Yay, Sue Walton and I can now write Medical Certificates! Thanks ACC.
Ok, we can't really but I wanted to highlight that there is a prescribed process GP's, nurse practitioners, and medical specialists have to follow.
ACC has a set of rules as does the Medical Council of NZ as to the process that has to be followed. Please note the 'has to be followed' part. This is compulsory. On top of that, ACC has also created a specific training resource to support understanding and manage expectations aka the course I just did.
All really good stuff and something we applaud.
Except, there is zero accountability when the process isn't followed. From what we can see, there is zero vetting of med certs; zero peer reviews; zero external moderation; zero requirement to do this course... zero checks to give employers the confidence that there is integrity with the creation of med certs.
That's ok, we get it. The med cert is all about the worker not the employer... except the employer pays the first week wages at 80% and pays ACC levy penalties via experience rating when a worker is off on ACC compensation. For your typical transport, trades, construction, etc a 100 days off where the worker(s) receive ACC weekly comp, the employer pays circa $2,000 in ACC penalties for a three year period. Ouch.
Now, if a worker does not actually need time off work because the employer can accommodate alternative duties then why should they be forced to pay 80% of the wage for zero return? Why should a worker get time off on ACC comp if the injury doesn't actually justify it?
I know I am Dutch and I have to temper my 'short arms and deep pockets' syndrome but this is really not good enough.
This is why we exist. To make sure you are treated fairly and equitably.
We hold GP's, nurse practitioners and medical specialists accountable. Let's treat rehab with the professionalism it deserves as we are dealing with real people, real injuries and real financial costs.
