PETER BROWN MP
DEPUTY LEADER

Media Release
31 August 2005

NZF Calls For ACC Review For Physios

New Zealand First’s ACC spokesperson Peter Brown is calling for an urgent review of contracts and of fees paid to physiotherapists for services provided to ACC claimants.

Mr Brown has received well over 1,000 letters from physiotherapists and patients around the country, seeking a review of fees paid to them by ACC for their services and signalling problems with the retention and recruitment of physiotherapists as a result.

“The lack of increase in regulated fees, restricted contract frameworks, and increasing business costs over an extended period of time are having an adverse effect on the financial viability of physiotherapists.

“It is essential that we review the efficacy and fairness of the system for all medical practitioners involved in the interest of improving delivery of entitlements, cost effectiveness and performance so that we have the best means of providing this cover.

“Physiotherapists are absolutely crucial in the rehabilitation of injuries and getting people out of hospital beds and back to work. We need to ensure that they are on a more level playing field so that they can continue to provide quality services to those who need it,” said Mr Brown.

ENDS

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