D.F.P.S.

In late 2007 and early 2008 many long term chronic pain sufferers who were treated by Adelaide’s world renowned pain specialist Dr. Ian Buttfield, were left without any treating doctor as a result of Dr. Buttfield’s authority to prescribe opioid pain relief medication being terminated by the SA Government.

Many of these long term chronic pain sufferers, who had been provided with adequate pain relief and led normal productive lives, had their pain relief medication stopped by DASSA (Drug & Alcohol Services SA) or put on methadone treatment regimes which did nothing to assist in the management of their pain.  Many of these people were forced to go to a drug and alcohol clinic as drug addicts and are now unable to go to the doctor of their choice to obtain adequate pain relief medication. These people are no longer able to cope with their pain and now lead a life of misery with dire consequences, such as one patient having his children removed from his care by the SA Government.

As a result of these actions taken by DASSA a number of carers of the long term chronic pain sufferers got together and decided to form the Dignity for Chronic Pain Sufferers (DFPS). I, Greg Betros was elected as Chairperson and Mr. George Seabrook was elected as Secretary.  The DFPS has currently about 80 registered members but we are aware that there are many more long term chronic pain sufferers in the SA Community. It has been estimated that there may be as many as 500 people.
On behalf of the long term chronic pain sufferers I have written to the Minister for Alcohol and Substance Abuse the Hon. Jane Lomax-Smith on several occasions outlining the general plight of the members of DFPS and in some instances giving particular examples of harshly treated members. To date we have not received a formal response to these letters.

The Minister has met with me and our Secretary Mr. George Seabrook on two occasions. As a result of these meetings some of our members have received adequate pain relief medication. The Minister appears to be aware of what she termed a “systemic problem” in the treatment of long term chronic pain sufferers.

However, our members continue to suffer from lack of proper care because of the interference of the Drugs of Dependence Unit of DASSA in the medical treatment of long term chronic pain sufferers. Some of our members are being denied basic medical care because they require pain relief medication. This is a basic violation of every person’s right to adequate medical treatment.

Both the Secretary and myself have been phoned on a number of occasions by long term chronic sufferers or their carers complaining that their treating doctors are too scared to continue to prescribe opioid pain relief medication for fear of being reported to the Medical Board who appear to pass judgement on doctors without proper investigation or the right to present the medical details of their patients.

It has also been brought to our attention that some medical practices in South Australia have now put up signs stating that they will not prescribe opioid pain relief medication and in some instances will not even treat these patients with a medical condition unrelated to their cause of the long term pain.
Some of our members have moved interstate to receive adequate treatment for their medical problems as well as receive adequate pain relief.

Many of our members are treated as drug addicts which is simply not the case.  The problem of the lack of treatment is gradually getting worse in SA. We cannot allow this situation to continue. Our members are human beings who have a right to a dignified life but are being denied their pain relief because the SA Government’s DASSA bureaucracy deems that the opioid medication previously prescribed by their doctor is excessive.

The current objectives of the DFPS are:
1. That all long term chronic pain sufferers be provided with appropriate and adequate pain relief to enable them to lead their life with dignity.

2. That patients suffering long term chronic pain are able to exercise their basic right in selecting their Doctor of choice to manage their pain.

3. That those Doctors gaining the appropriate authority to prescribe high dosage drug relief medication including opioid medication are able to do so without fear of retribution.
G. G. Betros BE, MIEAust, CPEng, FAIPM, Grad Dip Th. Studies
Chairperson
Dignity for Chronic Pain Sufferers

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