Media Release
2 November 2009
GPs’ College welcomes evidence-based care guidelines
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has welcomed moves by ACC to follow evidence-based care
guidelines for sensitive claims clients.
College president, Dr Harry Pert, said the new guidelines will ensure patients receive best practice care that has been
proven to deliver optimum results.
“The team approach has been proven to be the most effective in cases of mild to moderate mental injury.” Dr Pert said.
“Recent pilot programmes have shown that very good results come from doctors working together with counsellors,
psychologists and others.”
“ACC’s practice guidelines for sexual abuse and mental injury will strengthen these results still further. All the
clinical evidence suggests the new approach ACC is adopting will be in the best interests of the patient,” Dr Pert said.
“By working with psychologists early on, GPs, counsellors and others will be able to provide the best and most focussed
care possible.”
ACC’s new treatment framework is in line with the recommendations of the Massey guidelines for the assessment and
treatment of mental injury as a result of sexual assault and sexual abuse.
Published in 2008, the Massey guidelines outline a clear, evidence-based approach for the most effective treatment and
rehabilitation of people who have suffered sexual abuse.
“The provision of safe, quality treatment and care that suits patients’ needs and provides them with the very best
health outcomes, is a major goal of the College. It is very pleasing to know that ACC’s new approach is based on
extensive research and clinical evidence,” Dr Pert said.
ENDS