AAPi Director Katrina Norris is quoted extensively in an online article in the Medical Journal of Australia, criticising recent WorkCover changes in Victoria.
These changes include limits on compensation for mental health injuries.
Dr Norris said the eligibility requirements for mental injury claims are not in line with national standards or best practice for occupational health and safety, nor are they aligned with current mental health assessment and treatment standards.
She also said it places a higher burden on GPs.
“Under Victoria’s WorkCover, a psychological diagnosis needs to be provided by a medical practitioner (GP or other medical doctor). The new requirement is for the doctor to provide this diagnosis within 28 days of the claim being lodged.
“This places a higher burden on GPs as the initial treating doctor to assess and accurately diagnose their patient in a short period of time, while also coordinating more appropriate and focused treatment; or to refer on to a psychiatrist with availability (a rare find in the current climate).”
Dr Norris argues for a greater role for psychologists.
“A solution would be a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that allows the primary treating party to engage those they believe to be best placed to assess, diagnose and support the individual.”
Read the full article here.