Juvenile Arthritis
Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: I direct my question without notice to the Minister for Health. Is the Minister aware that an estimated 4,600 Australian children under the age of 16 have juvenile arthritis and that almost 22,000 adults were diagnosed with arthritis in childhood? In particular, is the Minister aware of a recent study conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, which states:
An estimated 1,600 Australian children are disabled as a result of their arthritis, mainly because of chronic or recurrent pain and severe activity limitation. Almost 70 percent of them experience restricted physical activity, and children with arthritis are more likely to have days away from school and days of reduced activity compared with other children.
Will the Minister indicate what specific health programs and services, as well as funding arrangements, will be established to assist and support children with this disabling and debilitating condition of juvenile arthritis?
The Hon. John Della Bosca: The member has canvassed a number of issues in his question, specifically the incidence of arthritis in young people, and has asked for details about specific programs. I will be happy to make those available to him at the earliest convenience.
Deferred answer
The Hon. John Della Bosca: On 30 October 2008, Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes asked me a question in relation to juvenile arthritis. I have the following additional information for him. Children diagnosed with juvenile arthritis can be medically managed through a variety of different professionals, including general practitioners, paediatricians, paediatric orthopaedic specialists and adult rheumatologists. People with arthritis, including juveniles, can access in-patient services and community health services provided through area health services, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Juvenile patients requiring this speciality may be referred to either the Children’s Hospital at Westmead or the Sydney Children’s Hospital where they can access paediatric rheumatology clinics staffed by senior clinicians fully trained to provide paediatric rheumatology services to children and adolescents.
The New South Wales Government also provides direct funding support to Arthritis New South Wales, a non-government organisation, for the provision of various arthritis programs. Arthritis New South Wales works with area health services in the delivery of exercise and education programs for people living with arthritis. Further details on the programs and assistance are available on the Arthritis New South Wales website. New South Wales Health is currently working closely with Arthritis New South Wales in the development of a self-management framework for people with chronic disease to improve their knowledge and management of their health conditions.