Medicines Australia joins forces with 15 healthcare organisations to bring focus to continuity of medical care

It is essential that Australians maintain their health during COVID-19. Medicines Australia is pleased to be one of the founding members of the Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC).

The CCC is an Australian-first national communication collaboration of 15 Peak Bodies, Industry and Healthcare Organisations coming together to stress the importance for people to continue monitoring their health and maintaining their regular medical care.

The group has formed amid mounting concerns that Australians are not maintaining their regular doctor visits for existing chronic conditions and/or putting off seeing their doctor to get a test, investigation, or immunisation due to fears of contracting COVID-19 or burdening the health system.

Medicines Australia Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth de Somer said “This wide-ranging collaboration from all parts of the healthcare system demonstrates that we have concerns that some people are not taking care of their health.

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“Across the board, from GP visits, to pathology, to screening, to acute care presentations, we have seen a significant drop off in Australians taking care of their health. And while this is understandable due to COVID-19, it could lead to long-term health consequences for the patient and the community,” said Ms de Somer.

“A few weeks ago, we identified that laboratory testing had declined by 40% resulting in 60,000 patients not getting their regular pathology or diagnostic testing to manage or diagnose conditions,” said John Crothers, Chair of Pathology Awareness Australia and one of the founders of the CCC. 

Ms de Somer continued “It could mean the difference between an early stage cancer diagnosis, which could be treated relatively easily, to a stage four – at which treatment options become far more limited.

“From a pharmaceutical perspective, medication adherence is important for controlling chronic conditions, treating temporary conditions and overall long-term health and wellbeing.

“By not seeking treatment now, it could also mean that there will be a heavy influx of people needing treatment in a few months’ time, which will place undue burden on the health system precisely when it needs to be managed very carefully,” she said.

The CCC 7 key areas of focus include; (1) Prevention; (2) Chronic Disease Management; (3) Vaccination; (4) Cancer Screening; (5) Adherence to Medicines; (6) Acute Care Management; and (7) Pathology Testing.

The collaboration is expected to remain operational for the next three to six months, with a review on objectives.

Participants of the Continuity of Care Collaboration

• Pathology Awareness Australia

• Australian Diabetes Society

• RACGP

• Medicines Australia

• National Rural Health Alliance

• Consumer Health Forum

• Australian Primary Health Nurses Association

• Heart Foundation

• Allied Health Professions Australia

• Prostrate Cancer Foundation Australia

• Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine

• Jean Hailes Foundation

• Royal College of Pathologist of Australasia

• Australian Patient Association

• Patient Voice Initiative

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