Victim's file sent to store owner

An article from the Whakatane Beacon

An Eastern Bay sexual abuse victim is hiding in her home after ACC sent her patient file to a Matata dairy owner.
The woman, known as “Rachel”, said since the incident her home had been graffiti-ed, a job interview had been cancelled and she had been told she was the subject of rumours in the community.
The Privacy Commissioner’s office is investigating how ACC came to incorrectly address the package, resulting in the blunder.
Rachel’s advocate David Wadsworth said a confidential compensation settlement from ACC for the privacy breach was in the works. Both he and Rachel declined to comment further on the settlement.
ACC minister Nick Smith told Sunday Star-Times he was not aware of the case until Saturday, but any breach of ACC’s confidentiality requirements was unacceptable.
Rachel has been battling with ACC since January for compensation for a mental injury caused by sexual abuse she suffered as a child and again as an adult.
She applied to ACC’s sensitive claims unit to receive a copy of her file last month, and was asked to provide an address earlier this month.
She emailed back with clear instructions that the courier package was to be labelled with her name and address and sent via the Matata Superfoods dairy.
Rachel said she and other rural residents not registered with rural mail had been receiving their post in this manner for years without any adverse events.
However, a blunder at ACC’s mailing centre meant Rachel’s name was left off and the package was addressed only to the store.
The file contained hundreds of pages of case notes and confidential medical and health information.
Store owner Supinder Mann said he opened the package because it was addressed to his business, but did not read it or show it to anyone before giving it to the woman’s husband when he worked out the intended recipient.
Rachel said she did not blame Mr Mann for opening the package.
She said she had asked ACC to notify her when the package was sent and provide her with a tracking number, but had received no reply.
The first she knew of its arrival was when a stranger arrived at her home and told her that intimate details of her troubled past and her family were the “talk of the town”.
Since then it had been like being caught in a game of Chinese whispers, she said, with her story becoming more and more fabricated as it was passed from person to person.
She and her husband had arrived home one evening last week to find words including “rapist” and “freak” graffiti-ed on their home.
Many other people, however, had contacted her with messages of sympathy and support, she said.
Rachel said the incident was just another in a string of ACC delays and mistakes that were making her life “hell”.
In January, the Beacon reported leaked internal ACC emails showing Rachel might be refused funding because her mental injury pre-dated the introduction of ACC.
Six months on, Mr Wadsworth said ACC had accepted Rachel’s compensation claim, but continued delays meant she would likely not be assessed for whatever entitlement she qualified for until August – at the earliest.
This was because one of the two psychiatrists who would review her file was on holiday until August, and the other was unwilling to assess it alone.

© 2010 Whakatane Beacon
http://www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz/cms/news/2010/07/art10007560.php

Ashburn staff laid off

An article from the Otago Daily Times by Eileen Goodwin

Involuntary redundancies at Dunedin's Ashburn Clinic have been lower than expected, with only two full-time staff forced to take redundancy among the staff laid off, says clinic business manager Lindsay Smith.
Last month, Ashburn, the country's oldest private psychiatric hospital, announced it had to drop 9.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff to cope with a $900,000 funding shortfall.
It has also mothballed a hostel for self-sufficient patients - Alexander House - to save heating costs during winter.
Mr Smith said the staff cuts were managed mostly through voluntary redundancies or staff agreeing to fewer hours.
On top of two involuntary redundancies, one worker had been unwilling to take a 0.5FTE role, and was "snapped up by Cadbury's".
Mr Smith's own position reduces from full-time to 0.5FTE.
As well as that, kitchen staff reduce 1FTE, psychiatric staff 0.7FTE, psychotherapy 1FTE, office staff 1FTE and nurses 5.5FTE.
"It has been distressing for staff to see long-time work colleagues going, and to see Alexander House shut."
Ashburn, established in 1882, had never had to cut staff before, he said.
Staff were already being farewelled, almost on a daily basis.
Ashburn had to move quickly once it realised the seriousness of its financial position.
The patients were "coping brilliantly" with the changes, which included combining two inpatient wards in order to temporarily close Alexander House.
Ashburn's "therapeutic community" meant patients were included in the change process, he said.
During the past five years, ACC funding for sexual-abuse inpatients dropped from $2 million to $900,000 in 2009-10, with referrals now non-existent.
The clinic has also lost a $500,000 five-bed eating-disorder contract with the Ministry of Health, although earlier this month it picked up a more modest outreach eating-disorder contract from the Southern District Health Board.
Ashburn has also been hit by the recession, with private patients opting for shorter stays.

