5.7.1 GP RTW activities

In addition to their usual consultation time, there are a number of activities that GPs can undertake to support workers return to work including:

  • GP RTW Return to Work case conference
  • RTW phone call between GPs and employers
  • GP RTW worksite visit.
Policy

See: Policy for Medical Practitioners

Fee schedule

WorkSafe publish a fee schedule for GP RTW activities.

See: GP RTW Activities | GP Participation in RTW Activities

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GP RTW case conference

These are the steps to arrange and participate in a GP RTW case conference.

Step Agent action
Decide if a GP RTW case conference is required

Determine whether a GP RTW case conference is likely to progress a worker’s return to work. Factors to consider include:

  • the employer has suitable duties available but there is no confirmed RTW date
  • the worker is certified as fully unfit
  • a partial return to work is not progressing or is not sustainable
  • RTW barriers/psychosocial factors are present which might be addressed with a meeting with the worker and their GP.

OR provider

If a worker is receiving OR services, the GP RTW case conference would usually be initiated and arranged by the OR provider. The Agent and OR provider should agree on which party will facilitate the GP RTW case conference. Occasionally it is appropriate for the Agent and the OR provider to attend. This is determined on a case by case basis.

The OR provider advises the Agent by phone or in writing that they wish to initiate a GP RTW case conference. Agents should contact the OR provider within two working days if it is decided that a GP RTW case conference should not occur.

If the OR provider wants to arrange a subsequent GP RTW case conference, Agent approval must be gained before arranging the conference.

GP RTW case conferences should not be conducted by an OR provider, where no other OR services have been delivered or it has been more than 3 months since the last OR service concluded.

GP

GPs can either request the Agent or the OR provider to organise and coordinate a RTW case conference or alternatively can organise and coordinate a RTW case conference themselves.

Refer to the GP Participation in RTW Activities information sheet.
Arrange GP RTW case conference

The Agent or OR provider (if involved) arranges an appointment for the GP RTW case conference with the GP and the worker (and the worker’s representative, if involved). The employer and other stakeholders may also be invited as appropriate.

The worker and GP must agree to participate in the GP RTW case conference. If the GP or worker declines to participate, the Agent should consider other strategies to meet the RTW goal.

The Agent or OR provider facilitating the GP case conference is responsible for sending the GP RTW case conference standard conference topics letter to the worker and GP before the GP RTW case conference. This letter confirms:

  • time, date and location of the conference

  • the purpose and topics for discussion

  • information for the GP on payment code, amount to be invoiced and amount WorkSafe will pay.
Conduct GP RTW case conference

An agreed action plan should be verbally confirmed by conference participants before concluding the GP RTW case conference.

The Agent/OR provider facilitating the GP RTW case conference documents the agreed action plan using the GP RTW Case Conference Action Plan standard letter. This letter is distributed to participants within five working days of the conference.

The Agent/OR provider is still required to document and distribute the action plan regardless of who organises and coordinates the GP RTW case conference.
Post GP RTW case conference

Record the GP RTW case conference outcome on Novus as a case note or contact. Alternatively, a copy of the completed GP RTW Case Conference Action Plan document can be saved on Novus.

If the GP RTW case conference has been facilitated by the OR provider then a summary of the GP RTW case conference should be contained in the standard OES report or a copy of the GP RTW Case Conference Action Plan should be provided to the Agent. This should occur within five days of conducting the GP RTW case conference.
RTW phone call between GP & employer

Payment of phone calls is between GPs and employers and is limited to RTW discussions only. The phone call can be initiated by either party and the injured worker is invited to participate and must consent to the phone call.

GP RTW worksite visit

A GP RTW worksite visit is a visit by the GP to the worker’s place of employment for return to work discussions and observations. Employer agreement is required prior to the visit and the worker is to be involved in the worksite discussions. The GP is not required to complete a report following the worksite visit.

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