Treatment of Family Members and claiming of fees

This issue was first considered in December 1995.  It was noted that other professional groups can offer services to family members and claim fees. eg. Accountants. 

In February 1996 there was discussion on the topic treating family members and claiming fees for such treatment.  It was noted that eligibility for physiotherapy treatment in the case of third party claims such as from ACC was initiated by a GP but there were not the same safeguards necessarily for claims from private insurance companies.  Some other professional groups are able to offer services to family members and claim fees eg accountants can charge family members and issue a receipt for IRD purposes.  Lawyers are able to defend family members and be reimbursed by Legal Aid.  It was agreed that a Notice of Intent would be given at the AGM stating that a policy of the Treatment of Family Members would be developed and comments invited, prior to ratification at the 1997 AGM.

In May 1996 Nell Dawson looked for support from the NZPPA in developing a discussion paper.  Gillian Webb prepared a statement to circulate to branches in February 1997.

This discussion paper was presented and ratified at the 1997 AGM  It incorporated the Ethical Committee’s Position Statement.  The Ethical Committee could see no reason for the discouragement of treatment of a family member provided the treatment in no way conflicted with good ethical practice.  Rider - That the standards of practice are the same whether the treatment is to a family member or not.  Where it is a matter of payment be a third party there should be a system in place which allowed for independent verification eg referral from a GP, good record keeping in respect of treatment carried out.  

A draft discussion paper on new (physio) Therapies was discussed, it was agreed it could be circulated to branches before being submitted to the Journal for publication.  This appeared in the 1998 October and November Newsletter in the Ethical column.