Reducing pain and increasing prevention great investment!

22 May 2015

Reducing pain and increasing prevention great investment!

Arthritis New Zealand Chief Executive Sandra Kirby is delighted to see an additional $12 million has been allocated to increasing elective surgery and $11m towards reducing pain and increasing prevention in yesterday’s Budget. She is now looking forward to seeing the details.

“We are grateful that there will be more surgeries available for people who desperately need joint replacements. But all the statistics suggest no government will be able to keep up with the increasing demand for joint replacements. This makes the investment in community based treatment programmes might target people with early osteoarthritis with evidence based self management programmes that should reduce the demand for surgery.”

“Programmes can empower people to maintain their independence and productivity. And this makes them a great investment that will pay tangible rewards. So far there is no detail on what these community based programmes might be. We await with interest the details,” Ms Kirby concluded.

Arthritis New Zealand is the national organisation focussed on raising awareness of the more than 140 different forms of arthritis, advocating for those with the condition, and providing advice and support.

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