Advocacy

As part of its advocacy on behalf of people with persistent pain and efforts to influence Governments, employers, the media and the Australian community generally about the needs of people living with pain, affected individuals and their families, APMA regularly prepares submissions and lobbies Ministers, Governments and Health Departments.

An essential part of APMA's role is to encourage consumer input in decision making at all levels. APMA undertakes consultations either face to face or online or through other means to inform submissions, reports, and other forms of advice, as well as being informed by information obtained through Pain Link, Pain Support Groups and community outreach. These are provided to government and non-government agencies to ensure that the perspectives and experiences of people living with chronic pain inform policy decisions and services that affect them.

The advocacy activities of APMA include:

· Representing consumer perspectives on various State and Federal committees;

· Maintaining a two way communication channel between members, supporters, health professionals and other interested people via mail, e-mail, Facebook, twitter and other communication mediums. This includes our Wellbeing newsletter: Pain Link and regular e-bulletins;

· Undertaking research projects and collaborating with consumers and other consumer groups to identify service needs or gaps, how consumer participation could be increased and what structures need to be in place in the community to improve pain management and support self-management;

· Facilitating and supporting consumer participation and representation; and

· Holding and promoting relevant conferences, seminars and workshops.

APMA submissions

Some of the detailed submissions prepared and lodged in recent years include:

• Improving draft resources prepared by the NHMRC to assist clinicians to discuss CAM medicines with patientsAPMA submision313.33 KB;

• Ensuring persistent pain needs are considered in the development of Medicare LocalsAPMA submission793.59 KB;

• Seeking improved pain services in South AustraliaAPMA letter88 KB;

• Protecting people with persistent pain from unregistered practitionersAPMA submission814.12 KB;

• The Government's administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits SchemeAPMA Senate submission594.21 KB;

• The proposed new Impairment Tables for assessing eligibility to receive Disability Support PensionAPMA Senate submission378.74 KB;

• An additional submission about the DSP Impairment TablesAPMA supp Senate submission360.72 KB;

• The development of guidelines for the Federal Government's Chronic Disease Prevention & Service Improvement Fund. The original DOHA discussion paper is available here;

• The draft WA Chronic Health Conditions Framework & Chronic Conditions Self-management Strategic Framework;

• APMA commentary in relation to a review of the WHO scoping document to inform the Acute Pain GuidelinesAPMA commentary284.05 KB.