RELEASE DATE 20/09/2007
WorkCover SA’s second annual innovative return to work and injury management conference, Return to work is part of the recovery: Working together for best practice injury management, will be held today, Thursday 20 September 2007 at the Hilton Adelaide Hotel.
“This year’s conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to explore initiatives being undertaken nationally and internationally to improve recovery and return to work outcomes for injured workers,” said WorkCover SA’s CEO Julia Davison.
Two keynote speakers will provide an international and interstate perspective – Dr Sally Nikolaj, who was instrumental in developing and overseeing a network of more than 18,000 health care providers in Alberta, Canada will discuss return to work initiatives through innovative partnerships and health care management; and Mr Greg Tweedly, CEO of Victorian WorkCover Authority will discuss Victoria’s experience in improving recovery and return to work outcomes.
In addition to the two keynote speakers, three concurrent sessions will be run on a variety of subjects including, interviewing techniques to assist with return to work, return to work drivers across workers compensation systems in Australia, how medical panels work, the psychological benefits of return to work and an insight into the claims management experience from the perspective of an injured worker.
Around 300 delegates will attend the one-day conference, representing injured workers, unions, employers, claims managers from Employers Mutual, health care providers, vocational rehabilitation providers and WorkCover SA. The event is sponsored by WorkCover’s key business partners, Employers Mutual and Minter Ellison.
“Only by working together can we improve the system and the experience of workers who are injured as a result of their work. The program for the conference seeks to challenge and motivate delegates to implement innovative initiatives that will improve recovery through timely and safe return to work,” said Ms Davison.
Media contact: Lauren Kandelaars, WorkCover SA – (08) 8238 5733 or 0408 827 676