This page shows us what’s going on with recognition, treatment and progress in regards to people who suffer with chemical sensitivity in Australia.
Slow Recognition for Australian Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is not yet recognised in Australia, which means there are some people in Australia who have problems accessing appropriate medical care. In 2010 there was a review into MCS and its causes and possible treatments; this was done by the Australian Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), through the Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health (OCSEH), and the Australian Government National Industrial Chemicals Notification Scheme (NICNAS); a report entitled A Scientific Review of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Identifying Key Research Needs has now been published.
Significant gaps in understanding MCS, together with community concerns over the presence of chemicals in the environment have led the Australian Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA), through the Office of Chemical Safety and Environmental Health (OCSEH) and the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), to prepare this scientific review of MCS.
The report also highlights research efforts and further activities that would enhance diagnosis, treatment and better clinical management practices of MCS in Australia.
You can read more about this on this page:
MCS Workplace Information
You can find information relevant to multiple chemical sensitivity in the workplace over here at OH&S Reps @ Work
Queensland Health Position Statement on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
In the past, lobby groups have corresponded with Queensland Health, requesting advice on Queensland Health’s policies and guidelines for people who identify themselves as suffering from MCS. In the event this group of people express their displeasure with the proposed way forward, Queensland Health may again be lobbied to provide this advice.
QUEENSLAND HEALTH’S POSITION
Queensland Health has reached the position that due to the lack of consensus among clinicians in defining and identifying the cause of MCS, and robust evidence that reports the effectiveness of treatments highlighted, Queensland Health will not implement a policy deeming all Queensland Health facilities to be “fragrance-free”.
Queensland Health has developed a process outlining how patients who identify themselves as suffering from MCS will be managed in Queensland Health facilities (Attachment 1). This process is based on the policies from the NHS Bristol (Attachment 2) and the NHS Plymouth (Attachment 3).
Queensland Health will review this policy stance in light of new data that may become available that suggests an evidence-based alternative approach to managing these patients.
You can read more here
Factsheet on MCS from the Australian NSW Government
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a term used to describe a condition presenting as a complex array of symptoms linked to low level exposure to chemicals. This fact sheet provides information on the NSW Health management of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder.