Making a difference in sexual violence prevention

A press release by ACC

A new web based tool has been developed to evaluate sexual violence prevention practice. Developed by ACC, the Making a Difference: Sexual Violence Primary Prevention Toolkit will enable providers of sexual violence prevention activities to measure increases in knowledge, shifts in attitudes and changes in behaviour.
ACC’s Injury Prevention Portfolio Manager – Violence, Mike McCarthy, says the new tool will help agencies focus on primary prevention which is evidence-based, promotes behaviour change and guides funding decisions towards best practise activities.
“Current evaluation of sexual violence prevention is inconsistent and limited to measuring how much participants enjoyed a programme rather than what they got out of it and whether it changed their attitudes and behaviour.”
The development of the Toolkit aligns with ACC’s role as coordinator of the Government‘s response to sexual violence primary prevention activity. It is also an integral part of ACC’s suite of injury prevention initiatives to reduce the incidence of injury and, in this case, harm from sexual violence.
“Our goal is to support children, aged 25 and under, to experience safe, healthy and respectful relationships. As part of our violence prevention initiatives, we want to improve the ability to evaluate sexual violence prevention activities in New Zealand.”
Mr McCarthy says, “If we can stop sexual violence happening in the first place, we won’t need to deal with the consequences of the serious harm sexual violence causes.”
Sexual violence is one of the most costly crimes to individuals and society, with Treasury estimating it costs the New Zealand economy $1.2 billion each year. In the 2015/16 financial year ACC paid over $83 million on over 20,000 sensitive claims, an increase of 31 percent on the previous year. The average cost of sensitive claims increased by 17 percent between 2015 and 2016.
The Toolkit will assist in ensuring sexual violence prevention activity is focused on behaviour change and that funding across government agencies, including ACC, can be targeted towards effective programmes.
The Toolkit will ensure greater consistency in the evaluation of projects across government and community agencies and provide invaluable insights into what works in sexual violence prevention, says Mike McCarthy.

http://www.acc.co.nz/news/WPC139402

ACC Minister must help sexual violence survivors

A press release from the Green Party by Jan Logie

The Green Party is calling on ACC Minister Nikki Kaye to remove the obligation for sexual violence survivors to be diagnosed with a mental illness before being allowed additional ACC-funded counselling.
Green Party MP Jan Logie and survivor advocate Louise Nicholas today launched a new campaign and petition to demand that survivors don’t need a mental illness diagnosis in order to have their sensitive claims proceed.
“Being the victim of sexual violence is not a mental illness,” Ms Logie said.
“Being subjected to sexual violence is trauma enough. Being a victim of sexual violence on its own should qualify survivors for the help they need.
“It’s great to hear the Minister Nikki Kaye say she’s open to a better way of helping the survivors of sexual violence. Removing the obligation for them to be diagnosed with a mental illness is an appropriate start.”
The petition is available here: http://action.greens.org.nz/remove_the_barriers
Under current ACC practice, in order for survivors of sexual violence to have their ACC sensitive claim approved, they must be diagnosed with a psychiatric condition. Up to 16 hours of one-on-one therapy is initially available when someone lodges a sensitive claim with ACC, however accessing help after that requires a diagnosis.
“In many cases this labelling of sexual violence survivors can be re-traumatising and stigmatising, and is a significant deterrent for those who need treatment.
“ACC needs to change its processes so that people are able to access the help that they need,” Ms Logie said.

More information is available here http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/business/qwa/QWA_03866_2016/3866-2016-jan-logie-to-the-minister-for-acc

© 2016 The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

https://www.greens.org.nz/news/press-release/acc-minister-must-help-sexual-violence-survivors

More ACC support to help address sexual violence

A press release from the National Party

ACC Minister Nikki Kaye welcomes ACC’s new support package for people who’ve experienced sexual abuse or assault.
“It’s clear to me ACC has listened to feedback from clients, families, counsellors and others, and their input is reflected in the more flexible, wider range of support now being offered,” says Ms Kaye.
“ACC has come a long way in the last few years and I’m encouraged things are heading in the right direction.
“The new approach is not just about helping individuals but families too, who are also impacted if a loved one is sexually abused or assaulted.”
Improvements under the new service include:

• more holistic support – as well as one-to-one therapy, people can now access new support such as family and whānau sessions, social work support and liaison with other agencies to obtain assistance that can help recovery
• more hours of support for those who need it – up to around 60 hours of total short-term support, and up to around 100 hours of further support over 12 months, if required, for people with longer-term needs
• more flexible support - making it easier to enter, exit and return to assistance at any time
• new purpose-built claim form, which reflects the sensitivities of the situation.

