“Proposed Accident Compensation Levy For Doctors Unfair; Conflicts With Government’s Principles”

“The proposal to impose an accident compensation levy on doctors is unfair and conflicts with the Government’s own principles over accident compensation,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“The levy was first put in legislation by the former National government that was trying to move away from the fundamental ‘no-fault’ principle that underlies the accident compensation scheme. This including introducing new charges (the levy) and setting the scene for the privatisation that it imposed in its last year of office.”

“The new Labour-Alliance government is committed to restoring the ‘no-fault’ principle. It has already honoured its commitment to overturn the privatisation of accident compensation but this levy sits there like a contradictory eyesore.”

“The levy is also unfair because doctors are responding on request to accidents and mishaps that have already happened. They are different from medical error which is a very small part of their accident work.”

“Doctors already pay similar annual levies to the Medical Council covering their practising certificate and discipline. Now they might be forced to pay twice to a different organisation for a similar purpose,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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