Emma Gillard, a resident of Auckland, has become a vocal advocate for those affected by medical treatment injuries. Her personal battle began following complications from a keyhole surgery to remove an ovarian cyst, which led to ongoing pain and a long fight with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Initially, ACC recognized her injury and covered her treatment for internal bleeding related to the procedure. However, as time progressed, she faced challenges in maintaining her support, culminating in an ongoing struggle for recognition of her mental health injury linked to the aftermath of the surgery.

Emma’s experience is reflective of a broader issue in New Zealand, where nearly 139,000 claims have been made over the last decade by individuals who believe they were injured due to medical procedures. While ACC and medical professionals stress that these numbers do not necessarily represent poor care quality, for individuals like Emma, the impact is profound. She continues to advocate for policy changes within ACC, seeking fairness and justice for those navigating a complex claims process after suffering injuries.