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.
Communities throughout New Zealand must be treated humanely. They are not just numbers.
Good front-line case managers make somebody who is feeling down and out confident to heal themselves and become active members of their community again.
Pauline E Tangiora
