Support group Acclaim Otago has welcomed ACC’s new service, which aims to address challenges that people who want to dispute ACC decisions face, but is doubtful that the service will resolve issues.
“While this is a start, it most definitely is not the solution,” Acclaim Otago spokeperson Denise Powell said.
Powell, in a statement, said this has been a very slow process. She said it was nearly two years ago that Nicki Kaye – then Minister for ACC – ACC and MBIE were provided with Miriam Dean QC’s report (May 2016), which recommended funding a free nationwide advocacy service modelled broadly on the Health and Disability Commission Advocacy Service.
Since that time, Acclaim Otago said it contributed to ACC’s consultations with the sector – the approach identified being the creation of a new one-stop shop advocacy entity similar to the Health and Disability Advocacy service also identified by Dean.
“This unfortunately seems to have been ignored based on timeliness and cost,” Powell said. “Our key concern is the fact that the Dean Review clearly identified the need for people who wish to dispute an ACC decision to have better access to lawyers and advocates and recommended a free nationwide advocacy service as part of that.”
Acclaim Otago said ACC is sidestepping the recommendation by claiming this is a “navigation service” rather than an advocacy service.
“Navigation through a process is not advocacy, and as such falls short of the review’s recommendation in our opinion,” Powell said.
Acclaim Otago also said that a report produced ibn 2017, titled “Solving the Problem,” holds the answer to this and the other issues confirmed as valid by the Dean Review.
“Establishing a personal injury commissioner, who would have independent oversight including provision of a robust advocacy service and that could work in the same way as the Health and Disability Commissioner, would definitely improve transparency and access to justice issue,” Powell said.
