A review of how the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) handles sensitive claims says the organisation is making good progress overall but there's still more work to be done.
A review of ACC's sensitive claims clinical pathway was ordered by former ACC Minister Nick Smith in April last year, with a report last September, and two further reports six and 18 months later.
The final review, by Barbara Disley, was released today.
She said excellent progress had been made on providing immediate support to sexual abuse and assault survivors.
"The most far reaching change for clients has been the introduction of the 16 support sessions and this has enhanced client safety by enabling access to immediate support. The number of days taken for clients to access support has dramatically decreased as a result," Dr Disley said.
ACC had removed barriers so clients who had previously been granted cover for counselling could return more easily, but needed to do further work to ensure its interpretation of the cause of mental injury, resulting from sexual assault or abuse, was consistent, she said.
While ACC had made progress on making client management and communications more client-focused, and its child and adolescent areas were doing well at this, more work was needed for ACC to be client-focused toward adults.
Further work was also needed on processes for Maori clients and "other needs groups".
The corporation has made limited progress on a recommendation that it establish a working party of professional groups to ensure treatment and assessment providers are "fit for purpose" and meet quality standards.
Dr Disley also commented on a number of issues outside of the scope of the review, including whether an insurance-driven model is appropriate for assessment and support of sexual assault survivors, or whether a primary health or social services umbrella should manage initial services, with ACC paying cover.
A case could also be made for contracting out some of ACC's work, such as managing the initial 16 support sessions, she said.
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