5. MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) Link to this
to the Minister for ACC
What initiatives has the Accident Compensation Corporation undertaken to improve rehabilitation rates, and what reports has he received on the success of these programmes?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for ACC) Link to this
Over the last 18 months the corporation has been working very hard to improve rehabilitation rates, with more effective triaging of claims; specialist case management, such as the Recover Independence Service; and the National Serious Injury Service. New services have also been developed to improve rehabilitation outcomes, such as Stay at Work, and Better at Work, and the comprehensive vocational rehabilitation service. Those changes have delivered a dramatic turn-round in rehabilitation rates across all of the accounts of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), which consistently show improvements at the 3-month, 6-month, 9-month, and 12-month rehabilitation reporting times.
Michael Woodhouse Link to this
How do those rehabilitation rates compare with the record of the last 6 years?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
When I look at the 6-month rehabilitation rate, it shows a decline from 86 percent in 2004 to 85 percent in 2005, 84 percent in 2006, 83 percent in 2007, and 82 percent in 2008. Over the last 18 months we have been able to undo at least 4 years of that trend, with a 3 percent improvement in those rehabilitation rates. I point out to the House that a 1 percent change in the rehabilitation rate changes the liabilities by $500 million. That is one of the reasons we have seen such a dramatic turn-round in accident compensation finances.
Michael Woodhouse Link to this
How confident is the Minister that ongoing improvements in rehabilitation rates can be achieved?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I am confident, because the board, the management, and the staff of ACC throughout New Zealand recognise how important rehabilitation is to both claimants and levy payers. All members of this House should welcome the improved rehabilitation, which enables people to get back to work and get their lives back to normal after an accident, and that is why I think everyone in this House should congratulate ACC on the significant improvements.