Government is called on to fill the gap in NHS provision
nsurers need to regain the trust of claimants by more effectively promoting rehabilitation to the public and lawyers. This was the view of the opening speaker at COVER's sister publication, Post Magazine's Rehabilitation First Conference.
Norwich Union's head of claims technical development, Alan Gore, also used the event as an opportunity to call on the Government to invest in rehabilitation. He said this would fill the gap in provision from the NHS, which was run down with no signs of improving.
While Gore conceded that rehabilitation was on the Government's radar, with initiatives such as the Depart- ment for Work and Pensions' Pathways to Work, he said there was much discussion with little action and insurers and insurance businesses needed to play their part in championing the rehabilitation message.
"Third-party compensation is an adversarial issue, with widespread mistrust between insurers and lawyers. There are some enlightened law firms, but the industry, while it has a leading role to play, can't do this on its own.
"The need for early intervention is key and there needs to be a move towards removing litigation from rehabilitation."
Gore, who is part of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers' rehabilitation working group, said there is a great need to engage lawyers in discussion, to promote the benefits of early intervention and rehabilitation. He added that, ultimately, the industry needed a control- ling body to put its stamp of approval on those that offer case management or rehabilitation services with agreed standards and qualifications.
Richard Adams is senior reporter on Post Magazine
