On Thursday 31 March 2022, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will table its interim report into childhood rheumatic diseases.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 31 March 2022

On Thursday 31 March 2022, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will table its interim report into childhood rheumatic diseases. Childhood rheumatic diseases are inflammatory, autoimmune conditions affecting the joints, eyes and sometimes skin, muscles and internal organs. Children diagnosed with these diseases disproportionately suffer negative health, social, educational and economic health impacts well into adulthood, and are sometimes permanently disabled. The Chair of the Committee, Mr Trent Zimmerman, and Deputy Chair Dr Mike Freelander, believed that due to the timing of the upcoming 2022 Federal election, the Committee needed to produce an interim report to outline preliminary findings and recommendations from its inquiry into childhood rheumatic disease, that was initiated in December 2021. It is hoped this report will lead to changes that will improve the lives of many Australian children and their families living with childhood rheumatic diseases as the case for action is pressing and should not wait until the next Parliament has determined whether to complete a final and full report. The Committee heard that at present too few Australian children with childhood rheumatic disease are receiving the care they need as a result to two main issues – first, the lack of awareness of the disease including early diagnosis, and second, the shortage of paediatric rheumatologists throughout Australia. This results in children not receiving appropriate treatment in a timely manner that may prolong living with a painful and debilitating disease.’ The Committee made a total of 15 recommendations in its report including: Funding to provide training programs to triple the number of paediatric rheumatologists in Australia by 2030 Establishment of multi-disciplinary centres in major capital cities to support the expansion of allied health for paediatric rheumatology, including specialist nursing services. Establishment of a ‘hub and spoke’ model with outreach clinics for rural, regional and remote areas to ensure equitable care can be provided to all children with rheumatic disease in Australia. A comprehensive list of recommendations can be found in the report. The report will be available at the Committee’s website shortly after tabling in the House of Representatives. Media inquiries Brydan Toner 0407 243 981 – Mike Freelander’s office For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.reps@aph.gov.au

On Tuesday 8 March 2022, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold a public hearing into childhood rheumatic diseases in Sydney.

Media release issue date: Monday, 7 March 2022

On Tuesday 8 March 2022, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport will hold a public hearing into childhood rheumatic diseases in Sydney. The Chair of the Committee, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP, said that the Committee has already received valuable evidence on childhood rheumatic diseases and juvenile arthritis from medical professionals, peak bodies and patients from across Australia since launching the inquiry. The Committee will hear further evidence from Arthritis Australia, the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation, the Australia Paediatric Rheumatology Group, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and other peak bodies, as well as medical professionals including Paediatric Rheumatologists from around Australia, and importantly, patients and their families. Mr Zimmerman commented that ‘childhood rheumatic diseases are inflammatory, autoimmune conditions affecting the joints, eyes and sometimes skin, muscles and internal organs. Children diagnosed with these diseases disproportionately suffer negative health, social, educational and economic health impacts well into adulthood. The Committee is interested to hear what more can be done to better support the Australian health system and patients in managing these diseases, and how awareness can be raised of the disease particularly among doctors, health professionals, and teachers.’ Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Ben Ingram 0401 554 097 – Trent Zimmerman’s office For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has commenced an inquiry into childhood rheumatic diseases.

Media release issue date: Friday, 3 December 2021

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport has commenced an inquiry into childhood rheumatic diseases. The Chair of the Committee, Mr Trent Zimmerman MP, said that the Committee looks forward to receiving information on childhood rheumatic diseases and juvenile arthritis. Mr Zimmerman commented that ‘the Committee will examine research into the causes of childhood rheumatic diseases and will focus on the health, social, educational and economic health impacts on children and adults who develop these diseases. The Committee will also look at access to medical services, including diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management and support for all patients. The inquiry will focus on Best Practice quality of care and availability of treatments as well as assessing the professional education and training that is currently available for patients. We’re looking forward to hearing from the public, health professionals, patients and all interested stakeholders on how Australia’s health system could improve the management of rheumatic diseases for all patients and their families. Submissions from interested individuals and organisations are invited by Friday 04 February 2022. The preferred method of receiving submissions is by electronic format lodged online using a My Parliament account. Further information about the Committee’s inquiry, including the full terms of reference and details on how to lodge a submission are available at the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Ben Ingram 0401 554 097 – Trent Zimmerman’s office For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4145 Health.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.