FPM dean writes to the health minister advocating for pain priorities

In June, the FPM Dean wrote to the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler with five key recommendations aimed at addressing critical gaps in the pain care system.
The dean’s letter outlined the urgent and long-standing gaps in pain management care that require reform to deliver measurable improvements in equity, safety, and value in pain care.
The five priorities include:
- Implementing the 2019 MBS review recommendations to support chronic pain care planning.
- Formally recognising chronic pain as a priority under the Strengthening Medicare agenda.
- Investing in sustainable, medically led public hospital pain services, particularly in rural, regional and First Nations communities.
- Supporting a structured, multidisciplinary approach to pain care.
- Developing a rural generalist training pathway to better equip GPs in delivering pain management in underserved areas.
The letter can be accessed from here.
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