We are still collecting responses from survivors about their experiences with the ACC process in the last 10 months. If you haven't done our survey yet, go to the survivors survey and make your voice heard. The last question in that survey was "comment on your overall experience with the new ACC pathway". This is what people had to say ...Read the rest of this entry at http://gfrerichs.typepad.com/sashui/2010/05/survivors-experience-with-the-new-acc-pathway.html#
09 May 2010
Survivors' experience with the new ACC pathway
A blog entry from SOSA
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Does anyone have the contact information for submissions to the review?? It seems this is not forthcoming and even Lynne Pillay is having issues getting this from the Minister.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I contacted both the College of GPs and College of Psychiatrists and neither of them support the current guidelines and said Nick Smith has misrepresented them.
Dear Lisa
ReplyDeleteI know that you have already seen our media release but I am attaching it again for you to re-read. You will see that while the College has welcomed ACC using evidence-based guidelines, we make no mention of the pathway that they introduced to support the guidelines.
The Minister of ACC referred to our media statement in the House, but any attempt to imply that our statement was anything more than the College supporting the use of an evidence-based approach is unhelpful.
We have welcomed the Minister's recent review and we remain committed to ensuring that all patients, including those who require assistance following sexual abuse, are provided with safe, quality treatment and care that suits their specific needs.
We will continue to work with the College of Psychiatrists and ACC on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Karen Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners
PO Box 10 440
Wellington 6036
Ph 64 4 496 5990
karen.thomas@rnzcgp.org.nz
And from the Chairperson of the RANZ College of Psychiatrists this to me:
Dear Ms Morrison, thank you very much for bringing this to our attention. I received your direct email today, and David also forwarded your correspondence.
The College has not supported the new ACC Pathway – indeed declined to release a press statement in support of this last year. The College has expressed no position on regulating counselling etc – this is an ACC initiative. Indeed psychiatrists cannot work effectively for New Zealanders MH needs without the support of, and collaboration with, our non medical psychotherapist and other colleagues. It is therefore good to be able to address the very issue you raise - that of doctors being seen to be turf protecting. Please be assured this is something we are actively not engaged in.
There is a difference between the independently produced Massey Guidelines for the Treatment of PTSD – commissioned by ACC – and the new ACC Sensitive claims pathway. The two have become muddled I think. The Massey guidelines we have ‘supported’ as an up to date literature review of the evidence based treatments for PTSD. We are concerned by and actively advocating for better rather than more restricted access for New Zealanders to psychotherapies – whether through ACC, General Practice or DHB services.
I have asked Audrey Holmes at the NZ Office to craft a fuller response for you, including our comments to date on the issue of diagnosis. I am very pleased you gave your time to write. We will be responding to what appears to be an inaccurate remark by the Minister in this regard.
Yours Sincerely
Lyndy Matthews
Just to note, I do find the RNZCGP comments a little disingenuous considering the statement they released in November was after the Guidelines were in place and they actually say in their statement:
ReplyDelete"ACC’s new treatment framework is in line with the recommendations of the Massey guidelines for the assessment and treatment of mental injury as a result of sexual assault and sexual abuse."
Talk about a reverse face. But better late than never I guess. Seems Nick Smith has absolutely NO support now for his guidelines.
So it would appear that Dr Smith has in fact been misleading both parliament and the country with his statements?
ReplyDeleteYes, well not only misleading but in the case of the RANZCollege of Psychiatrists.... LYING! They never even released a statement let alone said they supported the new pathway. My only hope is both these Colleges hold the Minister to account for this.
ReplyDeleteI've found the RNZCGP's press release: http://theswampreport.blogspot.com/search/label/RNZCGP
ReplyDeleteYes, I have read it. But the College of GP's is now backtracking. So, I guess better late than never.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/epulse-v12-number-11/
ReplyDeleteI found this. It seems the Colleges met earlier in the year hosted by the New Zealand Medical Council and they were concerned about the implementation of these changes back then. So, it's shameful they have not still sent a strong message to ACC or the Minister before now. We could have avoided this current review all together if they had voiced their opinion sooner.