“The new service is also fully funded by ACC. This means service providers cannot charge clients a co-payment, which will help more people access help when they need it.
“I’m pleased to confirm that on top of this, ACC will invest more in preventing sexual violence, from around $1 million to $4 million in the coming year.
“This extra support and injury prevention funding links into the wider government strategy, led by Ministers Adams and Tolley, to address sexual and family violence and encourage cultural change.
“It can be difficult sometimes for people to come forward and get help, so I encourage anyone affected by sexual violence to see what help is available.”
For more information, see the new website findsupport.co.nz.

© 2014 New Zealand National Party

https://www.national.org.nz/news/news/media-releases/detail/2015/03/02/more-acc-support-to-help-address-sexual-violence

ACC launches new recovery service for clients

A press release from ACC

ACC is formally launching its new Integrated Services for Sensitive Claims or ISSC. The service has been underway since November 2014 and provides people who have experienced sexual violence with safe and flexible access to a range of support, assessment and treatment services.
The launch is being held at Te Wharewaka, 15 Jervois Quay, Wellington and will commence at 5pm.
“The service has been significantly improved and re-designed to ensure it’s more client-centric,” says Emma Powell, Strategy Manager Sexual Violence at ACC.
“We listened, acknowledged the issues, engaged with providers, key agencies and made considerable changes based on sector and, most importantly, our clients’ advice,” Ms Powell says.
The launch is intended to raise awareness of the service and the changes that have been made.
Some of the significant differences for clients are:

• ACC is fully funding the service so clients will not be asked to provide a co-payment as in the past
• A greater focus on holistic support and treatment and tailored plans to help clients achieve their individual outcomes
• A new tailor made claim form
• Clients can access the findsupport.co.nz website for information about ISSC, sensitive claims and to find a service provider in their area
• Flexibility in treatment planning – plans can be agreed for up to 12 months.

“There is immediate support available and clients have a range of services they may access depending on their needs. For example, one-to-one counselling, family and whanau sessions, cultural support and group therapy,” Ms Powell says.
The new service has a greater focus on maintaining wellbeing. Following treatment, clients can have up to four sessions per year for up to three years pre-approved and access these directly as needed.
“ACC is committed long-term to this service and will continue to work with the sector and further grow the relationships that have been built up. ACC is committed to understanding the experience of our clients and to ensure we continue to develop the service, improve the service and get it right,” says Ms Powell.

© 2015 ACC

http://www.acc.co.nz/news/WPC137493

Time Key took responsibility for Collins

A press release from the New Zealand Labour Party by Grant Robertson

It is well past time for John Key to take some responsibility for the misuse of power and information by his Minister Judith Collins, and follow through on his last warning to her, Labour MP Grant Robertson says.
“The evidence released this week shows John Key’s staff and Ministers are directly involved in the kind of negative politics and smears that put ordinary New Zealanders off engaging in the political process. It is time for the Prime Minister to show some leadership and take responsibility for these actions.
“Nicky Hager’s book includes new examples of the way in which Judith Collins has misused information that she only had access to because she is a Minister. New Zealanders have a right to expect better of the Ministers who act on their behalf.
“Two examples stand out, which John Key needs to hold Judith Collins to account for. First, she was involved in a campaign to smear a staff member in the Ministerial Services team as part of a distraction from issues being raised about Bill English claiming housing allowances in 2009.
“Despite there being no evidence to suggest this staff member had done anything wrong, he was attacked in several blogs by Cameron Slater. The book released this week reveals that Judith Collins sent information about this person’s name and job to Cameron Slater as he prepared these attacks.
“This is an appalling example of a Minister misusing her power to attack an innocent public servant. By his inaction John Key is telling New Zealanders that this is acceptable behaviour.
“The book also contains emails from Cameron Slater that report conversations with Judith Collins about the unauthorised release of ACC information that went to Bronwyn Pullar. The emails record that Slater had talked to the Minister about the case and that he received information about what Bronwyn Pullar was doing that could only have come from Judith Collins.
“As Minister for ACC that would be a gross breach of the confidentiality expected when dealing with ACC. John Key needs to investigate this to show once and for all where the leak of this sensitive information came from.
“The evidence presented this week shows that Judith Collins sent many messages and emails and made many phone calls to Cameron Slater that smear and denigrate political opponents and even innocent public servants.
“That is not what New Zealanders are paying her a Ministerial salary for. John Key needs to stop being so relaxed about serious issues. He needs to take some responsibility for her actions and follow through on the many warnings he has given Judith Collins,” Grant Robertson said.

