The Swamp Report: video

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23 August 2012

Reports on ACC privacy, governance welcomed

A press release from the New Zealand Government by Judith Collins

ACC Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the Independent Review of ACC’s Privacy and Security of Information, and the Auditor-General’s Inquiry into aspects of ACC’s Board-level governance.
Ms Collins says ACC must deliver the high level of protection people rightly expect for their personal information and the independent report’s recommendations give clear directions for improvements.

“New Zealanders expect to be able to trust in ACC and be confident their sensitive information will be managed securely, and with care and respect.
“ACC staff have done their best, but they need leadership, tools and processes in place to support them in the important work they do. I am encouraged by the Board’s stated commitment to implementing the report’s recommendations in full.
“I have already put in place a new Service and Purchase Agreement to rebalance ACC’s priorities and set new targets to ensure ACC meets the highest standards of best practice and service for its clients.
“There is a great opportunity now for ACC to restore the public’s trust and confidence. Genuine culture change will take time, but with the right systems and processes, focussed leadership, and commitment to change, ACC can make positive progress.
“I am particularly pleased the authors of the independent review have provided a timeline for improvements in the privacy and security of information. I expect these to be met as a priority,” Ms Collins says.
Also released today, the Auditor-General’s Inquiry into aspects of ACC’s Board-level governance found senior Board members should have managed a client conflict of interest better and failed to recognise and appreciate the risks to ACC of the symptoms of systemic failure.
“The Auditor-General’s report makes it clear that neither the wider Board, nor the Chief Executive were aware of the issues,” Ms Collins says.
In addition, the Board did not have the right protocols to manage risks arising from conflicts of interest with claimants.
“The Auditor-General found the Service and Purchase Agreement the Government has put in place will lead to a more balanced and comprehensive approach to the governance and operation of ACC.
“Building on the strengths of the current four members, I am putting together a reconfigured Board that will have the right experience and the right commitment to leadership to take ACC forward,” Ms Collins says.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1208/S00335/reports-on-acc-privacy-governance-welcomed.htm

14 April 2011

Question to Minister: ACC sensitive claims clinical pathway - fairness of treatment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8Zxo0MlibI

Carmel Sepuloni to the Minister for ACC: Is the Minister confident that victims and survivors of sexual abuse are getting fair treatment from ACC?
Hon Tony Ryall (Minister of Health) on behalf of the Minister for ACC: I am advised that since introducing the 16 hours of support sessions recommended by the independent review of the clinical pathway, there has been a good uptake of these sessions, and ACC has made positive gains in this area. ACC has also engaged Dr Barbara Disley, who chaired the initial review, to perform a 6-month progress report on ACC’s implementation of the recommendations, and that report is expected shortly. The Minister is confident that this progress review will confirm that ACC has made positive gains.
Carmel Sepuloni: Does he think fair treatment includes a senior medical adviser at ACC, Dr Peter Jansen, suing an ACC claimant, a victim of sexual abuse, for $250,000 for speaking her mind on a blog about the appalling treatment of sexual abuse victims under his watch?
Hon Tony Ryall: I would say the Minister for ACC is very concerned about the victims of sexual abuse, and he goes to great lengths to see that ACC handles them sympathetically and fairly at all times. If the member has some information that she would like me to raise with the Minister, I would be more than willing to do that.
Carmel Sepuloni: Will he investigate how Dr Peter Jansen accessed private information about a victim of sexual abuse and used it to initiate legal action?
Mr Speaker: If this is a matter where legal action has been initiated, I think we need to be fairly careful about that. I do not believe I should allow that question.
Hon Trevor Mallard: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I think the matter is relatively simple as to whether the matter is before the court. If it is not before the court, it is my understanding that it has been the practice of the House for a question to be allowed on an issue. If it is before the court, I think the practice has been developing, at least, of your being consulted before the matter is brought up.
Mr Speaker: That seems to be a reasonable argument. I will allow the Minister to answer.
Hon Tony Ryall: I know the Hon Nick Smith is always concerned about the victims of sexual abuse. If the member has information that she would like to bring to me on that case, I am sure the Minister will deal with it. It is completely unacceptable if ACC staff have not been dealing with the victims of sexual abuse in a sympathetic and professional way.
Carmel Sepuloni: Does he think it is fair treatment for a senior adviser at ACC not to have the resourcing to provide counselling to a victim of sexual abuse, but to have the resources to sue her for a quarter of a million dollars?
Hon Tony Ryall: I have no information about who is funding any of the suggestions that the member opposite is making in respect of legal action. I do know the Minister is very concerned to make sure that all victims of sexual abuse are dealt with sympathetically and professionally by the ACC.
Carmel Sepuloni: Does the Minister think it is fair treatment for ACC claimants to be subjected to that type of legal action by ACC employees, and can other ACC complainants expect the same “fair” treatment if they dare to speak out?
Hon Tony Ryall: I invite the member to immediately bring the information and concerns that she has to the Minister’s attention. The Minister is always concerned to make sure that the victims of sexual abuse are dealt with sympathetically and professionally by the ACC. If she can show that that is not the case, I am sure the Minister will seek to take action.
Carmel Sepuloni: I seek leave to table a letter by the legal representation for Dr Peter Jansen to the sexual abuse victim accused by Dr Jansen of defamation, dated 12 April 2011.
Mr Speaker: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? Did I hear objection? There is objection.

http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/d/1/f/49HansQ_20110414_00000011-11-Accident-Compensation-Sensitive-Claims.htm

13 August 2010

Clinical psychologist believes ACC changes may not be enough

A news report from Channel 9

Six weeks ago 9 Local News aired a story that involved a local clinical psychologist voicing her concerns about the way ACC was handling sensitive claims, which relate to victims of sexual abuse.
This week ACC Minister Nick Smith has admitted that ACC was handling sensitive claims badly, and has put in place new access to counselling. However the same clinical psychologist we spoke to in June believes the changes are not enough to rectify the ongoing issue.

30 June 2010

Psychologist upset at way ACC manages sensitive claims

A news report from Channel 9

A local clinical psychologist is at her wits end due to changes in the way ACC manage sensitive claims, which are those that usually relate to sexual assault or abuse.
The current situation is resulting in patients that need counselling often left waiting for months for treatment to be approved, and it's a system that as you'll see in this report, has been labelled a complete failure.

© 2010 Channel 9, Dunedin Television

See more at http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/psychologist-upset-way-acc-manage-sensitive-claims