Key rehabilitation standards from the Workers'
Compensation and Rehabilitation Regulation 2003 are summarised
below.
Rehabilitation (Regulation s109)
Rehabilitation must focus on return to work, be goal directed
with timely and appropriate services for:
- the worker's injury
- the rehabilitation and return to work plan objectives
- the worker's recovery rate.
During rehabilitation, the worker must be treated with
appropriate respect and equity.
Early worker contact (Regulation
s108)
Early contact is one of the key principles of successful
rehabilitation. An injured worker should be contacted as soon as
possible after the injury occurs or is reported so rehabilitation
needs can be assessed.
The rehabilitation and return to work
coordinator (RRTWC) (Regulation s99B)
The RRTWC's role includes:
- communicating with workers as soon as possible following an
injury to assess rehabilitation needs and to notify relevant
parties
- coordinating the worker's return to work
- developing the suitable duties program with the worker and
employer
- ensuring the suitable duties program is consistent with the
current workers' compensation medical certificate or injury
report
- letting the insurer know as early as possible if they need to
assist or intervene.
Rehabilitation and return to work plan
(Act s220 (2) and Regulation s106)
The insurer should develop and maintain a rehabilitation and
return to work plan with the injured worker, the employer and
treating practitioner.
The plan and any changes must be consistent with the worker's
needs and the current workers' compensation medical certificate or
injury report.
Doctor's approval (Regulation s104)
If the treating doctor does not give sufficient information in
the workers' compensation medical certificate or injury report to
base the plan, the treating doctor's approval must be obtained and
documented for the rehabilitation and return to work plan.
Suitable duties program (Regulation
s106A)
The employer must develop a suitable duties program for an
injured worker returning to work. It's essential for the employer
to discuss the program with the injured worker.
The worker's direct supervisor, co-workers and all other
relevant parties should understand what duties and hours the worker
can safely work each day.
The program and any changes must be consistent with the worker's
needs and the current workers' compensation medical certificate or
injury report.
The program must be monitored and reviewed at appropriate
intervals consistent with the worker's recovery and the insurer
must be provided with a copy.
Worker's file (Regulation s105)
A file must be kept for each worker undertaking rehabilitation
and must contain copies of all relevant documentation,
correspondence and accounts.
Confidentiality (Regulation s110)
All parties must treat information sensitively and
confidentially. Authority must be obtained from the worker to
obtain or release information about their rehabilitation.
Case notes (Regulation s107)
Accurate and objective case notes containing a record of all
communication and actions relevant to the worker's rehabilitation
and return to work must be kept.