External review of ACC needed to restore faith

An article from the Otago Daily Times by John Gibb

Dunedin ACC campaigner Denise Powell says ACC's credibility has recently "taken a hammering" over some controversial elective surgery decisions, and an external review is needed to restore public faith in the corporation.
Mrs Powell is president of Acclaim Otago, an ACC claimant support group, and is also a member of the ACC Consumer Outlook Group, a liaison body which brings together ACC claimant support groups and others, with ACC management.
ACC has already begun an internal review of elective surgery, but, at a meeting in February, COG members urged ACC to consult more widely.
Elective surgery is also likely to be discussed at COG's next meeting, in Wellington today.
Dr Barbara Disley, a former senior Mental Health Commissioner, last year led an external review of "sensitive claims pathway" changes involving ACC's dealings with sexual abuse victims, which found some shortcomings and made 14 recommendations.
Mrs Powell said it seemed "very lottery-like" whether injured ACC claimants gained elective surgery, given suggestions that many people had been affected by degenerative processes and were effectively denied ACC cover.
Current decisions over surgery might be accurate, but the general public did not have "a lot of faith" in them.
An external review, such as over sensitive claims, was needed, she said.
Phil Riley, ACC external claims management national manager, said ACC expected the internal review to be completed at the end of this month.
Stakeholder groups had taken part, and the initial consultation had been extended, with 500 clients also surveyed.
He thanked everyone who had given ACC feedback.
ACC Minister Nick Smith has previously dismissed the idea of holding an external review into surgery issues.

© Allied Press Ltd 2010
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/155963/external-review-acc-needed-restore-faith