ACC Needs to Refocus

Press Release Acclaim Otago
22.6.2012

The documents released by Green Party MP Kevin Hague yesterday show case managers have specific targets to achieve. “This is especially concerning if it means that claimants are cut off from receiving justified entitlements when it is not clinically appropriate to do so,” said Dr Denise Powell president of Acclaim Otago.

"There is the potential for such incentives to be twisted and the losers are those injured people who don’t receive appropriate and timely rehabilitation,” she said.

“We are also concerned about a small number of assessors who seem to be used rather extensively by ACC, and often produce reports that go against all previous clinical investigations and diagnoses."

“The pendulum of ACC’s focus needs to swing back towards the real rehabilitation of injured New Zealanders, and away from the “actuarial release” mantra of the last few years” Dr Powell concludes.

ENDS

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