1. Hon TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Minister for ACC
What progress has been made in responding to the recommendation from the Government-appointed reviewer, David Goddard QC, that physiotherapists needed a 33 percent increase immediately as “ACC funding arrangements for physiotherapists are unsustainable.”?
Hon MARYAN STREET (Minister for ACC) Link to this
I have asked officials to work with the physiotherapy sector to establish a funding model to address the sustainability of physiotherapy services.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Is it appropriate for physiotherapists to bear an unfair proportion of the cost of treating injuries; if not, what will this Government do to address this concern?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
Officials are currently engaged in exploring how physiotherapy services may be sustainably funded.
Sue MoroneyHon MARYAN STREET Link to this
Several. For instance, the Labour-led Government has raised the regulated physiotherapy rates by over 28 percent. However, a previous funding adjustment in 1992 resulted in funding to physiotherapists being slashed by 15 percent. That generous adjustment happened under the previous National Government.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
What action will the Minister take to prevent physiotherapists from leaving for better pay in Australia or opting out of the profession altogether for greater security, less stress, and better pay in other occupations?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
The reviewer noted, in fact, that there was no evidence to suggest that New Zealand was materially out of step with comparable jurisdictions in retaining senior members of the physiotherapy profession.
Peter BrownIn light of that answer, will the Minister scotch a particular rumour and confirm for the benefit of this House and the wider public that the Government is more than satisfied with the review, the manner in which it was conducted, and the analysis that the reviewer obtained in order to make his findings; in short, will she confirm that the review was very well done and the reviewer came to a justified conclusion?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
The review was very competently done and addressed the questions and the terms of reference set down for it.
Will the Minister confirm that the physiotherapy profession conducted itself in a proper and responsible manner in calling for this review and was totally supportive of it, and will she confirm also that physiotherapists play an exceedingly important role in rehabilitating accident victims; if she can confirm those two assertions, can she advise why the Government in the recent Budget did not move some way at all towards a 33 percent increase and instead treated these people like overlooked women and men?
Hon MARYAN STREET Link to this
I can confirm those two things. However, the evidence needed to ensure that a sustainable rate of pay is arrived at for physiotherapists was not present in that review.