© 2014 Scoop Media

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1408/S00248/time-key-took-responsibility-for-collins.htm

National must stop meddling with ACC before the election

A press release from the Green Party by Kevin Hague

The redesign currently occurring at the Accident Claims Corporation (ACC) for sensitive claims needs to be put on hold immediately, said the Green Party today.
The Green Party is concerned about work currently underway at ACC involving the sensitive claims service that could impact on the availability of clinical psychology treatment for victims of rape and sexual abuse as well as their privacy. The Green Party believes that ACC is instituting a new level of bureaucracy in order to farm out sensitive claims to private providers.
“Instituting major structural change into the way ACC delivers services to New Zealanders a few weeks out from a general election is unacceptable,” Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague said today.
“The new corporate insurance model that ACC is moving towards creates a new layer of bureaucracy that may enable companies to set up and profit from procuring the services of specialised psychologists.
“Private companies should not be able to turn a profit from the money intended to support the victims of sexual violence and abuse.
“ACC’s new model involves the creation of new, non-specialist ‘supplier’ entities who will tender for the provision of services with pre-existing treatment providers.
“Moving towards this model could result in non-specialised third parties handling extremely confidential information which is currently only held by the Sensitive Claims unit and select providers,” Mr Hague said.
“The supplier organisations do not need to be specialists in sexual violence services, but are entirely new organisations set up for nationwide competitive tendering. It is not clear that in the event of a breach of privacy or process who would be held to account.
“The sensitive claims redesign could result in a decline in the specialist workforce and undermine the provision of wrap around services.
“Any psychologists not signed up with a supplier or themselves becoming a supplier will be unable to provide ACC funded specialist claims services.
“The Government has missed the opportunity to redesign the sensitive claims pathway and fully implement the Disley report recommendations.”
The Disley report, released in 2012, suggested a wide range recommendations including improving communications with clients, refining ACC’s systems and processes, ensuring treatment and assessment is carried out by a well-qualified, fit-for-purpose workforce.
“National is choosing to push through major changes without properly consulting clients, advocates, psychologists or the public,” Mr Hague said.
“The new direction National is taking ACC lacks proper checks and balances.
“The Green Party will stop this attempt at privatisation of ACC by stealth.
"The Green Party has previously laid out a ten point plan for rehabilitating ACC and bring it back to the core principles it was founded on.”
Link to Green Party ACC plan: https://www.greens.org.nz/press-releases/acc-rehabilitation-plan-announced

© 2014 Scoop Media

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1408/S00211/national-must-stop-meddling-with-acc-before-the-election.htm

ACC cover to extend to child victims of sexual grooming

A press release from the New Zealand Government

ACC Minister Judith Collins today announced an addition to the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill that would extend ACC sensitive claims cover to children or young people who are victims of sexual grooming or indecent communications.
“There is a gap in the current ACC law that needs addressing to establish cover for victims of these types of child sexual exploitation,” Ms Collins says.
“Our Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill targets criminals who prey on children, either by feeding the supply or fuelling the demand for the insidious underground child sexual abuse market.
“This proposal will ensure ACC cover is provided for mental injury caused by the Bill’s new offence of indecent communication with a young person, as well as cover for the existing offence of sexual grooming.”
Ms Collins says the proposal supports ACC’s new strategy for action on sexual violence that focuses on prevention, first response and quality services to help victims of sexual violence.
Just recently ACC announced its Mates & Dates pilot that aims to prevent sexual and dating violence by helping young people to understand the value of healthy relationships based on respect, negotiation and consent.
A further addition to the Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill will ensure that any person convicted of indecently communicating with a young person is restricted from working in core children’s workforce roles. The Objectionable Publications and Indecency Legislation Bill is currently awaiting its second reading in Parliament.

