The Federal Government has been urged to expand access to allied health professionals for people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions to reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
National peak body Arthritis Australia says funding shortfalls for non-surgical care has left with patients with little option but to undergo surgery, placing ‘unprecedented’ strain on hospitals and health budgets.
Following a national summit in Canberra in August, Arthritis Australia called for expanded access to physios, dietitians and allied health professionals for people living with the conditions.
More than 90 consumers, clinicians, researchers and industry leaders from around Australia attended the summit, including The Hospital Research Foundation Group – Arthritis’ program director Sarah Grindlay.
Hip and knee replacements for osteoarthritis have reached a record high, averaging over 370 procedures per day and are projected to more than double by 2030.
More than 7 million Australians live with arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition and is the country’s highest cost disease group at $15 billion a year.
The annual direct healthcare expenditure of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis alone exceeds $5.26 billion.
But research shows that having access to education, exercise therapy and pain management could cut hip and knee replacements by a third and save $1 billion annually.
Chief executive officer Jonathon Smithers said the release of revised clinical care standards for knee osteoarthritis said most patients could improve without having to undergo surgery.
“There’s a significant gap between the Care Standard and what is accessible to people with osteoarthritis under current funding models. Consumers lack affordable access to necessary care and are left with few alternatives to surgery,” he said.
“Hands-on support from allied health professionals for pain management, physical activity, and weight loss is crucial to control the rising number of surgeries.
“If properly funded it will alleviate pressure on the hospital system and most importantly improve people’s health, quality of life and keep many in the workforce and actively contributing.”
four key areas need to be addressed: aligning funding with the latest treatment guidelines, reducing out-of-pocket costs for these treatments, improve staffing levels and fund more research into non-surgical arthritis options
