Gosche Mark: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Gosche Mark: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:616;Page:11630] 
2.  
Hon MARK GOSCHE (Labour—Maungakiekie) 
 to the  
Minister for ACC 
: What is she doing to make the ACC medical misadventure provisions fairer and more consistent? 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Minister for ACC) 
: 
 Earlier today I was delighted to announce a sweeping revamp of the accident compensation medical misadventure provisions that will simplify and shorten the claims process while creating a strong partnership between the corporation and the health sector that will promote better and safer delivery of medical services in New Zealand. 
Hon Mark Gosche 
: How will the changes promote better and safer delivery of medical services? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: The changes remove the requirement to find fault of a practitioner thereby removing the disincentive for practitioners to cooperate with the Accident Compensation Corporation in resolving a claim. The new system clears the way for claims on treatment injuries to be dealt with promptly and for practitioners to learn from their mistakes and prevent them happening again. 
Dr Paul Hutchison 
: Why should the taxpayer have any faith in the estimated cost of the new provisions—an extra $8.69 million per year—and can she guarantee there will be no cost blowouts? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: We can all have faith in those figures not only being a well-calculated estimate but also a very conservative estimate. But no like any responsible politician I could not give a guarantee for something over which I have no control. 
Peter Brown 
: Why cannot legislation covering medical misadventure be fast tracked and brought on earlier than February next year? The Minister must recall discussing this issue with myself on behalf of New Zealand First years ago and the heartache and concerns that surround it so why cannot she fast track this type of legislation? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: The proposed changes are due to be introduced later this year when the legislation has been prepared and will be referred to a select committee with the proposed implementation date at the beginning of February next year. The select committee may recommend that that be earlier and that would be then a determination of the House. 
Sue Bradford 
: Why does the Minister support a reduction in accident compensation reporting requirements and an increased dependence on the capacity of patients to make formal complaints to the Health and Disability Commissioner in relation to incidents of medical misadventure when situations such as that around Dr Perry in Northland show how difficult it is for injured and desperate individuals to make any impact on entrenched systems? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: The reporting procedure is not a lower threshold. It is in fact heightened and further strengthened by the greater number of people who will be covered by the provisions. The first point is through the Health and Disability Commissioner and the second point is that if the Accident Compensation Corporation determines because of the nature of the injury that there is any risk of harm to the public that will be reported to the appropriate authority. 
Hon Mark Gosche 
: How has the health sector responded to the announced change? 
Hon RUTH DYSON 
: Very positively. A number of organisations have welcomed the move including the Medical Council the Medical Association and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. The Health and Disability Commissioner said it will be good for patients good for health professionals and that more patients will get compensation without compromising accountability and safety.