Introduction
The NZDF agrees with the principles established in The Woodhouse Report which form the foundation of the ACC system. The Report defines rehabilitation as “the restoration of the handicapped to the fullest physical, mental, social, vocational and economic usefulness of which they are capable’. It is a total process which begins with the earliest treatment of the injury or disease. It does not end until everything has been done to achieve maximum social and economic independence.”
Though the current Act provides rehabilitation services, it fails to specifically cite rehabilitation as an entitlement for eligible Service members. Going forward, the NZDF recommends that the emphasis be on rehabilitation in the broad sense rather than compensation, focusing on a needs-based approach that aims at restoring the Service member’s quality of life. The range of forms of rehabilitation should be as comprehensive as possible within budgetary constraints, and should proactively target the needs of the recipient.
Question 55
Should a new Act require rehabilitation to be provided to veterans?
Rehabilitation plays an integral role in the ACC scheme and the new Act should therefore offer comparable coverage, extended to impairments that ACC does not cover such as disease and some psychological conditions.
Question 55 Personnel Feedback
Focus Groups A dominant theme in Focus Group discussions was the need for the new Act to emphasize rehabilitation and the maintenance of a high quality of life for all Service members with service-related impairments, as well as their families. As a participant explained, “It’s not as simple as paying an allowance or lump sum to someone on operations who was there as requested by government, I think there’s a moral obligation on behalf of the government to do whatever they can do to make things better”.
Question 56
What should be the aim of rehabilitation and what components of rehabilitation should the Act provide for?
The new Act should align the aim and components of rehabilitation with the existing ACC scheme to ensure a consistent approach for Service members who may be entitled under both schemes, and provide the best treatment for all eligible personnel. The components of rehabilitation should be;
- physical and medical
- socio-psychological
- vocational
Question 56 Personnel Feedback
Focus Groups – The overwhelming response of participants was that Service members should be entitled to any and all forms of rehabilitation required to return them to the same quality of life they enjoyed prior to the impairment. Additionally, many commented that the rehabilitation should be based on the needs of the individual. As one participant explained, “It’s not as simple as paying an allowance or lump sum to someone hurt on operations who was there as requested by government. I think there’s a moral obligation on behalf of the government to do whatever they can do to make things better”.
Question 57
Should the NZDF should continue to be responsible for the rehabilitation of disabled veterans who continue to serve?
The NZDF already provides comprehensive medical coverage including rehabilitation for Service personnel during their service and this should not be changed. The restructure of VANZ as an operational unit under the NZDF will have a role in the management provision of rehabilitation for serving and ex-service personnel.
As an ACC Accredited Employer, the NZDF cannot contract out its responsibility to rehabilitate currently serving disabled personnel.
Question 58
What should a veteran’s obligations be in relation to rehabilitation?
The Service member should be required to agree and sign a rehabilitation plan, which the member will have a duty to undertake. In order to be effective, the rehabilitation plan may require associated penalties or sanctions for non-compliance.
Question 59
Should a veteran be required to undertake rehabilitation before receiving compensation for a disability?
Yes – There should be a duty on Service members to undertake their agreed rehabilitation plan. However, while undertaking rehabilitation, the Service member must be provided with adequate support.
Question 59 Personnel Feedback
Focus Groups – Participants resoundingly stated that Service members should be expected to undertake rehabilitation, not only in the spirit of fairness, but even more so to live up the values and ethos characteristic of military personnel. One participant explained, “I think most people in the military will take the opportunity to better themselves…we don’t join the military to sit around and collect the benefit”. Focus Groups also emphasised, however, that the requirement to rehabilitate should not be used as a tool to deny financial compensation – “Most military members will undertake rehab because they’ll want to make their lives better, but in the event they don’t, they should not be penalized by the removal of financial assistance”.
Question 60
Do you think that rehabilitation services could be provided in certain cases to a veteran’s partner or, if the veteran has died, the surviving partner?
Yes, in relation to retraining for partners and career support, including psychological support. This, however, may be determined by NZDF policy decisions.
Question 60 Personnel Feedback
Focus Groups – In the event of disablement or death, the majority of participants felt that the support provided for the Service member’s family was vastly more important than the support provided for the actual Service member. As one participant stated, “Recognition of families is the most important form of support. For us, going on operations is satisfying and rewarding, but for families it’s all about the separation – they need of recognition for their sacrifice”. Many contended that this recognition should come in the form of targeted assistance similar, if not equal, to the rehabilitation services provided to the Service member, including:
- Training for the spouse for financial support
- Development needs for the children
- Counselling, mental and psychological support for whole family
- Option to continue to access base services
- Relocation assistance
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