Should first responding volunteers be covered for post-traumatic stress caused by the job?

ACC currently covers the responders for broad physical injury cover - but not for mental health harm.

A petition to change the legislation with more than 36,000 signatures was unsuccessful last year.

Land Search & Rescue chief executive Wendy Wright says most of their workforce are actually volunteers.

"We can provide short-term support for them, but it's for those that have long-term PTSD - and it's that longer-term support that we are unable to provide." 

LISTEN ABOVE

Should first responding volunteers be covered for post-traumatic stress caused by the job?
ACC currently covers the responders for broad physical injury cover - but not for mental health harm.
A petition to change the legislation with more than 36,000 signatures was unsuccessful last year.
Land Search &amp; Rescue chief executive Wendy Wright says most of their workforce are actually volunteers.
"We can provide short-term support for them, but it's for those that have long-term PTSD - and it's that longer-term support that we are unable to provide."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Wendy Wright: Land Search & Rescue chief executive on the growing calls to give first responding volunteers mental health coverage

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ca387bc0-25e4-433f-8d30-b3fd005b5289/transcript