Physios hurting over compo fees

Physiotherapists want an urgent review into the way they are funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation.

They warn that unless that happens some practices will be forced to close.

The Society of Physiotherapists has labelled a proposed increase of 42c a patient by ACC as an "insult" (there have been no increases for 16 years) and seeks a pledge from politicians to ensure the fees are reviewed.

Among the clinics at risk of closure are two in Otara co-owned by NZ Olympic and Commonwealth Games chief physiotherapist Jordan Salesa.

At present physiotherapists enter a regulation contract under which they receive $19 from ACC for each patient.

They can charge clients a co-payment, or they can become part of the Endorsed Provider Network, and receive between $37 and $81 a patient from ACC. The client is not charged anything and the practice must be accredited to join the network.

About half the country's 500 registered physiotherapy practices have signed up with the network since it was launched last year.

Murray Hing, director of Flexa Clinic in Northcote, said the $19 paid by ACC under the regulation contract had not changed in 16 years but practices, particularly those in Auckland, faced increased costs because of inflation and higher rentals.

Mr Hing said that under the network contract his 15 years' experience, including work for a number of New Zealand sports teams, would not be recognised and he would be paid the same as a new graduate.

He charges $120 for an initial consultation and $60 for each subsequent visit.

"For all the years of experience, what's the point of staying on for $19 per treatment?"

Mr Hing said that because of the fixed fees received by network practices, they were more likely to shovel patients through "like a conveyor belt".

Kirsten Davie, president of the physiotherapists' society, feared for the viability of many practices if fees were not increased and said problems with staff recruitment and retention would escalate.

A shortage of physiotherapists would have a serious impact on ACC costs as hospital stays, days off work and the demand for home help services would increase.

The society had received a pledge from NZ First spokesman Peter Brown that he would seek a review if his party was in government.

Mr Salesa, who jointly owns Bairds Rd Physio and Pasifika Physio in Otara, said most of his clients could not afford the minimal $5 co-payment and were not charged.

Since the Otara clinics opened in 2000 they had essentially been subsidised by other clinics that he and colleague Karen Sutton owned in more affluent parts of Auckland where people could afford the co-payment.

Mr Salesa said he wanted ACC to increase the fees they paid physiotherapists and to allow all providers to charge co-payments.

Mr Hing said high-profile physiotherapists who refused to sign a network contract and criticised the system had been subjected to ACC fraud audits. He had been investigated last year and cleared.

ACC said fraud audits had no relation to views expressed about the network.

Physiotherapists

* The average starting salary for a physiotherapist is $33,330 (after completing a four-year degree).

* More than 2100 physiotherapists hold practising certificates (some may not be working).

* The website of the NZ Society of Physiotherapists currently lists 80 vacancies.