Latest news with #JamesWhitaker
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Public encouraged to share stories, raise drowning awareness
Share your story — that is the message from Water Safety New Zealand and the Accident Compensation Corporation today as they recognise World Drowning Prevention Day. In New Zealand, 74 people lost their lives by drowning in 2024; and in the first six months of this year, 38 people have drowned in incidents that could have been prevented. One of those was from Otago earlier this year. There were no preventable drownings in the region last year. The global theme for this year is "Your Story Can Save A Life", and WSNZ and ACC are encouraging people to speak openly about their experiences, in a bid to make people more mindful of the risks around water this winter. The 74 drowning fatalities in 2024 was the lowest annual toll since 2018, and was a 14% drop from the 10-year average. Water Safety New Zealand interventions lead Esther Hone said the reduction was encouraging, but the risks remained real. She said since 2014, an average of 86 New Zealanders drowned every year in incidents that could have been prevented. Fatalities involved behaviour such as not wearing a lifejacket, entering the water alone, consuming alcohol and other drugs or underestimating conditions. "We are making progress, particularly with our tamariki, but every life lost is one too many. "World Drowning Prevention Day is a chance to speak up, share our stories and help shape a culture where water safety is second nature. "We believe every child deserves the knowledge, experience and confidence to survive in the water — not just swim in it." ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said ACC accepted about 4500 water-related injuries every year, costing the taxpayer $13.5million to help people recover. In Otago, ACC accepted about 450 water-related injuries every year, costing $1million to help people recover. Mr Whitaker said a drowning was devastating for any family and the local community and he urged people to follow the Water Safety Code. "New Zealand's beaches, lakes and rivers provide us all with amazing opportunities to enjoy ourselves and connect with friends and families. "If we take time to assess the risks and make smart choices before we jump in, we can keep on doing the things we love." The Water Safety Code encourages people to know how to float; find the safest place to swim; if in doubt, stay out; take care of yourself and others; and know how to get help.
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Accident numbers putting pressure on ACC
Nearly half the population of Otago had active Accident Compensation Corporation injury claims last year, prompting the government agency to raise concerns about the financial pressure it was putting on the sustainability of the scheme. In 2024, there were 100,336 new injury claims and 124,269 active injury claims made to ACC from people in the Otago region, costing the taxpayer more than $312 million to help them recover. Otago's total population in 2024 was 251,300. ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said the number of injury claims and associated costs were the highest in the Otago region for the past five years, and the numbers reflected a nationwide trend. "In 2020, ACC accepted 90,375 injury claims from the Otago region at a cost of $189m. "To put it simply, more people are getting injured, and it is taking longer and costing more for them to recover." He said the data had showed ACC needed to look more seriously at raising collective awareness of the need to prevent injuries. In 2024, ACC accepted two million injury claims from 1.6 million New Zealanders, and it cost nearly $7b to help people recover from these injuries and to maintain some form of income (weekly compensation). A total of $4.4b of these costs went towards rehabilitation expenses. He said over the past 20 years, the costs of supporting New Zealanders with injuries had climbed from just under $1b in 2004, to nearly $4.4b in 2024. Mr Whitaker said the high number of injury claims and costs was putting pressure on the sustainability of the ACC scheme. "We want all New Zealanders to get the help and support they need when they're injured now and for many generations to come. "What we all need to do is be more mindful and present when there is injury risk present. If I get hurt, what is the impact on those people who I care about?" The most common injuries occurred at home or in the community (61,920 costing $167m); sport/recreation (26,660 costing $58m); and work (10,346 costing $66m). ACC Minister Scott Simpson said a report titled "Injuries in New Zealand" would be released annually to help raise the collective awareness and promote injury prevention. "ACC is a unique and world-leading scheme and one that we cannot afford to take for granted. "Injuries cause harm to the person injured, but they also put pressure on business productivity and on the financial position of the ACC scheme. "We need to safeguard ACC, so it is there to help and support our future generations. "One of the key areas [in which] we need to improve is reducing injuries." Whether it was at home and in our communities, at work, in sport and recreation or on our roads, the number of people getting injured was too high — especially considering most injuries were preventable, he said. Mr Whitaker said independent research indicated more New Zealanders were now taking actions to prevent injuries to themselves and other people. "By being present in the moments when there is injury risk, we can get the job done and continue to do the things we love. "This is far better than experiencing pain, creating flow-on effects for friends and family, and facing a long rehabilitation."
