Thousands of older Australians with diabetes will no longer have to pay for expensive wound care, thanks to the Albanese Government.
The Albanese Government has launched the Chronic Wounds Consumables Scheme (CWCS), which provides free wound care products to eligible patients aged 65 and over. For First Nations people, the scheme begins from the age of 50.
The program aims to ease the financial burden of chronic wound treatment, which can cost patients up to $4,000 a year for items like bandages, dressings and adhesives.
Minister for Health Mark Butler said the new scheme would help improve the lives of many Australians.
“Chronic wounds are difficult to treat, require long-term care and are debilitating for patients,” he said.
“For too long many Australians living with a chronic wound had to pay more than $4,000 every year for their compression bandages, dressing and adhesives.
“Now these Australians will get the care they need for free thanks to the Albanese Government.
“This new scheme offers a convenient and free service that will benefit the quality of life for thousands of Australians.
“We’ve built this program based on data that shows older Australians with diabetes are the most likely to suffer from chronic wounds.
“Our government is delivering a stronger Medicare, improving wound care and ensuring no one is left to suffer needlessly because of cost.”
The CWCS will support about 20,000 Australians each year. Healthcare professionals can now register eligible patients through an online portal and order products to be delivered directly to the patient’s home or clinic at no cost.
More than 3,500 healthcare professionals have already signed up for the training, with numbers expected to rise.
Wounds Australia CEO Jeff Antcliff said the scheme was a vital step in making wound care more affordable.
“Nearly half a million people in Australia live with chronic wounds. They can be painful, isolating, embarrassing and expensive to treat. The good news is, many wounds can be healed with appropriate treatment – but long-term wound care can be expensive,” he said.
“The Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme is an innovation program that will help a vulnerable group in our society with the cost of their treatment.
“It’s a crucial first step towards helping more Australians living with chronic wounds on a path to healing.
“We acknowledge Minister Butler and the Albanese Government for bringing the Scheme to life and we hope to see it expanded to help even more people in the future.”
