Older Australians with diabetes will save millions of dollars on chronic wound products with the launch of the Chronic Wounds Consumables Scheme (CWCS) thanks to the Australian Government.
The CWCS will provide fully subsidised wound care products for people with diabetes aged 65 and over who do not have access to other wound care schemes.
For First Nations people, who are disproportionately affected by diabetes and chronic wounds, the scheme is available from the age of 50.
Most patients currently pay the full cost, around $4,000 each year, for their wound consumable products, such as bandages, dressings and adhesives.
The program will help around 20,000 Australians a year to access completely free wound care products, no matter where they live.
Eligible healthcare professionals can now enrol patients using an online portal and order wound consumable products to be delivered to a patient's home or sent to themselves at no cost.
Already over 3,500 healthcare professionals have registered to undertake the training and this number is continuing to grow.
The Albanese Government has invested almost $50 million in the scheme as part of its commitment to strengthening Medicare and making health care affordable and accessible for all Australians.
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
"Chronic wounds are difficult to treat, require long-term care and are debilitating for patients.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Wounds Australia CEO Jeff Antcliff:
"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.
"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."
