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ME/CFS AUSTRALIA (SA) INC
Registered Charity 698
Mailing address:
GPO Box 383,
Adelaide,
South Australia 5001
Office:
266 Port Road,
Hindmarsh,
South Australia 5007
Ph: (08) 8346 3237
('834 MECFS')
Office Hours:
Wednesdays, 10am-3pm
Support Line:
(Mondays and Thursdays,
10am-3pm)
Ph: (08) 8346 3237
SA country callers:
Ph: 1300 128 339
(local call)
FIBROMYALGIA HELP: Contact Fibromyalgia SA at the Arthritis Foundation of SA 118 Richmond Road, Marleston 5033 Ph: (08) 8379 5711 |
ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc supports the needs of sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and related illnesses. We do this by providing services and information to members.
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Disclaimer
ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc aims to keep members informed of the various research projects, diets, medications, therapies etc. All communication, both verbal and written, is merely to disseminate information and not to make recommendations or directives.
Unless otherwise stated, the views expressed on this Web site are not necessarily the official views of the Society or its Committee and are not simply an endorsement of products or services.
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Response from the Lib’s Dr Andrew Southcott MP
Friday 2 November 2007
Polly Chaser Lynda Brett wrote some time ago to
Dr Andrew Southcott MP (pictured), the Federal member for her electorate of Boothby.
In time an ‘answer’ came back. We say ‘answer’ because it’s a form letter (with minor variations) which anyone who writes in about ME/CFS has been getting for some years.
Lynda is writing back. [Update 5/11/07: Lynda wrote back – click here for her letter]
In time we’ll get real, fresh answers out of the Feds.
This is the letter Lynda received from Dr Andrew Southcott MP:
24 September 2007
Mrs Lynda Brett
[address removed]
Dear Mrs Brett
I write in reference to my letter in which I stated I had made a representation on your behalf to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbott regarding Government's support for sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS).
My letter was referred to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator the Hon Brett Mason for his attention. Please find enclosed a copy of the response from the Minister.
I hope this information is helpful. If I can be of further assistance to you or your family please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Dr Andrew Southcott MP
Federal Member for Boothby
Encl
And this is the letter from Senator the Hon. Brett Mason written to Dr Andrew Southcott MP that was enclosed with the above letter that Lynda received:
14 September 2007
Senator the Hon Brett Mason
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing
Dr Andrew Southcott MP
Member for Boothby
760 Marion Road
MARION SA 5043
Dear Andrew
Thank you for your representation of 10 August 2007 to the Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Tony Abbott MP, on behalf of Mrs Lynda Brett of [address removed] regarding Australian Government assistance for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). As Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister, I am responding on his behalf.
Management of chronic disease is a major focus of the Australian Government and the State and Territory Governments. As an indicator of this. Commonwealth and State and Territory Health Ministers endorsed an integrated National Chronic Disease Strategy in November 2005. This Strategy aims to improve the overall integration and continuity of care for people with chronic conditions by emphasising the importance of primary health care, health promotion and early intervention.
The Australian Government has introduced a number of chronic care initiatives, including chronic disease management items available under Medicare. Since 1 July 2005, Medicare rebates have been available to patients who have a chronic condition, such as ME/CFS, for the preparation of a GP Management Plan. Patients who also have complex care needs are eligible for team-based care using the Team Care Arrangements Medicare items. This service enables a patient's GP to identify and coordinate the health and care services that the patient requires.
For many people with a chronic condition, such as ME/CFS, it is often worthwhile contacting the consumer representative group to find out the support available regionally. In South Australiam ME/CFS Australia (SA) Inc provides information about treatments and provides support for people with ME/CFS and their families. Information about the Society is available on its web site at http://sacfs.asn.au.
The Government has invested in research for ME/CFS through the National Health and Medical Rsearch Council (NHMRC). The NHMRC is the Government's main health and medical research funding body, providing research support through a variety of mechanisms, including support for individual research projects and broad programs of research.
During the period 2005-06, the Government, through NHMRC, provided more than $1.5 million for research into ME/CSF. During 2006-7, Dr Janet Taylor at the University of New South Wales received further NHMRC funding for her research into fatigue in humans.
I trust that this information is of assistance.
Yours sincerely
Brett Mason
Here are scans of the letters:
Click on an image to enlarge:
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