© 2014 Scoop Media

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1407/S00647/acc-cover-to-extend-to-child-victims-of-sexual-grooming.htm

ACC fully funded counselling 'outside evidence'

A press release from 24-7 by Steve Taylor

ACC decision to fully fund counselling therapy “way outside the scope of the outcome evidence” says Counsellor and Social Services Outcomes Researcher.
The decision by the ACC to fully fund counselling for victims of sexual assault is a “good intentions decision absent of any cogent wisdom or evidence as to what works in therapy” says Steve Taylor, Director of 24-7 Ltd, and a Social Service Outcomes Researcher.
“While we know that 80% of people who seek therapy will make much better progress with their presenting issue than 80% of people who may need therapy but don’t seek it, we also know that the most significant period of clinically significant change for clients occurs within the first 5 – 7 sessions of therapy”.
ACC’s own reported uptake figures bear this out, with claimants session uptake averaging 7.8 sessions per person”.
Once again, just like with the NZ Family Court before it, the Government is going to throw money in the general direction of what it thinks might work, not ask for any outcomes measures of service provision from the therapists providing the service, and then cross it’s fingers that someone, somewhere, might be helped”.
Based on the international client outcome evidence, for ACC to adopt such a cavalier attitude with taxpayer-funded levies by stating “here’s 12 months of funding, help yourself”, would strongly indicate that the organisation has absolutely no idea of the importance of securing outcome data for funds disbursed, or service efficiency economies of scale".
Funding 48 therapy sessions over a 12 month period is gross and irresponsible waste of taxpayers’ money, when most of the time, clinically significant change can occur with many fewer sessions, provided that the results of the counselling intervention is being measured, and adjusted to suit specific client needs accordingly” said Mr Taylor.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1404/S00094/acc-fully-funded-counselling-outside-evidence.htm

ACC privacy ruling welcomed for sensitive claimants

A press release from the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists

Yesterday’s District Court ruling, that the standard ACC release of information form the “ACC 167” is illegal, has been welcomed by psychotherapists and clinicians working with sexual abuse survivors.
“The Disley Independent Clincial review of the ACC’s treatment of sensitive claimants, undertaken in 2010, outlined serious concerns about this form and the ACC’s approach to the gathering of health information. This decision is welcomed, but long overdue” says Kyle MacDonald, New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists Public Issues spokesperson.
The Disley review included a legal opinion, which noted concerns about the ACC 167, and explained the limitations that apply to the collection of health information. Those working with all ACC claimants, and specifically in the sexual violence sector, have long expressed these concerns.
“We’ve known for a long time that this form, and its implementation, has caused specific problems for sensitive claimants” says Kyle MacDonald, “it has been common practice for the ACC to request ALL of a claimants GP or Mental health notes, and not accept a health professional acting in accordance with the Privacy act by providing only those parts of the record relevant to the claim. Furthermore the ACC have quite explicitly declined to advance a claim if individuals refuse to sign the waiver due to quite legitimate privacy concerns.”
This has set up a perception that ACC have gone on “fishing expeditions” for reasons to decline claims, rather than sticking to the limits of the Privacy Act, like all other health professionals are required to do.
“Hopefully this decision allows people who have had their claim declined due
to the illegal acquisition of health information to have their claim revisited. It should also allow those who have had their claim declined due to their refusal to sign this form to also re-apply for cover and treatment.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1404/S00230/acc-privacy-ruling-welcomed-for-sensitive-claimants.htm

Respect key to tackling sexual violence early

A press release from the New Zealand Government

ACC Minister Judith Collins has today announced a new school-based pilot project funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) as part of its new focus on preventing sexual violence.
“Sexual violence has a significant effect on victims and families, resulting in substantial physical and mental health issues as well as social problems like poverty, addiction and suicide,” Ms Collins says.
“Encouraging a culture of respect is one of the most effective ways we can help to prevent sexual and dating violence. This pilot programme will teach young people the value of having healthy relationships based on respect, negotiation and consent.”
Recently ACC has made sexual violence prevention part of its core business focus and its first initiative in this area is a school-based pilot programme focussed on fostering healthy and respectful relationships.
In 2012/13, ACC spent $44 million on services for about 15,000 sensitive claims – the majority of which are related to sexual violence.
“There is some great work already being done by the sexual violence sector in schools but there is also recognition that we need to ensure these programmes have better national coordination, are consistent in content and ensure the best coverage possible,” Ms Collins says.
The school based programme is being developed with an Advisory Group made up of sexual violence sector representatives, interested community groups, government agencies and specialist academics, with input from students, parents and teachers. The programme will be a part of a wider programme of work led by Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.
The programme is still in its early stages of development and there will be further announcements on the specific content, providers, and schools that will be piloted in the third school term this year.