© Allied Press Limited 2010
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/117930/ashburn-staff-laid

ACC blunder puts sex abuse file in wrong hands

An article from the Sunday Star Times by Jonathan Marshall

ACC has launched an inquiry and offered to pay a sexual abuse victim $10,000 after accidentally sending her patient file to her local superette – where it was opened by the shop's owner.
The Eastern Bay of Plenty woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, applied to receive a copy of her Accident Compensation Corporation file last month.
The file, managed by ACC's sensitive claims unit, contained an estimated 250 pages of psychological reports and case notes.
Because the woman lives in a rural location, mail is sent to a local superette for recipients to collect.
But when ACC sent the courier package to Matata Superfoods near Whakatane last week it did not write the woman's name on the package, addressing it only to the store.
Matata Superfoods owner Supinder Mann said he opened the "fat package" because it was addressed to his business, not an individual. Mann said he did not read the file or show it to anyone but gave it to the victim's husband when he worked out the intended recipient.
The woman declined requests to talk about the mix-up or any details of a possible settlement, but the Sunday Star-Times has been told by sources within ACC that meetings were held within the corporation last week to determine how the confidential package ended up in the wrong hands.
The privacy commissioner has also become involved, and, it is understood, has been working on the woman's behalf to negotiate a settlement package.
Investigator Dawn Swan confirmed the commissioner's involvement but said she could not comment.
However, it is understood the package will include a $10,000 cash payment to the woman, relocation fees so she and her husband can move out of the rural community, and a face-to-face apology.
An independent investigator is also likely to be appointed by ACC to examine the case.
It is expected that the settlement package agreement will contain a confidentiality clause, meaning that the woman cannot talk to the media about the blunder.
On Friday, ACC media and public relations lead adviser Laurie Edwards confirmed the investigation had been launched, but cautioned anyone quick to blame the corporation.
"Sometimes, and it's not really an excuse, it won't have been us that made the mistake," he said.
"We do around 30,000 to 40,000 letters a day and use an external mail house to process them. It may have been an error there.
"I'm not trying to make an excuse. We do accept responsibility for what they do."
Edwards ignored questions around the financial settlement.
ACC Minister Nick Smith last night said the corporation had not briefed him on the case – or the $10,000 payout – and he would meet officials tomorrow.
"Any breach of ACC's confidentiality requirements is unacceptable.
"It is inevitable in a large organisation like ACC, which deals with 1.6 million claims each year, that there will be mistakes," Smith said.
The minister said he would expect the privacy commissioner to investigate "not just the breach, but also whether there has been any system failure at ACC that needs to be addressed".
The misdirected patient file is not the first problem the woman, who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her father in the 1980s, has experienced with ACC.
In April the Star-Times revealed details of internal ACC emails that labelled the woman a "mental health nutter" and someone who should consider taking her own life.
A senior staff member from the sensitive claims unit was relocated.

