return to work challenges regional wa manager...
Post on 23-May-2018
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Case Study
• Regional Local Government – more than 300kms away from Perth
• 41 FTEs
• Occupation: Full Time Gardener
• Gender: Female
• Age: 63
• Tenure: 6 years
PAGE 4
The Incident
• Date of Injury: Feb 2014
• Tasks: Lifting Victor lawn mower up to a ute
• Lower back injury
PAGE 5
What happened?
• Couldn’t get to a doctor within the town
• Went to see her husband’s GP 9 days after first injury – 260kms away
• Certified TUF
• Liability accepted within 17 days
• Medical Assessments April 2014 – still TUF• Pain management injection• Exercise Program• PI duty - unlikely
PAGE 6
Other factors to consider
• Husband also on comp – fell out with Rehab
• Brother also worked at the LG, also injured. Attempting RTW
• CT showed widespread degenerative issues
• Was a safety rep but quit as previous suggestion not accepted
• Applied to be the caravan park manager but not successful
• At times non-attendance of physios
• Smoked marijuana for pain relief
PAGE 7
More factors to consider
• Interpersonal relationship issues in the workplace
• GP refused to agree to RTWP unless it was for administration duties
• No manual handling procedure
• Didn’t want a settlement – wanted to continue working
• Heard that the workplace “didn’t want her back” – citing Stress
PAGE 8
If you are a betting person…
• What are the odds of this injured worker returning to work (PI duties or otherwise)?
PAGE 9
Not a Chance
Maybe Likely
Barriers & Challenges
• Distance!
• GP Availability & Knowledge
• Early Interventions
• Employers’ education of RTW responsibilities
• Key staff wear multiple hats
• “Close knit” community – everyone knows everyone
• Risk Management
• Lack of suitable duties – small organisations
PAGE 10
Outcome
• Nov 2014, change of treating doctor from GP to Specialist
• Meeting: agreed to push ahead with RTWP and not redeployment
• Final medical certificate: Jan 2015• Gradual return to work with PI duties
PAGE 13
Country Living
…if I don’t drive the ambulance for the town, who else will!ex-CEO from the Mid-West Region
PAGE 14
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