It has come to my attention recently that there may have to be cut backs in office staff throughout New Zealand by the Accident Compensation Corporation. I hope that ACC looks very carefully at its staff as it’s noticeable around communities in New Zealand that the increase in accidents is putting a lot of pressure on front-line staff.
Many of the people who have had accidents, of any sort, need one-to-one counselling. We need the good, experienced front-line staff to help with clients through this time.
People are coming to me and saying they have been assigned a case manager in Dunedin or Hamilton, when they do not live within 100km of these people.
It is important that we increase the number of front-line staff, not decrease the number of ACC staff at all.
A person with a concussion needs to speak one-on-one with their case manager, not consult with them by phone. We need case managers who can see and feel what their client is saying.
