As I woke up this morning at 3.30am, I heard my husband slowly moving around, unable to sleep because of his pain, as he does every morning. I try to sleep but am unable. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a mother. We are a private family only wishing to get on with our lives.
What I have not mentioned previously, is I am also a carer for our 15 year old son who was born with Down Syndrome who we home-school due to anaphylaxis. His caring, sensitive, soul is the best of this world, and we are privileged to have him in our lives. Our son, is who my husband lives for, why he has not given in to the suicidality which is always ready to surface during his most excruciatingly painful moments, where he knows he has nowhere to go for care, understanding or management. It distresses me our son has had to see his father live like this, while I struggle to explain why?
As I reflect on what it means to be a mother and experience our child’s unconditional love (even during our most difficult moments), I can’t help but think of those mothers (and fathers) who have lost their beloved children to suicide because of unmanaged pain, forced tapering or refusal of care by the Tasmanian Government or any other Government.
My thoughts again turn to the Tasmanian suicide statistics released by the Tasmanian Government after investigation by the Tasmanian Coroner. However, it seems the Coroner forgot to ask the most important question-
Was their pain being adequately managed by the Tasmanian Health Service and Pharmaceutical Services Board?
Please have a look for yourself:
Out of 505 Tasmanian deaths to suicide between 2012 and 2018, 233 people or 46% experienced acute, chronic, or cancer pain. Only 10 people or 2% who died were deemed terminally ill.
This is what the Tasmanian Government doesn't want spoken about in the context of pain management provided by the Tasmanian Health Service or their refusal to provide any pain management services in the North and North West of the state despite Doctors, carers and advocates writing and calling out for help for years and years.
In fact, a letter by our former GP advocating for mobile pain services in the NW for patients was not even responded to by Jeremy Rockliff. Questions to Dr Hilton Francis at a NW doctors meeting relating to management of pain patients went unanswered. It seems Dr Francis was ‘not willing to engage’ with doctors trying to help their patients unless it is on their terms.
We do not need disingenuous senior doctors/management and government ministers regarding the suffering and torment of unmanaged pain patients as the Pharmaceutical Services Board “expert advisory panel” pharmacist stated, my husband “CAN EXIST”!
Of course, not all Tasmanian doctors hold these views, we have been apologised to at times, by doctors unable to prescribe pain management in ED for my husband. A nurse actually stated to us both in North West Regional Hospital ED “we are not all like that”. However, they have to work within the regulatory confines of the legislation whether they like it or not. From the number of doctors who return to the mainland after working in Tasmania for some time, it is no surprise they choose not to stay, when they see that policies and procedures will not be acknowledged as needing revision and improvement and their advocacy for "patient-centred care" goes unanswered.
Wishing all Mothers/carers/guardians a wonderful Mothers Day ❤️ 🫂
If I may ask one thing, please pass this petition onto just one more person, as every signature is making a difference. I also want to thank everyone who has already signed and donated to keep this critical issue in peoples thoughts.
Thank you,
Soraya.