Labor commits $2.1 million to fund arthritis educators

Arthritis Australia welcomes the commitment by the Australian Labor Party, if elected, to provide $2.1 million to fund arthritis educators. The commitment is set out in a letter from the Hon Catherine King, Shadow Minister for Health and Medicare, to Arthritis Australia.

Letter from the Hon Catherine King to Arthritis Australia

In welcoming the commitment, Arthritis Australia CEO, Mr Andrew Mills, said that this funding will help to improve access to community-based information, education and support for children and adults with arthritis.

The funding aligns with the priorities of the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis and would be in addition to funding committed towards the Action Plan by the current government.

‘This funding is a further step forward in realising the vision of the Action Plan of improving quality of life for people with arthritis,’ Mr Mills said.

‘However, with four million people living with some form of arthritis and no cure, there is much more that needs to be done.

‘In particular, there is a need for more community support programs for people with arthritis, better and more affordable arthritis health services and increased investment in research to find better treatments and cures.’

‘We look forward to working with the incoming government after the election, whoever is successful, to take further steps to implement the National Strategic Action Plan for Arthritis.