http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/respect-key-tackling-sexual-violence-early

Herald on Sunday wrong to claim ACC cutting counselling support

A press release from ACC

An incorrect claim was made in the article “Alarm over depression therapy cuts” that appeared in the Herald on Sunday on 28 July.
The article wrongly stated that “the ceiling on [ACC] therapy sessions may be cut from 16 to as low as four.”
ACC will not be reducing the 16 hours of counselling support available to people who make a claim for mental injury as a result of sexual abuse or sexual assault.
The sensitive claims service redesign currently underway is about ensuring all people with sensitive claims receive the services they need. It is not about reducing services.
Next month ACC will be running a number of stakeholder meetings to get input and feedback on the proposed new high-level service design. Later this year we will also conduct a nationwide roadshow to explain the new service design to sensitive claims providers.
Our media team has contacted the Herald on Sunday today to request a correction. ACC is concerned that current clients of sensitive claims services could be alarmed by the article, and we have asked a range of provider groups for their help in letting clients know the information is incorrect.

http://www.acc.co.nz/news/WPC118907

ACC specialists fees reveal huge doubts about independence

A press release from the Green Party by Kevin Hague

Evidence that ACC is paying some medical specialists up to half a million dollars a year, an average of up to $1666 each client, reveals huge doubts about the independence of some of the corporation’s favourite doctors, the Green Party said today.
“I have documents showing ACC paid some of its top specialists up to $500,000 a year for between 300 and 500 clients,” Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague said.
“The enormous volume of work and the huge fees paid to these specialists suggest they have been well and truly wrapped up in ACC’s processes for delivering its goal to ‘target the low hanging fruit’ – the people with long term injuries.
“It would be totally unacceptable if the corporation was using doctors it can rely on to deliver assessments that meet that target.
“ACC has a well-established and clear goal of exiting people from the scheme and it is crucial that medical assessments are seen to be truly independent.
“It seems little has changed since Judge Trapski’s damning 1994 report that found, in the case of one favoured ACC specialist, that he’d been used over the years as ACC’s “hit man.”
“Trapski warned then that ACC’s medical assessors need to not only function as independent specialists but must be seen to be independent.
“Favouring a select group of specialists whose medical opinions appear to favour ACC’s agenda is not being seen to be independent.
“The huge fees paid to these assessors, combined with the extremely high rate that ACC’s decisions on long term claimants are overturned at review, reveals real concerns about the fairness of their decisions.
“The ACC Minister must urgently enquire into the appointment of these specialists, and instruct her new board to devise a way to appoint truly independent assessors.
“In answer to my questions in the House today the Minister seems to share our concerns and be determined to actually achieve independent assessments.
“An option would be to bulk fund DHBs to provide a rolling roster of specialists to provide ACC assessments in their region, or contract with professional colleges to ensure the assessments are independent,” Mr Hague said.
Data received through OIA on the payments made and workloads of ACC assessors: http://www.greens.org.nz/misc-documents/data-received-through-oia-payments-made-and-workloads-acc-assessors

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00211/acc-specialists-fees-reveal-huge-doubts-about-independence.htm

ACC assessments also key for sensitive claimants

A press release from the New Zealand Association of Psychotherapists by Kyle MacDonald

