Monday Muses ~information-direction-misdirection.
Rosemary McKenzie-Ferguson
Founder at Craig's Table- Recipient Summa Comp Laude 2021-22 Recipient Bloom Making a Difference Award 2023
I am often asked why I push so hard constantly for an equitable workers compensation process. Well the above image should explain my reasons. For the 2021/22 count 497,300 sustained a workplace injury. Break that down to months weeks days hours minutes and you will see that 1.05 people sustain a workplace injury every minute of every hour. Or to be blunt and using the time right now as 5pm since midnight 969 people have sustained a workplace injury, by midnight 1,425 people will have sustained a workplace injury. I know as well as everyone knows that not every injury will be catastrophic just as I know that not every injury will start out as complex.
What we should all be asking ourselves is how workers compensation sustains itself as a 60-80billion dollar industry, how is it that so many of the injured worker community end up being just grist for the mill, scant more than a way to earn churn and burn.
I look at the challenges facing the injured worker community and I look at the challenges facing the employers- the common denominator is the system that both parties are required by law to engage within and wonder after countless conversations and countless workshops and countless Reviews the system still spins seemingly out of control.
Many of you work in large workplaces; look around and count 57 people, see them as real people with real families and real commitments. See them as your workplace family, see yourself among the 57 and then ask yourself who is in place to speak for you?
The answer is there is no one to put voice to the concerns., There isn't a Commissioner for injured workers, there isn't a Minister for injured workers, there isn't as much as a phone line dedicated to the ever expanding injured worker community.
www.craigstable.net is still the only registered for purpose not profit association in Australia, yet the system does not offer support to Craig's Table instead support is offered to other places that have no training in how to assist members of the injured worker community.
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You must be wondering as I am just how much longer the concerns regarding tampered/fabricated IME concerns will continue. Above it an image from an industry newsletter I have removed all identifying information, and underneath is the information I received last week once more attempting to quell concerns.
I admit I did search Office of the Australian Privacy Commissioner and then I phoned, it seems that once more the information regarding the confidential documents is still none the clearer. While I did have a very cordial conversation with the person at OAIC, he was unable to assist in locating just where the complete confidential documents actually are. I am well aware that the claims agents have the transmitted IME Reports, but they do not have the original draft reports or any audio or video recordings. Discovery is important when it comes to legal disputes, thus we must know where these documents are not just now, but into the future.
Nor is it clear if the non-treating medical assessor is required to keep the IME records. The more questions I ask, the less information I seem to acquire. Having the required authority actually not know in of itself is a concern.
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Yet again another issue of misconduct by a non-treating medical specialist was brought to my attention. The misconduct was quite serious, resulting in a complete suspension for a period of time.
The concern results from various different angles including the required engaged for a member of the injured worker community at the time the issues of concern were taking place.
Many questions arise from this knowledge inclusive of the validity of the IME Report as one of the "lesser" concerns was poor record keeping and poor documentation.
While doing the required investigation of what is publicly available I discovered that it appears this particular non-treating medical specialist continued to provide IME assessments during the time of suspension.
Tomorrow I will raise this concern with the HCCC
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Shattered is gathering momentum as it needs to, for far far too long the issues that are to be placed into the public square have gone unrecognised and dismissed. Dismissed because the reality does not match the glossy brochure image or the polite over coffee at a conference conversation. All the vendors vying for new customers and vendors sponsoring required sessions simply do not permit their dirty laundry to be seen by all.
The lived experience is permitted but only if the narrative remains "dignified" . There is scant dignity in the lives of far too many members of the injured worker community. There is nothing but heartache and all too oft despair.
Demand a Royal Commission into Insurance Systems Abuse in NSW Workers Compensation Scheme if ever there was a time to shine a spotlight into the dark recesses of the workers compensation process it is now.
LinkedIn article as you will read here there is much that is hidden that needs to be addressed. The first step is to acknowledge that there are real concerns and real people are being impacted by the decisions others make. It is only when the actuality is seen and accepted that we as a collective can begin the process of resolution.
Shattered is the beginning, Shattered is the conversation that will tell the journey as it is not just for the 5 brave women, but for the injured worker community not just here in New South Wales but right over Australia.
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Conferences-Panels-Training-Webinars-Industry Groups
AILA 2024 NATIONAL CONFERENCE 11 September 2024 6:30pm – 9:30pm AEST Broadbeach, Queensland
Recommended by LinkedIn
Tower A Level 5/197-201 Coward Street Botany NSW 2020
National Health Workforce Summit 21 – 22 October 2024 Swissotel Sydney
Podcast/Radio interview
Awards nominations
Nominate for the Bloom Awards [nomination close1st September]
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It is dark once more, I started this at 5pm, it is now 6.30pm that equates to 85.5 people sustaining a workplace injury.
Best I end this and have a much needed cup of tea as I enjoy the pizza my neighbour just dropped in for my dinner.
Yours in service
Rosemary
Marlo has discovered the music once more, this week he has sent us
This week's birthday cake is for Lachlan.
And our best wishes go to Robert and Miranda for their 11th wedding anniversary.
Ambassador Survivor’s R Us ... Supporting the fight against Domestic Abuse.
3moPut simply, you are a voice for the voiceless within the injured workers community. A voice that never gives up and with Craig’s Table a way to successfully help and support the injured workers.
Retired
3moThanks Rosemary for an informative read