© 2010 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3955167/ACC-blunder-puts-sex-abuse-file-in-wrong-hands

Sex abuse victims 'not getting help from ACC'

An article from the Southland Times by Ceana Priest

Invercargill sexual abuse victims are not getting the help they need and now the area is at risk of losing a counsellor following changes to the ACC sensitive claims process, counsellors said.
Southland-Otago Catholic Social Services director Ian Donnelly said there had been a substantial drop in referrals since the changes were implemented last year. "Referrals for our Invercargill counsellor are down and it means women who need counselling are not getting it."
Their Invercargill counsellor worked two days each week and client numbers reduced from 16 in July last year to four in April.
Mr Donnelly said two-thirds of their clients were ACC referrals. "We now have difficulties in supporting our counsellors, the funding being paid to our counsellors is reduced. There is a risk of losing a counsellor but the worst part is people aren't getting the help they need."
Implemented in October, the clinical framework for the ACC Sensitive Claims Unit changed the way people are funded for counselling of sexual abuse.
Previously, ACC funded four sessions for counsellors to discuss clients' history and send their recommendations to ACC. Now one session is funded before the victim is referred to a specialist for a mental health diagnosis.
The new framework is under review after it was opposed by organisations including the New Zealand Psychological Society, NZ College of Clinical Psychologists and Mental Health Foundation.
ACC Minister Nick Smith announced an independent review in April and expected the group to report back this month.
His press secretary, Simon Beattie, said: "The minister appreciates concerns about the way ACC have handled sensitive claims and that is why he set up the review."
Counsellor and social worker Marion Bottle, of Invercargill, said the process intimidated people seeking help. "For most people, coming to see a counsellor is a traumatic process and it can take many years to get up the courage.
"After the first session they might not get to see that counsellor again and there is no time to build rapport or condense their history into one hour.
"Many come for an individual session then won't come back because the process is too intimidating. Some might end up in the mental health services, no-one can tell exactly what will happen to them."
Her ACC counselling hours reduced from 61 in July last year to 27 in June. "My clients were 70 per cent from ACC but now only 10 or 15 per cent. Counsellors' jobs are at risk."
An ACC media liaison officer refused to comment while the framework was being reviewed.

Copyright Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2010
http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/southland-times-the/mi_8058/is_20100719/abuse-victims-acc/ai_n54516922/

Survivor satire

A comment from the SOSA blog by Vee

Wow, ACC gets to have a 10 year recovery journey and we get to fund it - rather ironic isn't it.
I was thinking about how we should be showing our solidarity by 'coming out' as survivors and getting some badges made up and wearing them - to support each other but also to have the message about what ACC is doing more in people's faces.
Anyway, having the rather warped sense of humour that I do, I came up with the following and thought I would share as someone might get a smile out of what is such a crap situation. They are very scarcastic and so I apologise in advance if anyone finds them offensive!
Here goes:
"Not only did I survive sexual trauma but I survived ACC's new 'clinical pathway' too."
OR
"My mental injury is PTSD. What's yours?"
OR
"I'm mentally injured. What's ACC's excuse?"
OR
"I wish I could pick and choose which bills I got to pay like ACC gets to pick and choose which DSM IV illnesses they get to fund."
OK and last but not least
"I'm doubly lucky because I got fucked by ACC and a child molester."
Can anyone else think of any?

http://gfrerichs.typepad.com/sashui/2010/07/acc-forecasts-surplus-of-22-billion.html?cid=6a00e54ef0a44688330133f256265d970b#comment-6a00e54ef0a44688330133f256265d970b

Ideology of denial

A blog entry by Kyle MacDonald

Recently I was asked if my quote in this Herald article meant that I thought that ACC were deliberately looking for ways to decline claims, a contentious assertion to be sure. I don’t think that, and I said so. Such a crude and simplistic explanation clearly makes little sense. I harbour no ideas that the day to day workers in ACC have any cruel or malevolent intent, mostly I’m sure they are following orders and doing as much as they can within the limits imposed upon them. What interests me is what do the architects of this new aproach think to enable them to act in the ways they have over the last twelve months?

Click here to read more.

