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Source: ONE News -
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Some physiotherapists say their patient numbers have dropped by 50% since ACC cut free treatment.
Patients now have to pick up 30% of the bill and physios are worried people are putting off crucial treatment because they cannot afford it.
Physiotherapist Gill Stotter says while there is some confusion amongst the public as to what the changes all mean, a big reason for the drop in patient numbers is cost.
"Cost will have a huge effect on access ... in a certain group of people in the lower income."
ACC's Gail Kettle says the drop in numbers proves people were previously taking advantage of the system.
"When physiotherapy was free we suspect that some people maybe went for treatment for things that were reasonably minor, aches and pains and are maybe choosing not to now," Kettle says. "We know, for example, that a lot of injuries like lower back pain recovers without any help."
However, Jon Weddon of the New Zealand Society of Physiotherapists says there is concern that if people do not get timely rehabilitation, their injuries will become worse.