Last night’s shocking expose on TV3’s 60 minutes showed how even “insiders” from ACC admit that a deliberate process of using medical assessors favourable to ACC has lead to a clear and dramatic increase in the “exit” of long term claimants from the ACC’s books.
This approach also continues to detrimentally affect survivors of sexual abuse and violence, or “sensitive claimants” says psychotherapist Kyle MacDonald.
“What was not widely reported with the release of the recent monitoring report of the Independent Clinical Review of the Sensitive Claims treatment pathway was how the ACC’s independent assessors are also preventing New Zealander’s accessing counselling.”
To access ongoing counselling, beyond sixteen support sessions, the client must have a cover determination report, or an external psychological assessment. This is usually conducted by an ACC appointed and contracted assessor.
“What is shocking is to me is that the report details that less than 4% of claims have been accepted based on these assessors reports, in 2011 and 2012. This is down from roughly 60% in 2008.” says MacDonald. “I believe this is further evidence of the cynical management detailed by 60 minutes. The idea that only 4 out of every hundred clients require more than four months of counselling to recover from sexual abuse and trauma makes no clinical sense.”
“It’s also clear that from the clinicians and clients I talk to that all the problems outlined with 'hatchet' assessors, outlined in last nights report also apply to long term Sensitive Claimants and the ACC’s psychological and psychiatric assessments.”
The “Monitoring Report on the Recommendations from the Independent Panel’s Review of the ACC’s Sensitive Claims Treatment Pathway: 18 months follow up” was released on the 17th of July, 2012. The quoted statistics can be found on p. 29.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE1209/S00048/acc-assessments-also-key-for-sensitive-claimants.htm

Independent medical assessments must be a top priority

A press release from the Green Party by Kevin Hague

The newly constituted ACC Board needs to demonstrate its commitment to culture change in the organisation by immediately changing the way it commissions the services of specialist medical assessors, Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague said today.
Melanie Read's 60 Minutes story, which screened earlier this evening, has revealed to the public what ACC advocates, long term claimants, and the Green Party have known for some time: that ACC is selectively contracting favoured medical assessors who deliver the assessments that ACC needs to end the entitlements of long-term claimants.
"There is no doubt that ACC has a standard practice of using specialist medical assessors who are likely to make an assessment favourable to ACC,” said Mr Hague.
“The many claimants' stories I have on file show, in particular, it is common for ACC medical assessors to have views which are unusual in their specialty, and who are willing to offer opinions outside of their recognized scope of practice.
“Dr Du Plessis, who was interviewed in Melanie Reid's story is far from unique.
“This is not a new problem. The review of ACC claims management undertaken by Judge Trapski in the wake of the scandal in which Dr. Laurie Gluckman was used by ACC to give opinions in ACC's favour, recommended in 1994 that specialist medical assessments should be genuinely independent of both the claimants and ACC itself.
"It is scandalous that ACC is still engaging in these unethical practices. It is yet another illustration of the sick culture of disentitlement that has taken hold of the organisation,” said Mr Hague.
“It will be an important test of the Minister and the new Board whether urgent action is now taken to introduce truly independent assessments.
"The Green Party has suggested several ways of doing this to the Minister. One is to engage with the specialists' professional colleges to have them appoint medical assessors. Another is simply to extend the contracts ACC already has with District Health Boards so that DHB specialists make the assessments,” said Mr Hague.
Mr Hague has also raised with the Minister ACC's intention to now exercise greater control of the clinical "gateway" into the scheme.
"ACC is now extending the methods they have used to 'exit' long term claimants to the processes by which accident victims are referred into the scheme by general practitioners. The Minister has indicated that our grave concern about these practices will be considered by the new Board. This can't come soon enough,” said Mr Hague.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00112/independent-medical-assessments-must-be-a-top-priority.htm

Rebstock’s appointment highlights opportunity for ACC

A press release from the Green Party

The appointment of Paula Rebstock as permanent chair of ACC is an opportunity to steer the corporation back towards the role and principles it was founded on, the Green party said today.
Ms Rebstock has been interim chair of ACC since John Judge stood down and today was appointed chairperson.
“Ms Rebstock has a huge responsibility to turn the ACC ship around,” Green Party ACC spokesperson Kevin Hague said today.
“Recent reports into ACC by the Auditor General and the Privacy Commissioner have called for major top-level change at the corporation.
“New Zealanders will expect a very different performance and attitude from ACC than they saw when Ms Rebstock was a board member under John Judge and the previous ACC minister Nick Smith.
“Her dual roles in both ACC and Work and Income will require her to be particularly conscious that it is not acceptable to exit people from ACC only to have them end up on WINZ benefits.
“Ordinary New Zealanders don’t like the profit-driven, privacy-abandoning organisation that ACC has become and want it to return to the principals it was founded on.
“It’s pretty basic really. Kiwis gave up the right to sue for a no-fault system that guaranteed them proper compensation and rehabilitation when they were hurt and injured. Its about giving injured New Zealanders the chance of a good life and a fair future.
“Ms Rebstock has a huge job to lead the top-level change that’s needed to make that happen,” Mr Hague said.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1209/S00033/rebstocks-appointment-highlights-opportunity-for-acc.htm

