Arthritis

Mr FULBROOK (Playford) (15:28): In the context of International Nurses Day I rise to discuss arthritis. While it is an awful condition, hope is out there for those with it. I say this as someone who has had psoriatic arthritis since 2008. While it has presented a lot of pain and difficulty, I am very fortunate to have support from the right places to help manage it.

Last Friday, we recognised the amazing contribution of nurses as part of International Nurses Day. To celebrate their brilliance last year, I delivered cupcakes to nurses within my electorate. Now that I am older and a bit wiser, I wanted to take my level of appreciation a step further. This involved a trip to Arthritis SA with Thomas Stockbridge, who joined me for work experience, from Thomas More College. Together we met Sharon Carr, who along with her colleague Kate Purvis do an exceptional job providing guidance to those living with arthritis.

At the last state election, the then Labor opposition pledged to support Arthritis SA with $400,000 over four years to employ at least one nurse to enhance services for arthritis patients. It is great they now have two, and I could not be prouder that this commitment has been fulfilled. In speaking with Sharon and health educator Ben Trobbiani, the funding goes a long way to providing extra support to people living with the condition across South Australia. While the nurses meet people on a face-to-face basis, they also spend a lot of time on the phone, meaning those living outside Adelaide do not miss out on their invaluable support.

People like me belong to a cohort that is not overly exclusive, with arthritis affecting one in four adults and, unfortunately, 500 children across South Australia. I also understand that, beyond mental health, it is the second biggest condition affecting South Australians. I think anyone with arthritis can draw a link to how a chronic case could lead to adverse mental health, so in many ways the two conditions, unfortunately, go hand in hand.

To those not in the know, there are varying types of arthritis that affect people in different ways. How this is managed depends on the type of arthritis and the person it affects. The good thing is that there are wonderful people out there like Sharon and Kate who can point you in the right direction. In my case, it was sheer persistence, with a lot of trial and error, the occasional miracle cure and lots of going back and forth to various medical practitioners until I finally found out what was wrong with me.

It may seem strange, but I am actually grateful for having psoriatic arthritis, as I often remember how frightened I was during my nine-month journey of discovery, seeking answers to what was wrong with me. There were occasional dark thoughts on what it could have been, so I consider myself to be very lucky, as the eventual referral to my rheumatologist, Dr Barbara True, set me on a path to manage my pain and to by and large lead a good life. We need more people like her, but that is a discussion for another time.

A key point I want to make is that, irrespective of the type of arthritis, there are professionals out there who can help. I often see people who for varying reasons are putting up with the condition, and I want them to know that there is hope. Nurses like Kate and Sharon are fantastic in pointing them in the right direction to learn early, build their skills and explain what works. Getting in the know is as easy as picking up the phone and calling Arthritis SA on 1800 011 041.

I think we can all recall a time when a nurse, or indeed nurses, has made a difference in our lives. International Nurses Day is an opportunity to reflect on this and express our thanks. In my case, this is an opportunity to draw a link to the wonderful work of nurses like Sharon and Kate and reiterate the amazing help on hand for those in need.

Just before I end, it is worth noting that Arthritis SA recently merged with the Hospital Research Foundation Group. I am encouraged by news on how this is further helping arthritis patients. I will finish by wishing the combined team all the very best.