injury management and return to work services

proactive injury management which is aimed at early commencement of the return to work program that is consistent with medical advice. It is also aimed at cost effective and durable return to work outcomes (see WHSM Workplace Rehabilitation Model).

  • initial needs assessment

performed by rehabilitation consultants to determine the history of injury, current status, pre-injury and post-injury suitable duties, employment and education history, and psychosocial screening for flags followed by the recommendations to the employer or the insurer.

  • activities of daily living assessment

examination of ability of a person with an injury or disability to carry out daily living activities without supervison, direction or active personal assistance in tasks such as personal care and transfers.

  • functional capacity evaluation

comprehensive assessment of the worker’s physical tolerances in relation to their work tasks to determine their functional limitations based on physical examination, objective evaluation of performance and reporting.

  • vocational assessment and job seeking assistance

analysis of individual’s skills, experience and aptitude to identify alternative vocational goals and potential job placement options and assist people with the return to work or finding most suitable employment.
 
News
21 May Aged care reforms. Living Longer. Living Better.
On 20 April 2012, the Prime Minister and Minister Butler unveiled a comprehensive package of reforms to build a better, fairer, more sustainable and more nationally consistent aged care system. The “Living Longer. Living Better.” aged care reform package provides $3.7 billion over five years. It represents the commencement of a 10 year reform program to create a flexible and seamless system that provides older Australians with more choice, control and easier access to a full range of services, where they want it and when they need it. It also positions us to meet the social and economic challenges of the nation’s ageing population.
14 Mar Physical and Psychological Stress Costs Australians $30 Billion a Year
Safe Work Australia published a new report which shows that physical and psychological stress costs Australians more than $30 billion a year or half the total cost of workplace injury. According to the report, the total cost of work-related injury and diseases can now be assessed at $60.6 billion a year, despite the country’s recording of its lowest number of work-related mortalities since 2003 to 2004.
10 Mar Standing Up From Desks Helps Avoid Diabetes
Research has revealed that interrupting sitting time with short bouts of light exercise can lower glucose and insulin levels by as much as 30%, helping people avoid diabetes. Associate Professor David Dunstan, from the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, is the study's lead researcher. "What this study is showing is that people who sit for long periods, like office workers and call centre staff and drivers, could improve their health by simply breaking up their sitting time with frequent activity breaks," he said.
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