When a psychiatrist writes an 'unclear' report
Gladys Webster made this Official Information request to Accident Compensation Corporation
The request was partially successful.
From: Gladys Webster
Dear Accident Compensation Corporation,
A friend had a Medical Council confidential ruling come back against one of the SCU female regularly used psychiatrists. The Medical Council found that her manner was not empathetic, her report was not clearly written and that the treatment recommendations were in conflict with current treatment providers.
What actions are scu going to take in this matter? Medical Council findings show a breach of contract to the claimant and that the said psychiatrist has caused harm? Is this acceptable??
Yours faithfully,
Gladys Webster
From: Gladys Webster
Dear Accident Compensation Corporation,
I note the response to this request is long overdue. It would be in the public interest to release transparency of how ACC deals with their (employee/contracted) assessors when a claimant provides a Medical Council adverse ruling regarding the assessor.
Yours faithfully,
Gladys Webster
From: Claire Stearne
Accident Compensation Corporation
Dear Gladys
Thank you for your email. The response to your request was emailed to
[OIA #837 email] on Tuesday 23 April at
12.40 pm.
For your information I have copied the response below.
Regards, Claire Stearne
Claire Stearne, Acting Team Manager, ACC
Tel (04) 816-7053 / Ext 47053 / Mobile (027) 212-2257
ACC / Government Services / Justice Centre - Level 7
PO Box 242 / Wellington 6011 / New Zealand / www.acc.co.nz
ACC cares about the environment - please don't print this email
unless it is really necessary. Thank you.
From: On Behalf Of Sensitive Claims
Sent: Tuesday, 23 April 2013 12:40 p.m.
To: '[OIA #837 email]'
Subject: For the attention of Gladys Webster
Dear Gladys,
Thank you for your email dated 16 April 2013 asking for information
under the Official Information Act 1982.
You requested that ACC comment on a confidential ruling made by a
Medical Counsel your friend has received in regards to a sensitive
claim.
ACC is not able to provide this information as it would be inappropriate
to do so as there is a need to protect people's privacy (including that
of people who have died). We have also been unable to identify why the
release of this information would be in the public interest. This
decision complies with section 9(2)(a) of the Act.
If you're still not happy, you may make a complaint to the Office of the
Ombudsmen. You can call them on 0800 802 602, 9am to 5pm weekdays, or
write to:
The Office of the Ombudsmen
P O Box 10 152
WELLINGTON 6143
I am sorry to hear of you're friend's experience. Your friend is welcome
to contact ACC directly if she would like to discuss this matter
further.
Kind Regards,
Po. box 1426, Wellington.
ACC cares about the environment - please don't print this email unless
it is really necessary. Thank you.
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From: Gladys Webster
Dear Claire Stearne,
Thank you for the reply. The question was purely one of policy - nothing to do with breaching any privacy of either a senior ACC assessor or client name.
To clarify: If a sensitive claimant provides ACC with a Medical Council adverse ruling against one of their senior assessors, how can the claimant be sure ACC acts on the finding?
A Medical Council ruling is very difficult to come by when dealing with 3rd party assessors so points to serious shortfalls in the assessor's own practise. How can the public be sure they are "safe" when being sent to an assessor, whose manner was found to be not empathetic among other findings (See also Disley Report where assessments are expected to contribute to the recovery process).
My friend is very concerned that ACC are still using this unsuitable assessor and placing other sensitive claimants, their disclosure of abuse (many struggle in this area) and interpreted information at risk. NZLII also features this psychiatrist - finding she does not take enough account of trauma and abuse effects. ACCForum has plenty of feedback too, and it is not acceptable that SCU continue to send claimants to an assessor that has been found in error. Where does money become the motivation for the 3rd party assessor?(Medical Journal, 2013).
My friend was very badly harmed by this assessor and this needs to be public knowledge to protect the "safety" of other vulnerable women and men!!!! At least they need to have a choice and be forewarned that this assessor has been found to have some inadequacy from their own registering body, (Medical Council).
SO then, what policy does ACC have in place around the harm caused by their assessors (when a Medical Council ruling is finally obtained) to sensitive claimants?
Yours sincerely,
Gladys Webster
From: Hugh McIlraith
Accident Compensation Corporation
Dear Ms Webster,
Thank you for your email of 9 July 2013 requesting information about
"What policy does ACC have in place around the harm caused by their
assessors (when a medical council ruling is finally obtained) to sensitive
claimants".
ACC is working on your request and will be in touch with you as soon as
possible, and certainly by 6 August 2013.
Please contact me if you have any questions regarding this letter.
Yours sincerely,
Hugh McIlraith, Advisor, ACC
ACC / Government Services / Justice Centre - Level 7
PO Box 242 / Wellington 6011 / New Zealand / www.acc.co.nz
ACC cares about the environment – please don’t print this email
unless it is really necessary. Thank you.
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From: Loren Bennett
Accident Compensation Corporation
Dear Ms Webster
Please find a letter attached regarding your Official Information Act
request.
Regards
Loren Bennett
Loren Bennett, Advisor, ACC
ACC / Government Services / Justice Centre - Level 7
PO Box 242 / Wellington 6011 / New Zealand / www.acc.co.nz
ACC cares about the environment – please don’t print this email
unless it is really necessary. Thank you.
show quoted sections
From: Hugh McIlraith
Accident Compensation Corporation
Dear Ms Webster, I have attached a copy of ACC's response to your Official
Information Act request.
Regards
Hugh McIlraith, Advisor, ACC
ACC / Government Services / Justice Centre - Level 7
PO Box 242 / Wellington 6011 / New Zealand / www.acc.co.nz
ACC cares about the environment – please don’t print this email
unless it is really necessary. Thank you.
show quoted sections
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