Knee-jerk privacy measures put ACC staff under more stress

A press release from the Public Service Association

The Public Service Association says ACC has introduced a range of knee-jerk processes around privacy which are only serving to put staff under more pressure.
An independent report into privacy breaches has blamed systematic weaknesses and says a culture change is needed from the top down.
“Frontline ACC staff have been working in a high pressure environment due to cost-saving driven restructuring. They are the ones dealing with the fallout from poor management and privacy breaches which happened at much higher levels of the organisation,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.
“What they are currently facing is a kneejerk response from ACC which will do nothing to change the top down culture outlined in the report.”
ACC staff are reporting that a range of new checks and procedures have been introduced which they were not consulted about and which are having an almost unmanageable effect on their workloads and ultimately their service to clients.
“In its haste to clamp down on privacy breaches ACC is not giving frontline staff the support they need and is transferring a culture of fear down through the organisation,” Richard Wagstaff says.
The PSA says it is good to see the independent report into the privacy breaches acknowledging the need for strong leadership, clear policy and more support for staff.
“ACC should use it as a turning point to make meaningful change throughout the organisation. Staff want to ensure that everything is done to protect client privacy and rebuild public confidence in ACC. They want to be part of the solutions,” Mr Wagstaff says.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00383/knee-jerk-privacy-measures-put-acc-staff-under-more-stress.htm

Claimants shouldn’t be forgotten in ACC fallout

A press release from the Labour Party by Andrew Little

ACC must take the concerns of sensitive claims unit claimants seriously, and set up a high level unit to deal with the outstanding complaints around breaches of privacy and misuse of information, Labour’s ACC spokesperson Andrew Little says.
Two independent reports yesterday highlighted the "cavalier" nature of information management and called for a change in culture within the Corporation.
"While the work of the two review teams will be helpful in moving to a healthier culture at ACC, it is still surprising little was said by either review team about the fate of nearly 200 sensitive claims unit claimants who had some of their details released in the mass privacy breach that was the subject of the investigation.
"The Privacy Commissioner's review treated the SCU claimants too lightly when it implied not much identifying information was disclosed, but the report shows there was an identifying code for the issues under appeal, so unauthorized ACC staff would know exactly what those claims were about.
"A couple of months ago Labour called for a high level independent review team to be set up straight away to deal with all existing complaints about misuse of information.
"If ACC and Judith Collins are serious about restoring confidence, then this is an initiative that could go a long way to doing so as well as exorcising some difficult demons that will only hold the Corporation back if they are not dealt with.
"ACC really needs to accept that an entirely new approach is required. All of the difficult files of recent years need to be reviewed with a fresh pair of eyes so everyone can move on with the confidence that they have been treated fairly,” said Andrew Little.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00370/claimants-shouldnt-be-forgotten-in-acc-fallout.htm

Coalition welcomes opportunity provided by reports

A press release from the ACC Futures Coalition

The two reports on ACC commissioned by the Privacy Commissioner and the Office of the Auditor-General may highlight failures but they also provide an opportunity to rethink the direction of the scheme, according to the ACC Futures Coalition.
“We welcome these reports,” said ACC Futures Coalition spokesperson Hazel Armstrong. “They confirm that there were problems at the governance and senior levels of the corporation with regard to the management of risk and claimants’ information.”
The report of the Privacy Commissioner (conducted by KPMG) found that the release of claimants’ details to Bronwyn Pullar, which occurred in August 2011, was a genuine error but occurred because of systemic weaknesses within ACC's culture, systems and processes.
“There is much to like about the KPMG report,” said Ms. Armstrong, “for example, we are pleased to see the emphasis that the report places on organisational culture. The report emphasises the need for a balance between ‘privacy, customer service and efficient and effective management so that “firm is also seen as fair” by ACC and its external clients and stakeholders.’ The report also stresses the importance of a culture of respect for claimant privacy which will lead to the wellbeing of clients and to achieving community trust in ACC.”
“We see these points as recognition of the link between the problems with the culture around the protection of information and the wider culture of the corporation,” said Ms. Armstrong.
“When discussing the culture of corporation the report raises the challenge arising from conflicting political views on the role of ACC and the resulting fluctuations in scheme performance, stating that this has resulted in ambiguity for staff in terms of customer service and managing claimant entitlements. There is a need for multi-party agreement on the future of the scheme,” said Ms. Armstrong, “something which the ACC Futures Coalition has been calling for since its inception.”
“These reports represent an opportunity to achieve a consensus on the future direction of the scheme,” said Ms. Armstrong. “We have begun the process of developing our own manifesto for ACC and are organising a one-day seminar in late October to assist us with that process. We want to contribute to a debate about how we can restore the scheme to its original founding values and we hope that all the parties and the Minister, will join us.”
“Both of the reports also identify failings at governance level around management of risk,” said Ms. Armstrong.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00364/coalition-welcomes-opportunity-provided-by-reports.htm

