Chronic Pain Australia (CPA) and the Australian Pain Management Association (APMA) are pleased to announce their merger, marking a significant milestone in their shared mission to enhance support for individuals living with chronic pain. The newly unified organisation will continue under the name Chronic Pain Australia, preserving vital programs such as the National Pain Survey, National Pain Week, PainLink services, and peer-to-peer Pain Support Groups.
The merger reflects a strategic decision to consolidate efforts and resources, creating a stronger, more effective entity poised to address the diverse needs of the chronic pain community. By combining forces, CPA and APMA aim to establish a true Peak Consumer Body dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals living with chronic pain.
Renee Rankin, retaining her position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the newly merged organisation, brings a wealth of experience and a genuine commitment to serving the chronic pain community. Renee’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment where individuals can connect, share experiences, and influence policy aligns seamlessly with the mission of Chronic Pain Australia.
“I am honoured to lead Chronic Pain Australia at this pivotal moment in our journey,” said Renee Rankin. “By merging CPA and APMA, we are creating a unified platform to amplify the voices of those living with chronic pain, advocate for their needs, and drive positive change in service delivery and the healthcare landscape. Together, we will ensure that individuals with lived experiences remain at the forefront of our efforts, guiding our initiatives and shaping policy decisions.”
The merger represents a commitment to enhancing services, advocacy, and support for individuals affected by chronic pain across Australia. With a collective focus on empowering the community and driving meaningful change, the merged organization is poised to make a profound impact on the lives of those living with chronic pain.
Catherine Harvey, the incoming Chairperson of Chronic Pain Australia, expressed her excitement about the merger, stating, “We firmly believe that by joining forces, we will be better equipped to address the challenges faced by individuals living with chronic pain.”
“By merging, we can eliminate the duplication of efforts and streamline our operations, allowing us to allocate resources more effectively. This will enable us to focus our energies on activities that will have the most significant impact on the chronic pain community.”
“This includes continuing to enhance our delivery of comprehensive and impactful services to our community, such as the PainLink help line and peer-to-peer support groups,” Harvey added.
Incoming Vice Chair Nicolette Ellis, who previously served as the President of Chronic Pain Australia, explains how the merger also underscores Chronic Pain Australia’s commitment to continuing and expanding initiatives such as National Pain Week and the National Pain Survey.
“These national initiatives serve as critical platforms for raising awareness, promoting understanding, and driving positive change in the perception and treatment of chronic pain across Australia” said Ellis.
“We are dedicated to making National Pain Week and the National Pain Survey bigger and better than ever before,” added Ellis. “These initiatives play a vital role in elevating the voices of individuals living with chronic pain, shaping policy, and fostering greater education and support within our communities.”
“As a merged organisation we will also continue to deliver on our strategic intent to ensure that all Australian’s living with chronic pain receive Triple AAA standards of care – Awareness, Accessibility and Affordability.”
“The future is bright and we are grateful for the support of our community as we work towards our shared goal of improving the lives of those living with chronic pain.”
Chronic Pain Australia and APMA invite the entire chronic pain community to join them on this transformative journey. Together, they are dedicated to advocating for improved access to pain management resources, enhancing service delivery, raising awareness, and providing support to individuals living with chronic pain.
To learn more and stay updated, follow Chronic Pain Australia on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChronicPainAustralia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicpainaustralia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chronic-pain-australia/
X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/ChronicPainAust
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Kellie Jade Ellis
Director of Marketing & Communications, Chronic Pain Australia
kellie@chronicpainaustralia.org.au
About Chronic Pain Australia:
Chronic Pain Australia is the national consumer voice for the 3.6 million Australians living with chronic pain. We are a non-profit, non-government, registered organisation founded in 2001. The organisation is driven by a group of committed volunteers advocating to reduce the social and economic barriers to those who live with chronic pain.
About Australian Pain Management Association:
The Australian Pain Management Association Ltd. (APMA) is a health promotion charity providing collective advocacy, information and practical support for people living with chronic (persistent) pain and their families. APMA is the consumer health organisation for all Australians who live with pain.