STILL SEEKING OUTCOMES AFTER 6TH STOMA APPLIANCE SCHEME SCHEDULE REVIEW:
LOWER QUALITY OF LIFE AND OTHER HEALTH IMPACTS EXPERIENCED BY OSTOMATES
Matt Dalton
Chair, Stoma Industry Association
SEGMENT RELEASE
Filmed in Sydney, New South Wales | December 2024
A stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdomen to remove body waste, such as faeces and urine. Many conditions can require a stoma, including colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, bladder cancer, injury trauma, and congenital defects.
50,000 Australians have undergone the trauma and challenge of having a stoma inserted. Whilst the Australian Government invests in the appliances and products they need through the Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS), this list is dated and doesn’t include as many of the products available in other countries. A new report commissioned by the Stoma Industry Association (SIA) shows Australia lagging countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Spain in supporting ostomates (people with a stoma).
The report found that the Quality of Life (QoL) for Australian ostomates is lower than other developed nations and the general community. The reason for this includes:
- Australia reimburses fewer products on the Stoma Appliance Scheme (SAS). The UK provides 60 per cent more, for example.
- Australian spending as a percentage of GDP is five times smaller than Canada, and three times smaller than the UK.
- There are fewer specialist nurses to support the patient population. According to the Australian Association of Stomal Therapy Nurses, “A Stomal Therapy Nurse (STN) specialises in the management of patients with faecal and urinary diversions. In addition, the STN is an expert in the management of difficult and draining wounds, fistulae, gastrostomies, acute and chronic wounds and associated skin care. In short, STNs can assist with advice and management of any stoma and wound issue, and may also provide continence advice.”
The report also details the daily challenges of Australian ostomates:
- 1 in 5 stoma patients isolate themselves from others
- 65 per cent of patients say their ability to work is negatively impacted
- 3 in 5 patients experience a reduction in intimacy
Stoma appliances and supporting products are subsidised by the Commonwealth funded scheme.
There have been five reviews of the SAS, none of which have been released. The current (sixth) review released earlier this year by the Australian Government.
Australian Health Journal spoke with the Stoma Industry Association Chair, Matt Dalton about the same access to products needed by 50,000 Australian ostomates and the quality of life as patients overseas.
-
Dr Anjali Jaiprakash, Robobiologist from Queensland University of Technology
Dr Anjali Jaiprakash is a robobiologist working at the intersection of medicine, engineering and design, with a transdisciplinary approach to develop medical devices that translate robotic vision into affordable systems that can be used to improve healthcare outcomes. Anjali has experience in the fields of medical robotics, medical device, orthopaedics, trauma, bone and cartilage biology. She spoke with Anne Dao following her talk “The Robot Doctor Will See you Now” at Australian Healthcare Week 2019.
-
Clinical research integrates with GP and Pharmacist workflows to supplement practice revenue
Clinical trials are crucial to the development of evidence-based preventative medicines. In addition, participation in clinical trials can also provide patients with opportunities to access new treatments.
“Clinical trials are at the heart of medical advances which look into new ways to treat, prevent, or detect disease. Volunteers often do so to help contribute to advancing scientific research, knowing that they are participating in the hope of helping future generations,” said Charlotte Bradshaw, CEO and Founder to Evrima Technologies.
-
Dental and oral health care priorities for the elderly
In 2023, there are a number of changes occurring in dental services including the start of a new Senate inquiry and new registered nurses in residential aged care. Yet in the meantime there are gaps and delays in dental and oral health interventions for elderly Australians, unless training is more widely deployed.
Australian Health Journal spoke to Leonie Short, a dental therapist working for Seniors Dental Care Australia on what she considers are dental and oral health priorities for the elderly, based on her work in the aged, home and disability sectors.
