Thursday, November 16, 2006

ACTION Atlantic - For People with Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects one in five Canadians. Here in Atlantic Canada, this means almost 500,000 people are suffering. They often can't get the help they need – leaving many in constant, excruciating, dehabilitating pain. Are you one of them?

  • Are you waiting months or years to get medical help from a pain specialist?
  • Are you having trouble getting the medications you need?
  • Are you unable to access proper care that addresses all aspects of your pain?
  • Have your tried everything and still can't find help?

You are not alone. Don't suffer in silence. Share Your Story with fellow pain sufferers. And take action – use our simple interactive tool to write a letter to your MLA or MHA demanding improvements in pain care now!

What is the problem?

  1. Lack of services and treatment options. Depending on where you live you might not be able to get the help you need for Chronic Pain in our region.
  2. Waiting lists for pain clinics and specialized pain doctors in Atlantic Canada are as long as five years. People are suffering needlessly.
  3. Many politicians and members of the public are not aware of this issue and the toll it takes on Atlantic Canadians. Pain is a silent epidemic.

What is the solution?

  1. Provincial governments need to provide more funding and resources to reduce waiting lists for Chronic Pain treatment in Atlantic Canada and improve access to care.
  2. Provincial governments need to establish a special billing fee code in each province that pays doctors a special rate for treating and managing chronic pain. This will encourage better treatment and more specialization and education of doctors in treating Chronic Pain.
  3. Provincial governments, medical schools, patients and healthcare professionals need to work together to create education programs to improve the tools, resources and skills of family doctors and pain patients in Atlantic Canada.
  4. e all need to work together to make chronic pain a key health issue in Atlantic Canada for decision-makers and the public.

http://www.paincantwait.ca/take_action.php

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