Turn your sick notes into fit notes Presentation to Goodfellow Symposium Didje Zwart,NZROT Programme Manager, 25 March 2012

Certifying to assist injured workers to remain at work or return to work as soon as possible, following injury

Client Doctor Employer Therapist ACC

GP sends referral for return to work assistance Referral is triaged by a Vocational Provider Contact is made with client and employer Onsite work assessment is completed (where possible) Return to work plan is formulated Feedback given to GP and ACC via report Certificate clearing for selected duties is essential to enable a return to work

20 year old male Fractured 3 rd metacarpal, right dominant hand Referred by GP Non work injury Warehouse Supervisor/Assistant

Job tasks assessed- picking, packing, computer work, supervisory work Functional requirements identified Barriers noted Solutions provided Return to work plan formulated

Negotiation for light/alternative duties Reduced hours/financial abatement Reduced productivity Work trials

Transport assistance Referral to other services Ongoing support to client, employer and GP Discussion with ACC

Returned back to work in timely manner Activities graded appropriately- four week return to work period Reduced productivity negotiated- two weeks Liaison with Hand Therapist and Employer Recommendations sent through to GP

50 year old female Lumbar sprain Work injury, preventing an elderly resident from falling Caregiver in a rest home with hospital wing for palliative elderly clients

Pain and decreased movement/mobility Sitting and standing tolerance reported by client at 20 minutes before increased pain in lower lumbar region Restricted from lifting, transferring and bending

Client worried if injury had sinister cause Fearful of relapse or never getting better Set on six week recovery period- no work Employer adamant on full return to work/full hours Unable to offer alternative/light duties or reduced hours - too difficult with rosters

Onsite assessment completed Work tasks/shifts analysed- differences noted Work trial offered for one - two week period with weekly onsite review by Occupational Therapist

Client agreed, less anxious at thought of work trial and being a float Employer agreed to look at lighter shifts and softened around possibility of changing shifts

Key element is certifying fit for work certificate Enables vocational provider to search and negotiate for light or alternative duties Workplace assessment ideal with all parties present to allow for open discussion where possible Onsite follow up essential for sustainable and safe return Clear time frames and plan set with all parties and forwarded to GP for medical consideration/clearance Feedback and consultation with ACC