WorkCover publishes new injury management consultant guidelines

WorkCover NSW has published updated guidelines for injury management consultants, entitled ‘WorkCover guidelines on injury management consultants’, which take effect from 1 April 2011. The guidelines describe the injury management consultant role and appointment process.

Acting General Manager of WorkCover’s Workers Compensation Division Mary Hawkins said the guidelines were updated to provide greater detail and clarity about the important role of injury management consultants in the NSW workers compensation system.

“Research by the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has found that work has a positive effect on a person’s health and wellbeing, and that loss of work, whether from impaired health or for other reasons, is generally harmful,” Hawkins said. “When differences arise between a nominated treating doctor, the employer, insurer or the injured worker about the return-to-work process, injury management consultants can be engaged to review the situation.

“In line with best practice, the consultant will assist a worker’s treating doctor to use the best available evidence and ensure that a worker does not become disengaged from their workplace.

“By examining a worker, assessing a worker’s employment situation and discussing possible solutions with the worker, their employer and doctor, the consultant facilitates the worker returning to meaningful work as quickly as possible.

“The updated guidelines provide clear directions on referrals to injury management consultants in order to optimise the expertise of these health professionals.

“Revision of the guidelines involved extensive consultation with stakeholders. WorkCover consulted widely with medical professional bodies, employer groups, insurers and unions on the development of the updated guidelines.

“The guidelines now provide greater clarity on the role of injury management consultants, as well as further detail on the appointment, referral and reporting processes.

“They aim to create a shared understanding of the role of injury management consultants in the NSW workers compensation system and to ensure there is no confusion about the role of an independent medical examiner, which many have struggled with.”

Key changes to the guidelines include:

• Clearer definition of the role of the injury management consultant;
• Referral process and responsibilities of the referrer;
• Reporting requirements of injury management consultants;
• Selection criteria;
• Re-appointment of an injury management consultant; and
• Revocation of appointment.

The guidelines were gazetted 18 February 2011 and take effect 1 April 2011. A copy of the guidelines is available from www.workcover.nsw.gov.au.