Mental health funds slashed by more than $20 million

A press release from the Labour Party by Ruth Dyson

Community and public mental health programmes have had their funding cut by more than $20 million, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.
“Budget papers released last week revealed a $4 million cut to mental health training, $4.2 to Like Minds-Like Mine and $5 million to mental health research. A further $6 million in health promotion around mental health issues was cut, $1 million in alcohol and drugs programmes, $200,000 in mental health advice, $1.2 million to not apply the future funding track for anticipated demographic rises; all these cuts totalling $21.6 million,” Ruth Dyson said.
“This comes on top of cuts of $4.2 million last year to Mental Health Blueprint funding and does not include the $600,000 cut in mental health funding at Nelson Marlborough DHB, or the partial closure of Ashburn Hall and the loss of 10 staff and their 5 eating disorder treatment beds.
“Money simply should not be removed from community or public mental health services.
“The Budget documents released last week show that the National Government does not view community or public health initiatives as a priority.
“It’s fairly obvious that cuts in these programmes are being used to fund the new $6 million in set-up costs for the National Health Board and the more than $40 million needed over the next four years to pay for patients dumped by ACC onto public hospital services.
“Health Minister Tony Ryall can claim all he wants that cuts to programmes like mental health training are going back into frontline services, or there is some kind of health ‘switch’, but it simply isn’t true and the public knows that. Under National there have been more than 80 cuts to patient services, and budget documents reveal that the number of cuts will continue to increase.
“It's clear that the National Government doesn’t value community or public health initiatives and the health of New Zealanders will suffer as a result,” Ruth Dyson said.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1007/S00202.htm

Mental health funding – more than ever before

A press release from the National Government by Tony Ryall

"The Government continues to invest strongly in mental health with an extra $174 million over the next four years," Health Minister Tony Ryall says. "We are spending more on mental health than the previous Government ever did."
"Savings in the 2010 Budget account for less than half of one percent of the $1.2 billion the Government spends on mental health each year."
"We have made savings from contracts that finished, from contracts where there was not sufficient uptake and from uncommitted money that has gone back into the health pot. None of these savings pose any risk to frontline services."
"This is all in the context of Labour quietly cutting more than $100 million from the health budget in the weeks leading up to the 2008 election."
"Several new and exciting mental health initiatives will be announced shortly. These are in addition to new initiatives announced last year such as $26 million for eating disorder services."
"The bottom line is that we are spending more on mental health services and providing more services to the public than ever before."

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1007/S00208.htm

Concerns about ACC heard by a review committee

A news report from Te Karere




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCOVbxYZTk8

ACYA submission on ACC

ACYA (Action for Children & Youth Aotearoa) made a submission to the Independent Clinical Review of the Sensitive Claims Clinical Pathway. The submission is available here (doc) or here (html).

