Prescription helpline needed for our GPs
01/08/2012
The Independent Member for Frome Geoff Brock and Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent have today called on the Minister for Health to trial a helpline for GPs stuck between a rock and a hard place when prescribing opioid and benzodiazepine medications for patients.
Their call comes on the back of their long term involvement with constituents managing chronic pain and last night’s SBS Insight program exploring pain killer and addiction prescription issues.
“I have been involved in some complex constituent chronic pain cases over the past three years and I continue to be underwhelmed by the Minister and the Department’s response to the people with chronic pain suffering without adequate prescription of pain relief,” says Independent Frome MP, Geoff Brock.”
“In meeting with these constituents and knowing the workload for GPs, it’s clear a more humane approach is needed for those battling with chronic pain every day.
“As discussed on SBS last night, GPs feel they will be labelled and lose their reputation if they prescribe opioid or benzodiazepine medications, yet they can see how critical it is for their patients to go about their daily lives with some dignity and adequate pain management. As a country MP, I know this is certainly an issue in rural and regional South Australia.”
“After discussion with Dignity for Disability MLC, Kelly Vincent, with us both advocating for constituents surviving with chronic pain, we believe there needs to be a trial of a Drugs of Dependence Unit (DDU) administered hotline for GPs to seek timely feedback and support on opioid prescribing for their patients.
“There needs to be a separate management committee of practitioners, experienced in dealing with these problems, and experienced doctors would be vital to answer any such queries,” said Mr Brock.
Ms Vincent raised concerns that there are significant numbers of people on two year long waiting lists to access specialist pain management units in Adelaide.
“With this part of our health system failing people with chronic pain problems, the workload falls to GPs across both metropolitan Adelaide and country SA. These GPs feel unsupported in how they best service their patients while also following the bureaucratic processes set up by the DDU,” says Ms Vincent.
“Both chronic pain sufferers and GPs deserve more from our health system, and a peer-staffed GP helpline trial may go some way to addressing some of the current problems. The Minister for Health needs to stop burying his head in the sand on this issue, and acknowledge all chronic pain patients – not just those that are easy to manage,” said Ms Vincent.
