- 50,000 Australian stoma patients are being ignored, unheard, and invisible.
- It has been over 13 years since the government froze product pricing, preventing the introduction of newer, more advanced products in Australia.
- The Federal Government’s own review highlighted the need for an immediate price increase, yet there has been no response or action.
- Australian patients are certainly getting a bum deal!
Melbourne, 17 January:
A new year brings renewed hope for a patient population petitioning their MPs, Senators, and the Minister for Health to advocate for greater government support for the products they rely on to live each day.
50,000 Australians have undergone the trauma and challenges of having a stoma created, often due to bowel cancer, Crohn’s disease, or colitis. These patients live in constant fear of leaks, social isolation, embarrassment, and intimacy issues with their loved ones.
Matthew Dalton, Chair of the Stoma Industry Association, stated:
“Over the coming weeks, the Federal Government must make a crucial decision that will impact the lives of 50,000 Australians in its response to the Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS) Review.”
“This response will reveal how much the Federal Government values the lives of Australians living with a stoma. It is deeply concerning that studies show Australian patients experience a 10% lower quality of life compared to stoma patients globally."
“For as little as $2 extra per day, the Federal Government could vastly improve the lives of Australian patients who rely on the Scheme to live, work, and maintain healthy relationships.”
Despite three years of requests, the government has provided no additional support for stoma patients, even though it recently publicly announced $84 million in additional health funding for 4 other patient groups.
A recently released report revealed that Australia reimburses fewer stoma products under the Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS) than other developed countries. The UK provides 60% more stoma products, and as a percentage of GDP, the UK spends three times more per stoma patient than Australia. Canada spends five times more.
About us:
https://www.stomaindustryassociation.com.au/stoma-campaign
Contact details:
Matt Dalton 0412 059 699
Tim Cook 0428 862 436
