HEAT APPLIED TO QLD GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE MEDICAL COOLING REBATE AS TEMPERATURES SOAR - MS Australia launches the Keeping Cool Campaign 
The MS Society of Queensland along with other key not-for-profit organisations has today launched a campaign to introduce a Medical Cooling Electricity Rebate for Queenslanders who suffer the debilitating effects of heat intolerance.
Heat intolerance is a serious medical condition and those who suffer from it typically have another primary condition such as multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury or Parkinson’s disease. A rise in temperatures above 25 – 30 degrees causes severe exacerbations of symptoms and for people with MS this includes extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, pain, tremors, loss of balance, bladder and bowel problems, decreased cognitive function and even paralysis.
Dr Michael Summers is Senior Policy Advisor to MS Australia and is calling on the state government to follow other states to introduce some cool relief for those who suffer from the condition.
“With heat wave temperatures predicted for Queensland this summer, people with heat intolerance will become prisoners of their own homes, forced to stay indoors, running their air conditioners 24/7 to prevent serious illness” said Dr Summers.
“Most of these people are unable to work or have reduced incomes and the cost of keeping cool is a burden they shouldn’t have to face alone. With both temperatures and electricity prices on the rise keeping cool becomes a very expensive necessity for these people.
“Medical Cooling Rebates are in place in Victoria, Western Australia and NSW so it seems essential, that Queensland, the hottest state should be providing assistance for those who are being hit the hardest” he said.
The MS Society of Queensland is proposing that, in accordance with other schemes across Australia the Queensland rebate should be $250-300 per annum. This amount would be deducted from the energy bills of people on low incomes who have a medical certificate stating they suffer from a medical intolerance to heat.
A recent survey conducted by MS Australia found that 90% of people living with MS suffer from heat intolerance. The survey also found that people with MS run their air conditioning units 15 times more than the average Australian.
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Case Study – Rebecca Humphries
Rebecca Humphries, 34 of Brisbane was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2005.
Rebecca lives with her parents in the Brisbane suburb of Kenmore and is hoping to save for her own apartment some time soon. However Rebecca says her daily life is undermined by the symptoms of heat intolerance.
“It’s been really hard to accept that after all of the years of studying I can’t work as a teacher, its just too physical. Heat intolerance is underlying everything. Not only does it mean I can’t have the job I want but it also really affects my social life”.
“I read in the paper about all of these people who are looking forward to Christmas and the silly season and how they are going to get together with their loved ones. It makes me really sad because in summer I am forced to leave Brisbane to escape the heat and so I can’t celebrate with my family like everyone else, its just too hard”.
“The heat just zaps all of my energy and after a couple of hours on a hot day I just pass out. It’s actually really freaky because when I get hot I lose my balance and my eye sight is affected”.
Rebecca is looking forward to the day when she can afford to live on her own and is hoping by this time she will have assistance from the government to run air conditioning – a luxury for some but a necessity for Rebecca.
Last summer Rebecca had an exacerbation of her symptoms and spent most of the festive season in hospital, however Rebecca describes this as a lucky time “It was actually lucky in a lot of ways because it meant that I was able to be in the air conditioning of the hospital for some of the hottest days and nights and that was great”.
Contacts:
Dr Michael Summers
Senior Policy Advisor, MS Australia (Author, The Keeping Cool Survey)
0439 324 098
Rebecca Humphreys is available for interview please contact Kate McEvoy for all enquiries on 0424 649 148 or
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