Returning to a new normal: Working together to put your health first

Janssen endorses the efforts of both Commonwealth and State Governments and leading healthcare organisations that are urging people to continue monitoring their health, reconnecting with doctors and maintaining regular medical care.

A national survey by the Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC) revealed that, 32% of respondents had delayed or avoided a visit to a general practitioner since COVID-19¹ and 55% felt it was safe to delay regular appointments if their condition had not changed². Worryingly, this may indicate people with existing or undiagnosed chronic conditions may not be accessing the care they need. Continuity of care and patient safety have never been more important, particularly for those who have chronic or complex diseases and conditions, the elderly, and immuno-compromised individuals.

If you have postponed a visit to a healthcare professional, having a pathology test or other important screening or monitoring test, now is the perfect time to reschedule these appointments. It is safe, and important, to utilise Australia’s world-leading healthcare system and visit your doctor.

We’ve included below some helpful and practical resources to support Australians returning to regular healthcare routines and treatment plans. Don’t put your health on hold any longer.

Australia’s leading healthcare organisations joined forces to highlight continuity of care³

In an Australian-first collaboration, 32 Peak Bodies, Industry and Healthcare Organisations came together to form the Continuity of Care Collaboration (CCC) to support Australians to return to normal healthcare routines. The CCC advocates for people to continue with their health management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim is to communicate consistently the importance of looking after your health, whether that is managing a chronic health condition, getting preventative screening or pathology tests, or seeking immediate treatment and care if you have urgent and/or new symptoms.

The #DontWaitMate campaign was established in 2020 to help people, patients and carers in Australia feel safe to continue to prioritise important health care visits.

Learn More.

Additional information

• The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Expert Advice Matters website (https://www.expertadvicematters.com.au/)

• Looking after people with existing health conditions during COVID-19, Media Release, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health, Australian Government (https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-greg-hunt-mp/media/looking-after-people-with-existing-health-conditions-during-covid-19)

• COVID-19 advice for people with chronic health conditions: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-chronic-health-conditions

• COVID-19 and cancer: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/information-about-can...

• COVID-19 and blood cancer: https://www.lymphoma.org.au/support-for-you/covid-19-and-you/

• COVID-19 and Crohn’s disease and colitis: https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/news/coronavirus-covid-19-health-alert/

• COVID-19 and arthritis: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/managing-arthritis/covid19/

• COVID-19 and lung health: https://lungfoundation.com.au/lung-health/protecting-your-lungs/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/what-you-need-to-know/

• My health can't wait. Resources to prioritise healthcare: https://www.jnjmedicaldevices.com/en-AU/my-health-cant-wait

References:

1. Pathology Awareness Australia Limited, 2020, ‘SURVEY SHOWS AUSTRALIANS DELAYED GP APPOINTMENTS AND PATHOLOGY TESTS, BUT PATIENTS STARTING TO RETURN’ (accessed 30/06/2020), https://knowpathology.com.au/2020/06/12/survey-shows-australians-delayed-gp-appointments-and-pathology-tests/

2. Continuity of Care Collaboration by The London Agency, 2020, ‘CONTINUITY OF CARE COLLABORATION CONSUMER SURVEY: ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE DURING COVID-19’ (accessed 30/06/2020), https://knowpathology.com.au/app/uploads/2020/06/London-Agency-KPKH-InfographicFinal.pdf

3. Medicines Australia, 2020, 'Medicines Australia joins forces with 15 healthcare organisations to highlight continuity of care' (accessed 02/07/2020), https://medicinesaustralia.com.au/media-release/medicines-australia-joins-forces-with-15-healthcare-organisations-to-highlight-continuity-of-care/

References for social posts:

1. COVID-19 has been a difficult time for people living with chronic conditions^. Department of Health 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for people with chronic health conditions Accessed 23/03/2021
2. More than 17,000 Australians who are diagnosed with blood cancer such as #leukemia each year. https://www.leukaemia.org.au/disease-information/frequently-asked-questions/   Accessed 23/03/2021
3. Restrictions are lifting and it's the perfect time to reconnect with doctors to discuss treatment plans. National survey of more than 700 Australians conducted by the Continuity of Care Collaboration  https://knowpathology.com.au/app/uploads/2020/06/London-Agency-KPKH-InfographicFinal.pdf   Accessed 23/03/2021

4. Feeling 'puffed', dizzy or frequently tired could be symptoms of various health conditions, including the rare disease, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Australian Lung Foundation Fact Sheet https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/pah-fact-sheet/ Accessed 23/03/2021

5. #Crohns disease affects 1 in every 250 Australians between the ages of 5-40. https://www.crohnsandcolitis.com.au/research/studies-reports  Accessed 23/03/2021

6. Rheumatoid Arthritis affects over 400,000 Aussies. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/contents/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis Accessed 23/03/2021

7. There have been concerns about taking medication during COVID-19. https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/managing-arthritis/covid19/medicines-advice-regarding-covid-19/covid-19-and-advice-for-patients-on-immune-suppressing-medications/ Accessed 23/03/2021