Questions for written answer

16340 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many letters, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received 159 letters raising concerns about the Clinical Pathway or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/d/2/QWA_16340_2010-16340-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16341 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many emails, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received 85 emails raising concerns about the Clinical Pathway or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/8/c/QWA_16341_2010-16341-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16342 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What correspondence, if any, has the Minister received raising concerns about Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have received 247 items of correspondence raising concerns about the Clinical Pathway or the Sensitive Claims Unit, including a web-based petition.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/1/8/QWA_16342_2010-16342-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16343 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What briefings, if any, has the Minister received in regard to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table which shows the briefings which I have received regarding the Sensitive Claims Pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/c/f/QWA_16343_2010-16343-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16344 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What meetings, if any, has the Minister had regarding to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 April 2010, by date?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have had three specific meetings on the Sensitive Claims Pathway. The first was a briefing for MPs on 28 October 2009 which the member attended - although the member was asked to leave after she was abusive to Dr Peter Jansen. The other two meetings were with the Independent Clinical Review Team to discuss progress on their report. The first meeting was an introduction; the second was a progress report. The issue of sensitive claims has been discussed at a number of weekly status meetings.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/b/8/QWA_16344_2010-16344-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16345 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What papers, if any, has the Minister taken to Cabinet in regard to the Sensitive Claims pathway and/or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 April 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have taken no papers to Cabinet regarding Sensitive Claims/Sensitive Claims Pathway or the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 April 2010 as the matter was an operational matter in which I have had no direct decision making other than, recognising community concern, initiating an independent clinical review.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/d/b/QWA_16345_2010-16345-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16346 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, oral reports relating to Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Pathway did he receive since 1 April 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: This issue has been discussed with officials at various meetings since 1 April 2010. I have also met with the Independent Review Panel.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/2/9/QWA_16346_2010-16346-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16347 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, papers did the Minister take to Cabinet, relating to Sensitive Claims and or ACC’s Sensitive Claims Unit, since 1 April 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question 16345 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/9/3/QWA_16347_2010-16347-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16363 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many ACC approved psychiatrists are currently being paid in relation to Sensitive Claims Unit claims, by headcount and/or full time equivalent?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: In June 2010, ACC paid 49 providers under the Psychiatrist contract for Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/c/1/QWA_16363_2010-16363-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16364 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many ACC approved psychologists are currently being paid in relation to the Sensitive Claims Unit claims, by headcount and/or full time equivalent?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: In June 2010, ACC paid 63 providers under the Psychologist, and Diagnostic and Treatment Assessment (DATA) contracts for Sensitive Claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/2/f/QWA_16364_2010-16364-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16373 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, written reports relating to Sensitive Claims and/or the Sensitive Claims Pathway did he receive since 1 December 2008, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Parliamentary Question 16343 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/8/5/QWA_16373_2010-16373-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16375 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, meetings did the Minister have with lobby groups since 1 April 2010, by date and group relating to Sensitive Claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have not had any meetings with lobby groups since 1 April 2010 relating to sensitive claims. I have encouraged groups with concerns to refer them to the Independent Clinical Review team.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/7/5/4/QWA_16375_2010-16375-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16376 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, if any, for the Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for November 2009?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table, which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from 1 November 2009 to 30 June 2010 by region of injury and the claim's current decision status as at 05 July 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/8/d/QWA_16376_2010-16376-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16377 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, if any, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for March 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to the response to written Parliamentary Question 16376 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/2/6/QWA_16377_2010-16377-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16378 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the numbers of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for June 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to the response to written Parliamentary Question 16376 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/9/5/2/QWA_16378_2010-16378-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16379 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, if any, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the member to the response to written Parliamentary Question 16376 (2010).
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/d/7/QWA_16379_2010-16379-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16380 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, if any, of Sensitive Claims, lodged, accepted, declined, awaiting external information, under assessment by ACC for Claims decision and duplicate, by region for May 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 16379 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/5/d/QWA_16380_2010-16380-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16381 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, if any, for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in March, April and May 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 16379 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/2/1/2/QWA_16381_2010-16381-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16382 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What are the updated numbers, if any, for the how many Sensitive Claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to my answer to Question No. 16379 (2010)
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/2/6/1/QWA_16382_2010-16382-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16383 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What advice has the Minister sought or received, if any, to deal with the implications of the current economic downturn for this portfolio in relation to the Sensitive Claims Unit?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I have not sought or received advice about the implications of the current economic downturn for this portfolio in relation to the Sensitive Claims Unit nor am I aware of what relevance this has to the issues managed by the Sensitive Claims Unit.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/5/6/f/QWA_16383_2010-16383-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16384 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What is the cost of all contractors hired by ACC’ Sensitive Claims Unit, per week, as broken down by individual contractor since 1 April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: I refer the Member to the attached table.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/a/0/QWA_16384_2010-16384-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

16385 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many, if any, casual staff have been employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 April 2010?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: No casual staff have been employed by ACC in the Sensitive Claims Unit since 1 April 2010.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/2/c/QWA_16385_2010-16385-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

ACC sexual abuse counselling

An interview with Kathryn Ryan from Radio New Zealand National

Kathryn McPhillips, clinical manager of the Auckland Sexual Abuse Helpline, and a sexual abuse survivor who was sexually abused as a child and says ACC-funded counselling turned her life around.

Click here to listen.

Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand