Return to Work Challenges – Regional WA

Candy ChooManager WorkCare ServicesLGIS

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Who is LGIS?

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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

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The Incident

• Date of Injury: Feb 2014

• Tasks: Lifting Victor lawn mower up to a ute

• Lower back injury

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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

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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

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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

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If you are a betting person…

• What are the odds of this injured worker returning to work (PI duties or otherwise)?

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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

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Not Rocket Science

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Communication still the key

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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

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Country Living

…if I don’t drive the ambulance for the town, who else will!ex-CEO from the Mid-West Region

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Questions?

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