The Department of Health has developed a National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management, aimed at providing Australians living with chronic pain with the care and support they need.
The plan recommends eight goals and focusses on reducing the burden of disease and improving the quality of life and care for patients.
In a statement, the Department said the plan would also outline the importance of educating Australians on understanding and managing pain, as well as providing a framework for health practitioners on how to deliver the best treatment and care.
“The plan is a national approach towards supporting chronic pain and has been endorsed by Health Ministers from every State and Territory,” the Department said.
It said a total of $2.5 million had been allocated towards the early implementation of the plan, including $1 million to the University of Sydney Pain Management Research Institute and $500,000 to the Australian New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
A total of $1 million had also been allocated to Painaustralia, which had developed the plan, to support consumer education and awareness for people affected by pain.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said chronic pain affected more than three million Australians, restricting their ability to work and sleep and cost the economy more than $70 billion each year.
“Smoking, physical inactivity, genetics and increased age are all factors that can increase the likelihood of developing chronic pain,” Mr Hunt said.
The 27-page National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management can be accessed at this PS News link.
