It is not known when the Otago District Health Board will
find out whether it is allowed to impose part-charges for
patients receiving physiotherapy following accidents.
Health Minister Tony Ryall this month imposed a moratorium on
such payments after the Otago board announced its intention
to introduce a $10 charge for patients this week when its ACC
physiotherapy contract changed in common with other
providers.
In an email response to Otago Daily Times questions, Ministry
of Health group manager (strategy unit, health and disability
systems strategy directorate) Mark Booth advised the ministry
would be carrying out "policy work on wider issues" related
to the change and its potential health-sector impact.
The ministry had asked district health boards to nominate
members for a team of clinicians and managers to assist with
this policy work process.
A question relating to why the possibility district health
boards might want to introduce charges had not been addressed
earlier was answered neither by the Ministry of Health, nor
by Mr Ryall's own office.
