ACC independent review supports national outcry to stop pathway

An article from Te Whariki Tautoko by Ripeka August–Tampeau

Ka tangi te titi, ka tangi te kaka, ka tangi hoki ko au.
Kii mai koe ki ahau, he aha te mea nui o te ao?
Maku e kii atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
(Author unknown)

You ask me “what is the most important thing in this world” and
I must reply “It is people, it is people, it is people”.

And that is exactly what the Independent Review Panel clearly concluded in their recommendations to the Minister of ACC, Nick Smith. The review concluded the pathway needed an urgent overhaul to its generic clinical pathway process to better support the needs of victims of sexual assault. ACC’s response was immediate with the introduction of the much needed counselling support sessions.
The review panel is also clear that immediate changes to the pathway are not possible. As a result ACC have supported the recommendations and started working with the Sensitive Claims Advisory Group (SCAG) to begin developing and implementing a new clinical pathway based on the recommendations.
The Independent Review panel addressed serious concerns to the poor response by ACC to Maori victims of sexual assault and their whanau. As a result of the clinical pathway many Maori counsellors refused to support this pathway further reducing the already under representation of ACC Maori counsellors. The damage of the clinical pathway was felt by many and was responded to by many. Recently, ACC general manager and SCAG members agreed to a separate working group to develop and implement a tikanga Maori pathway and this is to happen as soon as possible.  
Although Maori are happy that changes have begun, there is still the thought “will ACC follow through”. It is clear there is still further work for ACC to do and in consultation with Maori stakeholders to “get it right”.

http://www.tewharikitautoko.org.nz/portfolios/acc-scag