government Department of Health - COVID-19 infection control training
This 30-minute online training module is for health care workers in all settings. It covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19. -
The RACGP has welcomed moves to allow GPs to send electronic prescriptions. Under the arrangements, patients can get a prescription from their GP directly sent to their pharmacy of choice via email or phone and their medication can be delivered to their door https://www.medianet.com.au/releases/186099/
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NDIS participants to receive priority home delivery from leading supermarkets Stuart Robert MP https://ministers.dss.gov.au/media-releases/5711
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BMJ covers Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and COVID-19 https://buff.ly/349hK2B
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It's Estimated 1 in 4 Coronavirus Carriers Could Be Asymptomatic. Here's What We Know https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-what-we-know-so-far-about-those-who-can-pass-corona-without-symptoms?fbclid=IwAR0ToAo5VPhEVrfp7b2G6W46W_6Qe4f7ze_nN88mgIl6v24vFKrZsvJ4tbw
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'I feel like a sitting duck': how the threat of coronavirus affects our most vulnerable https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/01/i-feel-like-a-sitting-duck-how-the-threat-of-coronavirus-affects-our-most-vulnerable?CMP=soc_567&fbclid=IwAR1TAfLIRjN64Kvbr6o1V3akBZ169O-dRv-0_L1nKiaL86FdH0_u8vS_-NA
- The Centre for Mental Health at Swinburne University is conducting a survey on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of Australians. Click on the link below to participate.
https://swinuw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bvhCPY1OweJQbdz - Sleep supports our immune function and helps us deal with stress. During this uncertain time, making sleep a priority is more than self-care – it's essential. https://theconversation.com/sleep-wont-cure-the-coronavirus-but-it-can-help-our-bodies-fight-it-134674?fbclid=IwAR3TkIBL9ECRfXKQXeLW3DFwq2fBSTJaag-dYVEmQqtrBIPBQnkPUILvQgE
- The TGA warns consumers to be cautious when seeking to purchase products claiming to be home self-tests for COVID-19, either online or through other means. COVID-19 tests are designed to be used under the direction of a health professional. https://www.tga.gov.au/…/warning-consumers-and-advertisers-…
- Can coronavirus spread through food? Can anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen make it worse? Coronavirus claims checked by experts https://buff.ly/2yarnSH
Media Release
Click to view
New AIHW report reveals escalating health impact of chronic pain
07 MAY 2020
The release today of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) report ‘Chronic Pain in Australia’ reinforces the spiraling health, social and economic costs of chronic pain in Australia.
Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett said, “this new data once again shines a light on the growing impact of chronic pain which has resulted in a 67% increase in GP visits in a decade and those living with the condition 5 times as likely to be limited in daily activities.”
The AIHW report finds that 1 in 5 Australians aged 45 and over are living with persistent, ongoing pain, with many facing considerably poor health outcomes. Compared with people without chronic pain, those with chronic pain were 2.6 times as likely to have arthritis, 2.5 times as likely to have mental health problems, 2.5 times as likely to have osteoporosis and 2.4 times as likely to have other long-term health conditions or a long-term injury.
“Australia is facing a pain epidemic. The AIHW report reiterated our findings that pain costs our country a staggering $140 billion dollar every year, yet people living with chronic pain struggle with limited access to treatment and support options resulting n doctors and consumers continuing to rely heavily on prescription opioids to manage what is a multi-faceted, complex condition that needs more sophisticated responses,” Ms. Bennett said.
Despite well-established evidence around the harms, people with chronic pain continue to be primarily sent down the pharmacological intervention path, with more than half (57%) dispensed analgesics, compared with 1 in 5 (21%) people without chronic pain. Alarmingly, people with chronic pain are almost 3 times as likely to be dispensed opioids and other analgesics and migraine medication as those without pain.
“The last few years have seen multiple attempts to reduce opioid related harm, but clearly more needs to be done. We need better awareness among consumers and doctors about pain management treatment options – and we need to ensure those options exist. Where pain medication is prescribed, people living with pain will also benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to their care, such as a physiotherapist, psychologist, occupational therapist or other allied health services” Ms. Bennett said.
Concerningly the AIHW report finds that hospitalisations involving chronic pain involved more procedures: 22% had 5 or more procedures, compared with 8.9% for other hospitalisations. More than half of hospital procedures are for allied health.
“Clearly there are significant barriers for most people to access best practice, multidisciplinary care right now; one is the cost and the other is geographical location with allied health access scarce in regional areas. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that people living with chronic pain do not continue to fall through the cracks of our systems. We need to act fast, and we need to act now,” Ms. Bennett said.
“The Morrison Ministry was the first in the world to fund the development of a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management, currently being considered by the Council of Australian Governments. We must take this crucial step forward towards ensuring that Australia leads the world in implementing best practice strategies to tackle chronic pain, a step that we cannot take soon enough,” Ms. Bennett said.
Media enquiries
Priyanka Rai 0423341017 or media@painaustralia.org.au
AIHW's media release: 1 in 5 Aussies aged 45 and over experience chronic pain
Painaustralia in the news
Community Care Review - 12 May 2020
The Canberra Times - 10 May 2020
New course fills the chronic pain gap (Paywall)
ABC NEWS - 7 May 2020
ABC news ABC News speaks with Carol Bennett about the new AIHW report on chronic pain in Australia (at 31.07 mark)
Mirage NEWS - 7 May 2020
Croakey - 1 May 2020
SBS News - 14 April 2020
The Daily Telegraph-20 March 2020
The Guardian-16 February 2020
Latest Submissions
ENEWS Issue 96
- Natural Therapies review 2019/20 Download the submission
- Senate Inquiry on Current barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia from Painaustralia February 2020 Download the submission
- Submission to RACGP REd Book from Painaustralia February 2020 Download the submission
- Consultation on National Obesity Strategy, submission from Painaustralia December 2019 Download the submission
- Royal Commission into Disability November 2019 Download the submission
- IASP's Proposed New Definition of Pain Released for Comment September 2019 Download the submission
- Submission from Painaustralia to Independent Review of Nursing Education Download the submission
- Proposal for new aged care funding instrument Consultation May 2019 Download the submission
- A message from the CEO
- AIHW Report on Chronic Pain in Australia
- Opioid Regulatory Communications Committee
- COVID-19 Information Hub
- SBS Insight episode on Conquering Chronic Pain
- Painaustralia 2020 Annual General Meeting
- International Collaboration
- Consumer Awareness and Education Project
- Submissions and Policy Updates
- Media
- Guest Article: Opportunities for Primary Health Networks (PHNs) to prevent chronic pain
