Just 285 birth injury claims accepted

Just 285 ACC claims for maternal birth injuries have been accepted in the six weeks since the ‘‘biggest’’ law change to the scheme in recent years came into effect.

The Accident Compensation (Maternal Birth Injury and Other Matters) Amendment Act was predicted to help up to 18,000 more new mothers per year access treatment for childbirth-related injuries after it came into force on October 1. However, ACC has acknowledged that the actual number of claims covered by the legislation so far was ‘‘less than modelling had suggested’’.

Caitlin Day, of Auckland’s The Vagina Physio, said some midwives seemed ‘‘confused’’ about what injuries were covered. ‘‘It sounds like they’re only making claims for severe injuries . . . [even though] any sort of tear will be covered.’’

Day said if a woman had a birth injury, but did not experience ongoing problems, it was often still in the woman’s best interest for a birth healthcare provider to lodge a claim on her behalf. ‘‘That person might start to get symptoms related to that tear in three years’ time.’’

More education and clarity from ACC for healthcare providers about the specifics of birth injury coverage could help make it more accessible, Day said.