Disabled New Zealanders face unequal access to rehab services
Disabled New Zealanders are not getting equal access to rehabilitation services, says New Zealand Rehabilitation
Association president Dr Samir Anwar.
“It seems unfair that disabled people, with a similar level of disability, get a better deal if they are covered by ACC
rather than funded by the Ministry of Health or Disability Support Services,” says Dr Anwar.
“There appears to be a multi-tiered system of rehab service delivery to people with disabilities in New Zealand, and
this has led to a lack of equity in the provision of rehabilitation,” he explains.
This issue will be at the top of the agenda when the association’s biannual conference is held from 17 November to 19
November at the Telstra Clear Events Centre in Auckland.
A panel of experts will debate the inequalities faced by disabled New Zealanders seeking rehabilitation on Friday 18
November from 3.30pm to 5pm. Representatives from consumer groups, private and public rehabilitation providers, advocacy
groups, ACC and the Ministry of Health will contribute to the discussion.
The multi-disciplinary conference will discuss other issues facing rehabilitation specialists and clinicians as well as
examining cutting edge research and developments in the field. Researchers from the University of Auckland’s School of
Population Health will present results from a major study into strokes amongst Aucklanders.
“More and more New Zealanders are affected by strokes and these results raise serious implications about the funding and
planning for this significant health condition,” says Dr Anwar.
A range of prominent international and national speakers will address key issues facing the rehabilitation sector
throughout the conference. Other topics to be covered include: the use of everyday technology - such as mobile phones -
to help those with brain injuries, the barriers experienced by Maori during stroke recovery, and the current climate of
pain management in New Zealand.
ENDS