Who would not be pleased to hear that a Hastings nurse, who was attacked by a psychiatric patient 15 years ago, has successfully appealed an ACC review decision which would have denied her cover for treatment.
We often hear stories of the medical treatment that taxpayers fund for prisoners, soit is great to see our money being spent on someone who truly deserves it.
Anne-Marie Wilson was attacked by a patient on July 29, 2000, being repeatedly punched and the kicked as she tried to protect herself after being knocked to the ground. Injuries eventually led to loss of her right kidney which had to be removed. That treatment and surgery was covered by ACC. However, the problem arose several years later when Mrs Wilson was admitted to hospital in 2009 and diagnosed a painful condition called loin pain haematuria syndrome.
A specialist considered the assault was likely to have led to the condition, but ACC turned down her claim for further cover after receiving an opinion from one of its consultants.
Judge Neil MacLean, who heard the appeal last month in Wellington District Court, has ruled in Mrs Wilson's favour. He did so because her doctor later discovered an injury to the left kidney and the judge determined Mrs Wilson's specialist to be more familiar with the kidney conditions and the patient.
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It is fantastic news for Mrs Wilson, but one can only imagine the years of pain and suffering she has been through.
I am all for ACC being tightened so that people don't take advantage of it, but a case like this should have been an open and shut one. ACC has failed Mrs Wilson, by putting her through even more stress instead of simply accepting that it needed to cover her expenses.
