“Turn your sick notes into fit notes” Presentation to Goodfellow Symposium Didje Zwart,NZROT Programme Manager, B

1. “Turn your sick notes into fit notes” Presentation to Goodfellow Symposium DidjeZwart,NZROT Programme Manager, Better@Work 25 March 2012

2. Certifying to assist injured workers to remain at work or return to work as soon as possible, following injury CERTIFYING CLIENTS FIT FOR WORK

3. Client Doctor Employer Therapist ACC Typical Barriers

4. 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 Process

5. 20 year old male Fractured 3rd metacarpal, right dominant hand Referred by GP Non work injury Warehouse Supervisor/Assistant Case Study

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

7. Negotiation for light/alternative duties Reduced hours/financial abatement Reduced productivity Work trials Solutions available

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

9. 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 Outcome for client

10. 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 Case Study Two

11. 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 Barriers

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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 conclusion