Questions for written answer

1796 (2010). Hon David Parker to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims did ACC receive each month in 2008 and how many of these were declined broken down by claim category?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from 01 January 2008 until 31 December 2008. ACC does not capture specific data, for reporting purposes, regarding the sensitive claim categories. To provide the Member with this information would involve substantial analysis of individual claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/1/c/a/QWA_01796_2010-1796-2010-Hon-David-Parker-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

1797 (2010). Hon David Parker to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims did ACC receive each month in 2009 and how many of these were declined broken down by claim category?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table, which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from 01 January 2009 until 31 December 2009. ACC does not capture specific data, for reporting purposes, regarding the sensitive claims categories. To provide the Member with this information would involve substantial analysis of individual claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/e/b/f/QWA_01797_2010-1797-2010-Hon-David-Parker-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

1798 (2010). Hon David Parker to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims has ACC received each month in 2010 and how many of these were declined, broken down by claim category?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table, which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from 01 January 2010 until 6 March 2010. ACC does not capture specific data, for reporting purposes, regarding the sensitive claim categories. To provide the Member with this information would involve substantial analysis of individual claims.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/d/5/9/QWA_01798_2010-1798-2010-Hon-David-Parker-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

1799 (2010). Hon David Parker to the Minister for ACC: What is the average length of time it has taken ACC to determine whether to accept or decline a sensitive claim for the year to the end of December and how does this compare to the previous year?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table, which shows the average length of time it has taken ACC to determine whether to accept or decline a sensitive claims for the year to the end of December 2008 and 2009.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/3/d/3/QWA_01799_2010-1799-2010-Hon-David-Parker-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

Nick Smith’s mismanagement continues to hurt sexual abuse victims and survivors

A press release from the Labour Party by Lynne Pillay

Victims and survivors of sexual abuse are caught in a bureaucratic nightmare that has seen just 32 people approved for counselling nationally in the first two months of this year, Labour’s Victims Rights spokesperson Lynne Pillay says.
“In January and February 2009 ACC approved 472 sensitive claims enabling survivors of sexual abuse to access the counselling services they need. This year however just 32 people nationally have had their cases for counselling approved for the same period.
“While 112 people have had their cases for ACC support declined and hundreds of people are languishing in no man's land waiting for their claims to be processed,” Lynne Pillay said.
“If this is the National Government’s idea of frontline services, then heaven help anyone who needs support.
“Counsellors and psychotherapists have told me that hold-ups, reams of paperwork and blatant cost cutting are now the norm when they try to support a sexual abuse victim’s case for counselling,
“Changes made by the National Government for people accessing counselling services have been an unmitigated disaster that has caused people who have suffered at the hands of sexual predators even more suffering.
“ACC Minister Nick Smith promised to hold a six monthly review of the changes he has initiated. However, nearly six months after first announcing the review he has yet to even determine the Terms of Reference and so far not one psychotherapist who I have had contact with has been consulted about the review.
“I now firmly believe that under pressure from victims, survivors, counsellors and the public Dr Smith simply announced a review without actually doing anything about it.
“Meanwhile people in desperate need of counselling services are going without, because Dr Smith simply refuses to accept that the policy that he instituted is failing dismally.
“Dr Smith’s entire handling of this issue is a disgrace. His changes have moved the goalposts now making it almost impossible for victims and survivors to receive the help they deserve
“Professionals working in this field have described the new process and guidelines a bureaucratic minefield that it is designed to cut costs rather than help those victims and survivors who have sought help.
“People who have suffered at the hands of paedophiles and rapists deserve better,” Lynne Pillay said.

See also: http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1003/01228_2010__PQ_01228_2010_Table.pdf

http://www.labour.org.nz/news/nick-smith%E2%80%99s-mismanagement-continues-hurt-sexual-abuse-victims-and-survivors

Women's rights slipping in New Zealand

A blog entry from E2NZ

On International Women’s Day we thought we’d do a round up of just three issues that impact on women in present day New Zealand and look to see what progress, if any, is being made with them. What we found is that women’s affairs are going backwards ...

Read the rest of this entry at http://emigratetonewzealand.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/womens-rights-slipping-in-new-zealand/

Questions for written answer

1710 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC (05 Mar 2010): How many sensitive claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2008 and January and February 2009, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table, which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from 01 November 2008 to 28 February 2009, by region of accident, and including the decision status of the claim. I caution the member from using data over such a short time frame to draw significant conclusions, particularly the months around Christmas when claims numbers can vary due to holiday periods for practitioners.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/f/d/6/QWA_01710_2010-1710-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

1711 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: How many sensitive claims were lodged, and how many did ACC approve and decline in November and December 2009 and January and February 2010, by region?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: Corrected reply: I refer the Member to the attached table which shows all new sensitive claims lodged with ACC from 01 November 2009 to 28 February 2010. The table shows the regions in which the accidents were recorded, and the claim’s current decision status. When collecting the data on claims where a decision has not been made, ACC has also attempted to gather information about the reasons for the delay. These reasons have been grouped into two categories, awaiting necessary external information, and under assessment by ACC for claims decision. In the latter, the assumption is that ACC has received sufficient information to begin deliberating on the cover decision. I would caution the member around drawing conclusions over just a four month period, covering Christmas, when data for this period is atypical as a consequence of many people taking holidays during January.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/b/6/d/QWA_01711_2010-1711-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

Questions for written answer

1328 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What committees, taskforces, or other work groups has he or his officials established since 1 January 2010, relating to sensitive claims?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: There have been no committees, taskforces, or other work groups relating to Sensitive Claims established since 1 January 2010. The Member may wish to note that I have asked, and ACC have agreed that an independent review of the new clinical guidelines be conducted 6 months after they have been implemented.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/a/2/3/QWA_01328_2010-1328-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm

1329 (2010). Lynne Pillay to the Minister for ACC: What, if any, written reports relating to sensitive claims has he received since 1 January 2010, by date and title?
Hon Dr Nick Smith (Minister for ACC) replied: The Member has other, more appropriate, avenues to request such information.
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QWA/c/5/6/QWA_01329_2010-1329-2010-Lynne-Pillay-to-the-Minister-for-ACC.htm