15 February 2021
Jan MacPherosn
[FYI request #14294 email] Tēnā koe Jan
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-008293
Thank you for your email of 13 December 2020, asking for the following information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Please advise the protocol in relation to the conduction of Occupational Medicine Assessments
for WRGPI claims. I have received information that states these must be done in person and not
via any other means such as telephone or video link
Method of Assessment
Generally, ACC expects Occupational Medial Assessments to be conducted in person, due to the
complex nature of these assessments. However, during the COVID-19 lockdown period, Telehealth
services were enabled for Occupational Medical Assessments to be conducted via an alternative
method.
Telehealth is the use of information or communication technologies to deliver health care when clients
and care providers are not in the same physical location. For ACC, Telehealth consultations relate to
real-time videoconferencing interactions and telephone consultations to replace an in-person visit.
Telehealth does not include a quick triage or check-in phone calls (unless specified) and does not
encompass methods of electronic messaging such as texts and emails.
As the COVID-19 response is on-going, ACC has continued to enable telehealth services for many of the
contract's providers hold with ACC, including Occupational Medical Assessments. While face-to-face
assessments remain the preference of ACC, on a case-by-case basis providers are able to work with
Recovery Partners if it is clinically appropriate that a client’s vocational independence, related to a work-
related gradual process injury claim, is assessed via alternative means, for example via telephone or
video link.
How to get in touch
If you have any questions, you can email me at
[email address]. Nāku iti noa, nā
Sasha Wood
Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement & Support