GPs uneasy over ACC's changes

An article from the Press by Rebecca Todd

Doctors are concerned about the ACC's new way of dealing with sexual abuse claims, a survey shows.
The ACC changed the way sensitive claims are handled last October, prompting criticism from counsellors and victims.
In April, the Government announced a review of the changes, which require those making claims to have a firm diagnosis showing mental injury caused by sexual abuse. Counsellors are also not permitted to diagnose.
A Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners survey released to The Press yesterday showed many GPs were concerned about the changes.
About 40 per cent of 150 doctors surveyed had used the new system, and 70 per cent of those had concerns. These included delays for patients in getting counselling and lack of clarity on who was qualified to make an assessment.
GPs were also concerned about how much information the ACC now required and problems using the process for children under 17.
The survey results are part of the college's submission to the Government's review.
Christchurch GP and sexual-assault clinician Claire Healy said the new system had made it harder for victims to get help.
Before it was introduced, referring sexual-abuse patients for counselling was "fairly easy", she said.
Now it was difficult, confusing and involved them having to tell their story to several people, she said. This meant many victims just "gave up".
"They've just suffered a huge insult to their self-esteem anyway and are feeling battered," she said. "The idea of going through something even more traumatic is just too much."
Figures released in March showed just 32 sexual-abuse claims for counselling were approved in the first two months of this year, compared with 472 in January and February last year.
ACC general manager of claims Denise Cosgrove said the number had fallen because the corporation had previously been supporting people not covered by the legislation.
"The recent task force on sexual violence recognised that there are gaps in the services available to people who have suffered sexual abuse," she said.
"The changes the ACC brought in last year did not create those gaps, but may have highlighted them."

© 2010 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
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