Welcome to the new OHS and Workers Compensation area of the NSW AMA website.  AMA (NSW) is pleased to be able to provide new and important information for medical practices including all staff and doctors, under the WorkCover Assist Project.
 
We are committed to ensuring that doctors meet their legal requirements in a variety of areas and believe that occupational health and safety and workers compensation are two such areas which there is little targeted information available.  This is the focus of our Project for 2009.

This section of our website will be continually updated and you should return regularly to see the most recent information and resources developed.
 
Occupational Health and Safety/Workers Compensation Seminars

These face to face seminars are being conducted throughout NSW and are free for anyone wishing to attend.  The seminar program includes three sessions which attendees can register for individually or as a whole.  These sessions include:

9.30-1.30 (including lunch) OHS Legislation and requirements for a medical practice, fire and evacuation compliance and infection control standards.
1.30-2.30 (including afternoon tea) Workers compensation legislation from an employer and treating doctor perspective
2.30-4.30 treating injured workers as a medical practitioner
Click here to download a registration form.

OHS/Workers Compensation Hotline

Freecall number 1800 117 670 for any inquiries relating to either area (messages can be left after hours)

OHS Online Training

Designed for all staff members (including doctors) in the practice to increase their knowledge of OHS issues and meet the requirements of an employer to provide training in this area.  The program can be taken in sections or as a whole program and requires a single registration for each trainee.  A certificate will be provided following the training.  Click here to go to the online training program.

Workers Compensation: scheme agents’ reviews of Whole Person Impairment assessments

The Law Society and AMA (NSW), through the newly reformed Medico Legal Liaison Committee, wrote to WorkCover recently raising concerns about the role of Scheme agents in undertaking quality assurance reviews of Whole Person Impairment assessments. WorkCover responded to the Law Society on 23 January 2009 and has now granted permission for that letter to be published to the legal and medical professions.  If you are concerned with any Scheme Agents (insurers) inappropriately seeking to change an assessment please contact Alicia Speer at AMA (NSW) alicia@amansw.com.au or Fax 9438 3760 and these examples will be raised in a deidentified manner with WorkCover. 
 

Information and Resources

The AMA (NSW) Occupational Health and Safety Manual for Medical Practices has been recently updated and is now available again for medical practices. You can either purchase the Manual in a printed format or obtain the Manual in PDF on a CD Rom free of charge.  Please complete the Order Form specifying the format you would prefer and include payment for the printed copy and one will be sent to you as a matter of priority.

Patients on Workers Compensation Flowchart

OHS Poster

Updated brochures and other information for practices can be ordered direct from AMA (NSW) by contacting 02 9439 8822