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
ACC supported 160,000 people at a cost of $2.5 billion last year, new data shows
ACC has just released data showing that last year it dealt with 162,571 people who required financial support because of injury. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver There were more than 160,000 people off work due to injuries last year who had to be supported by ACC, new data shows, and it came at a cost of $2.5 billion. ACC has released data showing the accidents and injuries it dealt with last year. It said there were 162,571 people who required financial support because of injury. They were paid more than 18 million days of weekly compensation. In total, ACC accepted two million injury claims from 1.6 million people in the year, which cost $7b in total. Of that, $4.4b went to rehabilitation expenses. In 2004, the cost was less than $1b. "To put it simply, more people are getting injured, and it is taking longer and costing more for them to recover," ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said. ACC Minister Scott Simpson said ACC was a unique and world-leading scheme. "Injuries cause harm to the person injured, but they also put pressure on business productivity and on the financial position of the ACC scheme. "We need to safeguard ACC, so it is there to help and support our future generations. One of the key areas we need to improve is reducing injuries." He said the number of people being injured was too high, and many injuries were preventable. The large number of days people took off work could stop the country reaching its potential. Whitaker said the high number of injury claims and costs put pressure on the sustainability of the ACC scheme. "We want all New Zealanders to get the help and support they need when they're injured now and for many generations to come," he said. "What we all need to do is be more mindful and present when there is injury risk present, if I get hurt, what is the impact on those people who I care about." The most common areas injured were the lower back and spine, at 13 percent, followed by shoulders at 8 percent. Only 10 percent of injuries happened in accidents at work. Two-thirds were at home and almost a quarter in sport or recreation. Almost 16,000 people aged in their 60s made a claim for a gardening accident. Just under 40 percent of all workplace claims last year were from manufacturing, construction, forestry, agriculture and fisheries workers. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
08-06-2025
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Avoid slip-sliding into winter injuries: ACC
ODT GRAPHIC Winter has arrived and with it come the inevitable hazardous conditions that cause injury. During the 2024 winter season, more than 11,800 Otago residents made claims to the Accident Compensation Corporation for injuries that occurred around their homes and a further 4458 Southlanders also claimed, costing a total of nearly $20 million to help them recover. ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said as temperatures dropped outside, New Zealanders started to spend more time inside. But ACC statistics showed people were more likely to get injured around their home than anywhere else. "This is because we spend a lot of time at home and are probably more laid back than we might be in a work environment, which probably has a lot of safety measures in place." Winter conditions were also more hazardous, he said. Nationwide last year, ACC received 237,007 claims for injuries that occurred around the home during winter, costing $290 million to help people recover. Most injury claims in 2024 were from people aged 50-64. "It's important to be extra cautious around any potentially icy or slippery surfaces outside. "A nasty fall can have serious implications on your own physical and mental health, as well as on those around you. "If you hurt yourself slipping over, you might not be able to be as involved with your kids or grandchildren and your workmates may need to take on some of your tasks." Mr Whitaker said the most prevalent accident cause last winter was loss of balance/personal control (65,310), followed by lifting/carrying/strain (45,365), and slipping and skidding on foot (18,618). Most injury claims were for soft tissue injuries (150,738), followed by lacerations/punctures/stings (42,667) and fractures/dislocations (14,541). "The second-biggest danger in the home is moving stuff around — lifting, carrying and straining account for around 18% of all home-related injuries. "Too often we're trying to lift things that are way too heavy, way too bulky and awkward and we're doing it in ways that hurt. "Think — is this the best way to carry in my firewood? Could I do it in a few smaller loads or with a wheelbarrow to stay injury free? "The same goes with washing. Moving a few lighter loads is far better than piling everything into a basket all at once. "Regardless of what you're moving, have a nice straight back, avoid twisting and try to keep it as light as possible."
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
ACC urges caution in snow season
When it comes to snow-sport-related injuries, Otago is king of the mountain. Accident Compensation Corporation statistics show the region had 6697 snowboarding- and skiing-related injuries in 2024 — more than three times higher than Canterbury (2159), Auckland (1259) and Manawatū-Whanganui (1020). ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said overall, the corporation accepted 7632 skiing injuries, which came at a cost of $30 million to help people recover, and 5104 snowboarding injuries, which cost $14 million. "When winter comes around, many people head up the mountain and get into skiing or snowboarding after not doing it for a year, and this leads to accidents and injuries," he said. "If you're hitting the slopes, complete a good dynamic warm-up before you do your first run — that will get you ready for the fun day ahead. "You don't want to get injured on one of your first trips to the mountain and spend months on the couch while your mates are heading away every weekend." A loss of balance or personal control was the leading cause of injury ahead of a twisting movement, for both snowboarding and skiing, he said. The knees (2165) and shoulders (943) were the most injured body parts in skiing, while shoulders (875), knees (584) and hand/wrist (569) were the most injured body parts in snowboarding. The age group with the most snowboarding injuries was the 25-29 age group (926), and the 20-24 age group (785) had the most injuries for skiing. The Snow Safety Code urged snow-sport-lovers to know their limits, stop only in places where they could be seen, give others room and to protect themselves by wearing a helmet, obeying all signs and closures and taking regular rest breaks. Mr Whitaker also encouraged people to be considerate of others, especially during busy periods like the upcoming school holidays, when there would be less space. "New Zealand has some of the world's most beautiful places to ski and snowboard, and the start of the snow season is always an exciting time, but ease into it so you can enjoy the slopes throughout the winter season." The Remarkables skifield is expected to open this weekend, while Cardrona and Coronet Peak are expected to open on June 15.
