4.5.27 Non-established, new or emerging treatment & services (NeNETS)


4.5.27.1 Ketamine | 4.5.27.2 Medicinal cannabis

WorkSafe can consider paying the reasonable costs of NeNETS (equipment, medications, prostheses, procedures or surgeries) only in exceptional circumstances when required as a result of a work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. injury or illness.

When reviewing the reasonableness and appropriateness of NeNETS requests WorkSafe relies on evidence-based information and decisions guided by:

Policy

Refer to policy for Non-established, New or Emerging Treatments & Services including information about:

  • who can provide services
  • what WorkSafe will and will not paid for
  • information required to pay for services.

4.5.27.1 Ketamine

In Australian medical practice, ketamine is occasionally used as an anesthetic for surgical procedures or retrieving people from situations of physical trauma.

There is insufficient evidence to support the use of ketamine as a first line treatment for chronic non-cancer pain, depression and PTSD. WorkSafe recognises there may be exceptions where ketamine is an appropriate treatment for a period of time, in circumstances where all other reasonable treatments and services have been exhausted.

Policy

Refer to the Ketamine policy for more information including:

  • what ketamine is used for
  • evidence for its use

  • guidelines for providing ketamine to injured workers

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

4.5.27.2 Medicinal cannabis

Medicinal Cannabis refers to the use of pharmaceutical products deriving from the cannabis plant or chemicals contained within it.

WorkSafe may consider paying the reasonable costs of medicinal cannabis rare circumstance where it is an appropriate treatment for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) for a period of time, when all other reasonable treatments and services have been exhausted.

Requests made for exceptional circumstances for conditions other than CNCP (e.g. psychiatric, non-pain physical conditions or cancer) will be assessed under the non-established, new or emerging treatment or service (NeNETS) policy.

Policy

Refer to the Medicinal cannabis policy for more information including:

  • who can prescribe medicinal cannabis
  • evidence for its use

  • the information required from the treating medical team

This policy should be read in conjunction with:

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