Media Release dt 09/04/2024
Ineffective medical care and Over charging
The Australian Patients Association (APA) the peak advocacy group for patients in Australia is calling for the immediate recall and suspension of spinal cord stimulators to protect public safety pending investigation by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
This follows revelations revealed in yesterday’s ABC Four Corners program. Data provided by Private Healthcare Australia revealed that 41% of patients treated with spinal cord stimulator devices required surgical intervention within 3 years.
The CEO of the APA David Clarke has said that “The APA would like to see better tracking of devices implanted, and to restrict who can implement them, to ensure the highest standard of care and treatment for patients requiring these devices.
The four million Australians living with chronic back pain deserve no less.
This ineffective treatment causes not only pain and suffering to patients but has a severe financial impact on them. This clearly warrants a review by TGA.”
The program also revealed rorting and over charging by healthcare professionals.
Mr Clarke said that “The APA has argued for some time that patients should see the medical bills and approve them before they are automatically paid.
There needs to be some checks and balances in the system. With the billions of dollars involved, it can no longer be an honesty system”.
Contact:
Mr David Clarke, Chief Executive Officer at dclarke@patients.org.au Mobile: 0416 156 923
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