Transcription (English):

“I would never claim that any system is perfect. But I found the way that New Zealand handles medical mistakes to be interesting. I feel like it would have created more collaborative relationship between doctors and patients. While I still believe that there should be ramifications for doctors that are harming patients through negligence, this creates a better environment to fix small mistakes early.”0

Post caption/description (matches the spoken content):

I would never claim that any system is perfect. But I found the way that New Zealand handles medical mistakes to be interesting. I feel like it would have created more collaborative relationship between doctors and patients. While I still believe that there should be ramifications for doctors that are harming patients through negligence, this creates a better environment to fix small mistakes early. #medicalmalpractice #healthcarereform #newzealand

This is from the Instagram Reel by Sally Primus, MD (@sliceoflifemd). The spoken audio aligns directly with the post’s description. No additional spoken content or differing dialogue was present.

Yes, in New Zealand, compensation for medical negligence or treatment-related injuries is handled through a government no-fault scheme managed by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC).45

Key Features of the System

• No-fault approach: You do not need to prove negligence, fault, or medical error by the doctor or health professional. Compensation focuses on the injury itself rather than suing for damages.20
• Covers everyone: New Zealand residents, citizens, and temporary visitors injured in New Zealand (with some rules for NZ residents injured overseas).47
• Replaces lawsuits: You generally cannot sue for compensatory damages in court (except in rare cases of reckless conduct or exemplary damages). This reduces legal costs and adversarial relationships.21

What Qualifies as a “Treatment Injury”?

A treatment injury must meet these core criteria (per the Accident Compensation Act 2001):

• There is a personal injury (physical harm/damage to the body).
• It was caused by treatment given (or sought) from a registered health professional (doctors, nurses, etc.). Treatment includes diagnosis, procedures, decisions to treat/not treat, delays, consent issues, or device failure.
• It is not a “necessary part” or “ordinary consequence” of the treatment, considering clinical knowledge at the time and the patient’s underlying condition.47

Examples of covered cases: Unexpected complications from surgery, infections from treatment (if not ordinary), harm from delayed care, or device failures.
Not covered: Normal/expected side effects, outcomes due to the patient’s underlying condition, resource allocation decisions (e.g., waiting list delays), or lack of physical injury (e.g., just symptoms like pain without damage).45

Claims are often lodged by your health provider (with your consent) using forms like ACC45 + ACC2152.

What Compensation/Support Does ACC Provide?

If your claim is accepted, ACC helps with recovery and costs (no lump-sum “pain and suffering” like in some court systems, but structured support):

• Treatment and rehabilitation: Medical care, physiotherapy, surgery if needed, aids/equipment, home modifications, vocational retraining.48
• Income support: Up to 80% of your pre-injury earnings (weekly compensation) while you can’t work.
• Permanent impairment: Lump-sum payments for lasting disabilities.
• Other help: Home help, childcare, transport, counselling (including for related mental injuries in some cases).
• For fatal cases: Support for dependents.0

Claims are usually decided within months (faster for straightforward ones). About 60-70% of treatment injury claims are accepted, though this varies.15

How to Claim

1. See your doctor or health provider — they can lodge the claim.
2. Provide medical details and consent.
3. ACC investigates (may request more info).
4. Official website: acc.co.nz — search for “treatment injury” or call 0800 222 070.

This system aims for faster, fairer access to support and encourages reporting for patient safety improvements, while keeping doctor-patient relationships more collaborative.21 For the most up-to-date or case-specific advice, check directly with ACC or a community law centre.