ACC fiasco starts and stops with the Minister

A press release from the New Zealand Labour Party by Andrew Little

The Privacy Commissioner’s report into the ACC leaks is a litany of leadership gone wrong, Labour’s ACC spokesperson Andrew Little says.
“In slamming the culture at ACC, the Commissioner says it is ‘vital’ for a change starting at the top.
“So let’s start with Judith Collins. This whole fiasco is a direct consequence of the Government clearing out experienced board members, putting in their own, overseeing strategies aimed at cost cutting rather than treatment and rehabilitation – which a more experienced board member might have expressed caution about – and then not recognising they were facing allegations of serious problems with the Corporation’s conduct.
“It is not good enough to name and blame others. The Cabinet that Ms Collins is part of has driven the agenda on this and she must take responsibility for the fallout.
“It’s not enough for ACC to be a clip-on to a senior Minister’s other roles.
“If the Government is serious about change from the top then it should start by having a dedicated minister in the role who can work closely with the board and senior management to bring about the necessary changes.
“We will only know the government has taken the reports of both the Privacy Commissioner and the Auditor-General seriously when it appoints a minister who can win public confidence.
“It is essential, too, that the recommendations are put into effect as soon as possible, so that ACC can once again stand by its reputation as a world-class insurance agency,” said Andrew Little.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00340/acc-fiasco-starts-and-stops-with-the-minister.htm

Privacy Commissioner urges ACC culture change

A press release from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The Privacy Commissioner says a culture change starting at the top of ACC is vital if further data security breaches are to be prevented.
Marie Shroff is commenting on the findings and recommendations of the Independent Review of ACC Privacy and Security of Information that were released today.
The report was commissioned jointly by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) and the ACC Board following the unauthorized disclosure of details of 6,748 clients.
"The review has found the breach was a genuine error and I accept that. But it also shows the error happened because of systemic weaknesses within ACC's culture, systems and processes," says Ms Shroff.
"The reviewers noted a good level of privacy awareness especially at branch level. But the review also highlights a culture that, according to stakeholder feedback to the reviewers, has at times "an almost cavalier" attitude towards its clients and to the protection of their private information.
"The review shows that information stewardship is low level and defensive and focuses on breaches and complaints rather than taking strong leadership that emphasises respect for clients and their information.
"That is not good enough particularly in this digital age. Personal information is the lifeblood of ACC and it is vital that ACC treats that information with respect - the trust of its clients and, in many respects, the success of its operations depends on it."
Ms Shroff says the report shows that ACC lacks a comprehensive strategy for protecting and managing its client information.
"This sort of data is a major business asset with associated risks that have to be managed.
"While ACC has elements of privacy protection and security, these are not up to the standard expected of a responsible public sector agency that holds highly sensitive information on a large number of people.
"Changing that is essential. And the changes, which must include a culture change, have to start right at the top."
The review recommends that an independent audit of how ACC has implemented the changes is undertaken every two years and provided to the Privacy Commissioner.
Marie Shroff welcomes the recommendation.
"It's evident from the report that a lot needs to change before public confidence in ACC can be restored. I believe it can be done, but only if ACC takes the review's findings and recommendations seriously and gives its many good and committed staff the support they need to implement the necessary changes.
"The review provides a strong set of proposals. I will closely monitor ACC's progress as it implements these changes."
Ms Shroff says the data security breach at ACC has provided a timely warning to both public and private sector organisations.
"Agencies that hold large amounts of personal information should be taking note of what has happened at ACC and learn from its mistakes. Many organisations will recognise it could just as easily be them in the headlines."

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1208/S00359/privacy-commissioner-urges-acc-culture-change.htm