Health Services Australia (HSA) is to launch a new injury management program in 2003, focused on providing a holistic approach to injury management to better meet individual client needs.
HSA Occupational Physician, Dr Louise Crowle, said that HSA has developed an approach that considers injury management in a holistic manner, including the integration of prevention and early intervention strategies.
“Our approach allows development of a tailored injury management program that considers the unique characteristics of organisations, that has flexibility to accommodate organisational change, and considers the needs of both workers and employers,” Dr Crowle said.
The new injury management program will be delivered by a team of experts including rehabilitation providers, psychologists, occupational physicians and nurses. This enables HSA to quickly and effectively meet all challenges, whatever the injury management issue. It also allows for a coordinated multi disciplinary approach when required.
The aims of the integrated HSA approach go beyond short term reduction in claim costs and reduction in lost time injury, to include the following.
- Reduction in risk of workplace injury.
- Lower insurance premiums.
- Enhanced health outcomes for the injured worker.
- Improved employee wellbeing.
- Improved workforce retention rates.
- Effective use of performance indicators for internal and external benchmarking of injury management programs.
General Manager of HSA Sydney, Dr Robin Taylor, said the development of the HSA model has been client driven.
“Workers’ Compensation costs have increased significantly since 1995, resulting in injury management becoming a major issue for insurers and employers,” Dr Taylor said. “At the same time there has been a growing demand for injury management programs that include medical services.”
HSA Sydney began providing such a service to Waverley Council. A number of national clients subsequently expressed an interest in the service prompting HSA to develop an injury management model that could be rolled out nationwide.
“Occupational Health and Safety is an important policy at Waverley Council, and the return of injured workers to appropriate duties is an integral part of this program,” said Dr Dale Kong, Senior Medical Adviser for Waverley Council.“It requires the coordination of the rehabilitation coordinator, the injured worker, the worker’s supervisor and the treating medical practitioner. Our injury management program is an integral part of this coordination process and ensures the safe return of employees to appropriate duties, resulting in positive results for all involved.”
To find out more about HSA’s injury management model please contact your closest office on 1300 361 046 or visit www.healthoz.com.au.
