17 July 2008
Media release
ACC Review Sensible
A full review of ACC has the potential to achieve more effective rehabilitation of injured New Zealanders, the Group
Chief Executive of Southern Cross Healthcare, Dr Ian McPherson, said today.
"The National Party policy talks about a stock take and an investigation into opening the Work Account up to
competition. We would support such a review if the intention is to evaluate how we can improve health outcomes for New
Zealanders," he said.
"The ACC scheme is good, and the envy of many other countries, but that does not mean it cannot be improved. A number of
studies, including the PriceWaterhouseCoopers review released in March, have already concluded that there is room for
improvement in areas such as rehabilitation and injury prevention.
"Southern Cross is already working with a number of New Zealand businesses in the areas of rehabilitation, case
management and return to work programmes for injured employees. We're helping companies get people rehabilitated and
back to work earlier after injuries . We're also helping with wellness programmes to prevent long-term or chronic health
problems."
Dr McPherson said Southern Cross, is a totally New Zealand not-for-profit Friendly Society with health care at its core,
ensuring that should it get further involved in workplace rehabilitation no monies would be lost to private or offshore
interests.
Southern Cross has experience in rehabilitation and case management through the Southern Cross Medical Care Society's
subsidiary business Care Advantage and could usefully contribute to any evaluation of opening up the ACC Work Account to
competition.
"Southern Cross is happy to work with anyone who shares the goal of improving the health and productivity of New
Zealanders and the New Zealand workforce."
- Ends -
About Southern Cross:
Southern Cross Healthcare is one of New Zealand's best known and most trusted brands, offering a broad range of
health-related services to New Zealanders since the early 1960s. The Southern Cross Healthcare Group consists of two
separate organisations - Southern Cross Medical Care Society offering health insurance and related services, and
Southern Cross Health Trust, operating 10 wholly-owned hospitals and three joint venture hospitals along with Southern
Cross Travel Insurance.
ENDS