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Leader's LetterDecember 2006
At last! An ACC ReviewAt last, after years of underfunding by ACC for services which are vital to injured New Zealanders - and after serious campaigning by New Zealand First - a review of ACC funding for physiotherapy services is now underway. The need for an independent review became apparent after physiotherapists throughout the country raised serious concerns with New Zealand First about ACC fees being too low for many physiotherapists to continue their services. Regulation fees have not been increased in 16 years and there is huge concern that if ACC doesn’t increase its fees, physiotherapists will continue to go overseas for better opportunities, or drop out of the profession altogether. There are also significant concerns about the manner in which ACC interacts with individual physiotherapists. All in all, there is much dissatisfaction within the profession when it comes to ACC. So much so that physiotherapy services that patients need and value are in danger of becoming less available. Already the Physiotherapy Department at the Napier Health Centre has had to close due to lack of staff. New Zealand First has consulted widely with those concerned, including the Minister, over the issues being raised, and subsequently ensured that the Confidence and Supply agreement between New Zealand First and the Government included an independent review of ACC-funded physiotherapy services and accreditation. Physiotherapists are an integral part of patient care in hospitals and private practices, and the time is long overdue for ACC to recognise the profession as supplying an essential professional service. Since physiotherapists are the main group of health professionals helping patients recover from injuries, it is imperative that a firm partnership with ACC exists, so that together they can advance the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. One of the aspects the Reviewer will consider is the state of physiotherapy within New Zealand and ACC’s role in maintaining the profession’s viability. The Review will therefore look at the level of ACC payments to physiotherapists; particularly how the regulated level of payments affects the physiotherapists industry. For example, are practitioners who chose to remain outside the Endorsed Provider Network, being unfairly penalised by ACC? Widespread concerns have also been expressed about certification and the associated compliance costs related to the ACC Endorsed Provider Network as well as what is seen, by some, as an inappropriate culture and attitude by ACC towards physiotherapists relating to audit procedures. The Review will focus on finding practical solutions and will include recommending a set of principles on which to base future rehabilitation policy. This will include delivering a service to all New Zealanders that is also fair to those who provide it. There are currently considerable challenges facing the physiotherapy profession and it is hoped that this Independent Review will go someway to addressing those relating to ACC. The Minister for ACC, in consultation with myself, will monitor the Review progress on a regular basis and a final report is expected by September 2007. So to summarise, this Review will strongly attempt to put physiotherapists on a more professional basis when it comes to ACC. It is a Review that is urgently required by the profession and would not have come about but for the determination and efforts of New Zealand First. Peter Brown MP
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