Nebuliser user support seen as post code lottery

Rachael Cox (15) holds a nebuliser while her father, Julian, looks on. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Rachael Cox (15) holds a nebuliser while her father, Julian, looks on. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Rachael Cox has to spend 40 minutes of every day on a nebuliser. Her father, Cystic Fibrosis Otago president Julian Cox, of Dunedin, said that was less than many cystic fibrosis patients, some of whom spend up to three hours a day on a nebuliser.

Nebulisers are used to deliver antibiotics and other medicines as well as saline (to thin mucous). Heavy use means maintenance and part replacement is important - but support for the devices is a post code lottery.

There was no consistency between health boards in respect of what they funded, Mr Cox said.

The organisation's appeal week starts next Monday, and it will hold its giant bubble event at the Dunedin Railway Station this Saturday.

Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand chief executive Belinda Burnett said a new survey showed sufferers in Otago had to pay for more equipment than patients in some other areas.

Julian Cox.
Julian Cox.
''The Cystic Fibrosis New Zealand Equipment Survey has yet to be completed but we have had responses from our Canterbury branch and Otago branch which does indicate a disparity.''

In both areas, the health board did not pay for the nebuliser.

However, in Canterbury, sufferers were provided with accessories for nebulisers, yearly maintenance checks and other airway clearance devices.

The Southern District Health Board provided only some spare nebuliser parts for adults and no maintenance support.

No response was received from the health board to an Otago Daily Times request for comment.

''The inequity of services and support is a major concern to CFNZ.

''As such we are meeting with Pharmac to discuss this issue alongside other issues with accessibility to medicines. ''We want to see all New Zealanders having access to the same funding of medical treatment and devices no matter where they live in New Zealand,'' Ms Burnett said.

Mr Cox said the public in Otago was generous, and the organisation was able to fundraise for the equipment.

However, paying for equipment funded in other parts of the country meant there was less to spend on other things.

The organisation also liked to help patients pay heating bills where necessary.

eileen.goodwin@odt.co.nz

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