The Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (NSW) (CAANSW) will discuss a ground-breaking plan to integrate chiropractic services into NSW Public Hospitals.

The proposal, to be outlined at a seminar in Coffs Harbour on Friday, February 26, promises to cut queues, improve clinical outcomes, increase access to health services and reduce overall health care costs.

CAANSW vice-president Kerein Earney said the seminar would provide details of a submission presented recently to the NSW Health Minister.

The report proposes the trial of chiropractic services into hospital emergency rooms and acute care wards where musculoskeletal injuries are treated.

Ms Earney said patients attending the Coffs Harbour Base Hospital would benefit greatly under the new scheme.

The hospital was identified by the NSW Health Quarterly Hospital Performance Report (October to December, 2009) released this week as one of 13 NSW hospital emergency departments performing below benchmark.

“A health care system where chiropractors operate around-the-clock, in tandem with other specialist healthcare providers, as part of the hospital emergency treatment teams, would dramatically ease pressure on over-stretched emergency departments such as Coffs Harbour Hospital,” Ms Earney said

“The plan is based on the success of similar programs in public hospitals in a number of other countries, including Canada, USA and the UK, which have demonstrated the benefits of an integrated health care model, including reduced waiting times and significant cost-savings."

In Australia, musculoskeletal conditions are the third leading cause of health system expenditure in Australia, costing $4.6 billion in 2000-01, with chronic back pain alone costing $566.9 million.

To improve community access for people who would benefit from chiropractic treatment, the CAANSW will also host a free community event and information session next week.

The event will offer spinal checks, chiropractic advice and a presentation by visiting US-based chiropractic paediatric expert Dr Jeanne Ohm on chiropractic care during pregnancy and infancy.

Dr Ohm will also outline how chiropractors can help ease the financial burden on hospitals like Coffs Harbour, by assisting with natural births and reducing the number of caesarean deliveries and extended hospital stays.

Chiropractic is the world’s largest non-surgical, non-drug prescribing, primary contact health care profession. In Australia, there are more than 4000 registered chiropractors and nearly 200,000 patient visits to chiropractors each week, according to Ms Earney.