For 50,000+ Australians, getting on in life isn’t as straight forward as it used to be. They deserve to be supported, represented and heard.
A stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows bowel movements to leave the body.
Every day, ostomates (people with a stoma) are challenged by a fundamental change in the way their bodies function.
In Australia, these patients don’t have access to the same products and support as other countries. In the United Kingdom, for example, twice as many products are funded by the Government to meet their unique needs.
We are here to support the patients whose voices often go unheard, and who live in the shadows with their condition.
What can we do to improve the lives of ostomates?
The Government has the opportunity to invest in innovation to help the stoma patient population and support them in leading a life of their choosing. In 2023 the Federal Government commissioned a review of the scheme that funds and distributes stoma products (the Stoma Appliance Scheme, or SAS).
Without additional investment in the SAS, patients will continue to be left behind. This just isn’t acceptable.
The Government has undertaken a 6th review of the Stoma Appliance Scheme. You can access the Health Consult (the agency commissioned by the Department of Health to undertake the recent review) report here:
Of the 10 recommendations made by the agency to the Department of Health, four have been considered by the Stoma Products Assessment Panel (SPAP) and presented to the Health Minister.
The Department is consulting with stakeholders to seek their input on these four recommendations by 6 October 2024. You can access the consultation here:
