Stakeholders welcome positive news at second annual Scheme Update Seminar

WorkCover WA's second annual Scheme Update Seminar was a great success with over 140 stakeholders hearing the latest news on the health of the State's workers' compensation scheme.

Click here to view the presentations and information provided at the seminar.

A range of topics were discussed, with a key feature the stability of the claims data despite Western Australia's booming economy.

Principal Policy Officer Scheme Evaluation, Leona Glasby presented data showing that between 1997 and 2001, the annual number of claims had dropped by around 35 per cent. Since 2002, claim numbers have stabilised along with claim lodgement patterns.

“It is interesting to note that we have recorded falling claim rates during a time of strong growth in employment and economic activity,” Ms Glasby said.

WorkCover WA is embarking on an extensive three year injury management campaign to bring about about a wider knowledge and understanding of injury management.

Feedback from a survey of  stakeholders indicated that the current system was fractured, and that stakeholders did not have a shared vision in terms of the overall purpose of injury management. However, it showed that stakeholders were willing to collaborate and work cooperatively.

Scheme Update Seminar attendees were advised that effective injury management systems were drivers of high workplace morale, cost mitigation, shared responsibility and positive outcomes for workers, employers and all other involved.

WorkCover WA's campaign is a strategic, long-term initiative focusing on changing behaviours and attitudes to improve injury management practices and reduce the time taken for a worker to return to work after injury.

The campaign will initially focus on building knowledge, awareness and capacity with medical practitioners and then employers in relation to injury management. Promotional activities will then be undertaken to reach injured workers and the community.

Click here to view the presentations and information provided at the seminar.