Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/32918-mitigating-potential-conflicts-of-interest-for-referrers on November 26, 2025 10:42

Mitigating potential conflicts of interest for referrers.

Paul Stewart made this Official Information request to Accident Compensation Corporation

Currently waiting for a response from Accident Compensation Corporation, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).

From: Paul Stewart

Dear Accident Compensation Corporation,

I am a Health researcher conducting research on the funding of NZ health services. In particular the arrangements around the funding of procedures or health interactions where a conflict of interest may arise for one or more parties. For example, the forthcoming Medical Products Bill would theoretically allow Doctors to own Pharmacies and potentially profit from writing prescriptions and directing patients to their own business to have them filled. I understand that similar conflicts may currently exist in ACC funded healthcare where Doctors can refer patients covered by ACC for tests that the referring Doctor may have a financial interest in the delivery of. In short, I have concerns around managing the conflicts of interest that arise in a vertically integrated healthcare model where referrers will increasingly have a financial interest that potentially conflicts with the best interests of the patient and the funder (private, public, ACC, insurance etc)

I would be interested in any information that ACC can provide me with around the consideration of such potential conflicts of interest. Any guidelines around how such conflicts are managed. If such guidelines exist then any information around how they were derived. Any financial analysis of the potential costs of vertical integration (referrers owning or otherwise having an arrangement with referees). Any ethical analysis of the potential risks and harms to patients. Any legal analysis of the potential risks and liabilities. Any other information that ACC holds that may be of relevance to my concerns.

Yours faithfully,

Paul Stewart

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From: Government Services
Accident Compensation Corporation

Kia ora,

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