We addressed and resolved more historical abuse claims
Our Claims Resolution team works with people who were abused or neglected in the care, custody or guardianship of, or who had come to the notice of, MSD or its predecessors before 1 January 2008 [25]. We listen to their experiences and assess their claim to determine whether the care they received was of an acceptable standard and to understand how they may have been harmed.
As at 30 June 2018 we had resolved 1,727 of the 3,010 claims we had received, and made apologies and payments totalling over $26 million to 1,398 people. Individual payments generally range between $10,000 and $80,000.
We are receiving more new claims than ever before. In 2017 we received 431 claims, the highest number ever in a calendar year and exceeding the previous high of 364 in 2015.
Ensuring our resolution process is thorough and high-quality means it is resource intensive and can take longer. As a result there is an increasing backlog of claims waiting to be assessed. However, we also want to ensure that claimants have their concerns heard and that we take appropriate actions to address these as soon as possible, and we have been working to improve the efficiency of our processes.
Several factors, including tribunal proceedings and the announcement of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care [26], have caused delays in implementing these changes. We want to ensure that any changes we make to our processes meet the needs of all claimants and support them through the claims process.
To get this right, and in the spirit of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, we have consulted with Māori on proposed changes to the way we assess claims, and have used this feedback to help shape the final design of our new approach.
Footnote
[25] Claims arising after this date are the responsibility of Oranga Tamariki.
[26]The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care is a significant milestone for survivors of abuse. We are committed to supporting the Royal Commission so that victims can find the independent and informed process they seek, and we will work with government agencies to address any recommendations made by the Royal Commission.
