The new injury management pathway went live on 1 July 2023 and has changed the way that LGIS handles new and emerging workers' compensation claims with early notification support services.

Our injury management team are all allied health professionals and draw on clinical knowledge and skills to work in collaboration with trusted providers. The team identifies high risk claimants and intervenes to support better recovery and return to work outcomes.

Services include early intervention access to specialised physiotherapists, including virtual appointments for rural remote workers who have limited access to therapy, support with development of return to work plans, access to psychologists, and support for general practitioners by psychiatrists on how best to manage mental health claims.

Case study: Worker resumes full time work hours with early notification

A female worker in her 50s slipped on a wet ramp and fell on her outstretched left hand in June 2022. She suffered a shoulder injury and had surgery.

She complained of persistent pain and limited functional improvement in terms of her work even after surgery.

LGIS refers worker to specialists

The workplace rehabilitation provider at the City flagged the workers lack of improvement to LGIS' injury management advisor (IMA) this year following the surgery.

Our IMA assessed the situation, liaised with the treating physiotherapist, and identified that the worker was presenting with key pain makers post-surgery that could result in the development of Chronic Pain Syndrome. Our IMA, arranged a referral for a specialist physiotherapist review after gaining consent from the worker.

The specialist physiotherapist did a comprehensive assessment, including reviewing the workers medical information, addressing her concerns, and formulating a treatment plan to resolve the identified issues.

The outcome

After a six-week treatment, the worker went for a follow-up review and found improvement in her condition.

“After seeing him (the specialist physiotherapist) and talking through my pain with him, I suddenly started shooting goals. I was referred to see him as I had a shoulder injury that even after surgery was agonising. He understood my hypersensitivity and the shielding that I was doing unconsciously. He helped me to an extent that after my six week review I got a gold star. Today my claim was finalised." – Injured worker

The result of the specialist physiotherapist referral was the finalisation of a complex claim.

Specialist physiotherapists are highly trained and experienced; they are recognised as being at the top of their field. They can break down not just the physical, but also the psychosocial contributors of pain and injury often leading to far superior results than just treating the physical injury alone. They work collaboratively with treating providers and provide expert opinions on treatment and rehabilitation.

Lessons learned

• Having a collaborative relationship with our members and providers enables LGIS to work faster and smarter to ensure workers are provided with the best support possible to optimise their recovery.
• Due to the rehabilitation provider flagging this worker's high pain level, the IMA was able to utilise their clinical skills to liaise with treating providers and identify the need for a specialist physiotherapist review. 
• Without the specialist physiotherapist's intervention, the claim could have remained open for another 6 - 12 months, if not longer, which would have negatively impacted both the worker and member.
• It is important to note here that post surgery, the worker used to work four hours a day for four days a week. Once the physiotherapy intervention was successful, she returned to normal full time hours.

For more information on the early intervention services provided by the LGIS injury management team, please email your queries at imconsultant@lgiswa.com.au