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
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3842542/GPs-uneasy-over-ACCs-changes

ACC sensitive claims

A press release from the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

The College’s ACC Sensitive Claims Survey closed on Thursday. We received 148 responses, conveying a wide range of views. Susan Dovey, Associate Professor from Otago University, is analysing responses and we hope to report her findings next Tuesday.
The Minister for ACC has set up an independent Panel, chaired by Dr Barbara Disley, to review the Sensitive Claims Clinical Pathway. The panel is receiving written submissions from organisations and people affected by the changes with the introduction of the Clinical Pathway. To be considered, submissions must reach the panel by Friday 18 June 2010. They can be emailed to ClinicalPathwayReviewSubmissions@researchnz.com or posted to the panel at PO Box 1039, Wellington 6140. Information on the review and the Terms of Reference is available at http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/sensitive+claims+review+announced.
The College will be making a submission to the panel. Copies of individual submissions and comments to contribute to the College submission can be sent to policy@rnzcgp.org.nz before 14 June.

http://www.rnzcgp.org.nz/acc-sensitive-claims

ACC - Clinical Pathway to Lala Land

A blog entry from K1W1 by Jax

Like a few people I imagine, I'm pretty much playing "catch up" on the ole ACC saga. Sure, I saw the protests on TV some months back and yeah, I've heard rumbles from some about the "hideous" recommendations, but I never really thought more about it until I flicked through emails sent to me by another member.
Within two days of sifting through her copious emails I was livid. She's not a reporter but she sure as hell could give some of our current ones a run for their money. She's a nurse, a psych nurse, and she's deadly passionate about the changes not only in the legislation but in the effect it's having on those close to her. This is a woman who entered into the health profession with a sense of pride and today, she's "gutted" by her own health professional's unethical decisions. In short, she feels ashamed of them.

Read the rest of this entry at http://k1w1jax.blogspot.com/2010/05/acc-clinical-pathway-to-lala-land.html

GPs welcome evidence-based care guidelines

Press release from the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has welcomed moves by ACC to follow evidence-based care guidelines for sensitive claims clients.
College president, Dr Harry Pert, said the new guidelines will ensure patients receive best practice care that has been proven to deliver optimum results.
“The team approach has been proven to be the most effective in cases of mild to moderate mental injury.” Dr Pert said.
“Recent pilot programmes have shown that very good results come from doctors working together with counsellors, psychologists and others.”
“ACC’s practice guidelines for sexual abuse and mental injury will strengthen these results still further. All the clinical evidence suggests the new approach ACC is adopting will be in the best interests of the patient,” Dr Pert said.
“By working with psychologists early on, GPs, counsellors and others will be able to provide the best and most focussed care possible.”
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.
Published in 2008, the Massey guidelines outline a clear, evidence-based approach for the most effective treatment and rehabilitation of people who have suffered sexual abuse.
“The provision of safe, quality treatment and care that suits patients’ needs and provides them with the very best health outcomes, is a major goal of the College. It is very pleasing to know that ACC’s new approach is based on extensive research and clinical evidence,” Dr Pert said.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0911/S00005.htm