1. health and fitness
2. disorders

WorkCover WA Injury Management Conference 2015 Program Outline
Tuesday 5 May 2015
8:00
Registration opens
8:45 – 9:05
Official Opening
Master of Ceremonies, Karen Tighe, welcomes delegates
Welcome to Country, Ms Ingrid Cummings Kart Koort Wiern
Michelle Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer
9.05 – 9.15
The Hon. Michael Mischin MLC, Attorney General: Minister for Commerce
9:15 – 10:00
Managing Sick and Injured Workers – A Question of Leadership
Commissioner Wayne Gregson APM (Department of Fire and Emergency Services)
Over the last three years the Department of Fire and Emergency Services has significantly reformed its approach to managing injured workers, resulting in
considerable costs savings and improved lost time injury rates. Commissioner Gregson will share the drivers for this reform, the role of the senior leadership group
in implementing it, and whether the outcomes have met expectations.
10:00 – 10:30
Psychological Injury Claims Management and Return to Work: Qualitative insights
Dr Bianca Brijnath (Monash University)
Mental health conditions are an increasing reason for claiming injury compensation in Australia; however little is known about how these claims are managed.
Dr Brijnath will share her analysis of management of mental health claims and the return to work barriers for people with a mental health claim or psychological
injury.
10:30-10.45
MC update (Karen Tighe)
10:45 – 11:15
Morning Tea
11:15 – 11:50
Concurrent Sessions
Stream One
Managing work-related psychological injury
25 minutes
Early intervention in psychiatric injury: Influencing a
better outcome
Dr Gemma Edwards-Smith (CEO Western Psychiatry,
Consultant Psychiatrist and Fellow of Royal Australian and
New Zealand College of Psychiatrists)
The average estimated cost of each mental health related claim
is over $250,000, far greater than any other injury or illness
category. Early intervention is critical to the successful
management of psychiatric injuries. Learn how to engage the
right support at the right time to influence successful outcomes
for all.
10 minutes
Questions
11:50 – 11:55
Break
11:55 – 12:45
Practical Approaches to the Management of WorkRelated Psychological Injury: A clinician’s perspective
Michael Tunnecliffe (Director/Clinical Psychologist,
BSS Employee Assistance)
For employees with a work-related psychological injury,
diagnosis and treatment can be confusing. Learn more about
factors impacting return to work and hear suggestions on how to
manage work-related psychological injury.
40 minutes
Stream Two
Injury Management Challenges
25 minutes
10 minutes
20 minutes
20 minutes
The ageing workforce – what works?
Joe Therkelsen (Workers Compensation Manager, Betchel Australia)
A maturing workforce provides a number of specific benefits and
challenges. Find out how focussing on the whole working life, and an
integrated age management strategy will keep mature workers engaged and
empowered.
Questions
Increasing the impact of telehealth in rural and remote Western
Australia
Dr Angus Turner (Consultant Ophthalmologist, Lions Eye Institute) Access
to health in rural and remote communities in Western Australia can be
challenging. How can Telehealth improve health outcomes and timely
access to treatment? What influence could Telehealth have on injury
management outcomes in these areas?
5 years on: what are injured workers telling us? A synopsis of feedback
from Injured Workers’ seminars
Mr Martin Ralph (Managing Director, IFAP)
Since their commencement in November 2006, hundreds of injured workers,
their partners and families have attended the free injured workers seminars
delivered by IFAP on behalf of WorkCover WA. Hear valuable insights gathered
from the candid conversations between the facilitators and attendees on their
journey to recovery.
10 minutes
Questions
12:45 – 1:45
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30
Lunchtime vignettes (optional) DFES: A journey of reform
Karen Roberts (Director Human Resources, DFES) & Sheree Yorke (Injury Management Consultant, DFES)
Be part of a conversation with DFES staff about the tools, resources and strategies developed to support improved outcomes for sick and injured workers.
WCWA IM Conference Program 2015 – v1
10 minutes
Questions
1
Program is current as at 19 February 2015. Program and timing is subject to change.
1:45 – 2:45
Concurrent Sessions
Stream One
Managing work-related psychological injury
20 minutes
20 minutes
Managing pscyhological injuries upstream
Annika Demasi (Consultant Psychologist, Demasi
Consulting) Practical advice on navigating the sensitivities
and challenges when managing employees with a
psychological injury.
Mental Health First Aid with FIFO workers
Stephen Dowling (Community Ambassador, RU
OK? Foundation)
Stream Two
Injury Management Challenges
20 minutes
20 minutes
The injury management journey: Woolworths case study
Simon Davey (Relationship Manager, Group W orkers’ Compensation
– Woolworths Limited)
A case study detailing Woolworths’ approach to reforming injury
management within the organisation listing specific examples and benefits
derived from innovative organisational practices.
20 minutes
Case story success – managing injuries at a distance
Samantha Breust (State Manager WA, ORS Group and ARPA
Award Winner 2013 and 2014)
The winner of the Australian Rehabilitation Providers Association’s 2013
and 2014 Outstanding Return to Work Achievement Awards will share
insights into the challenges facing return to work in remote Western
Australia.
Drawing on lessons learnt by the RU OK? Foundation and
Mental Health First Aid Australia, Stephen will provide
health and wellness strategies for FIFO workers.
20 minutes
2:45 – 2:50
2:50 – 3:30
30 minutes
Mates in Construction
Godfrey Baronie (Chief Executive Officer, Mates
in Construction)
A unique approach to incorporating training in the workplace
to build awareness about the importance of good mental
health and the behaviours that could indicate someone may
be struggling.
Line managers- the key to injury management success
Linda Thompson (Services Manager, RiskCover) and
Michael Johnston (Injury Management Advisor, RiskCover)
Engaging managers during injury management can be challenging.
RiskCover will share an evaluation of line managers’ attitudes and
behaviours following basic injury management training and explore
techniques to encourage managers to become leaders in the injury
management process.
Break
Panel discussion: Managing complex disputes
Participate in a discussion with leading industry experts as
WorkCover WA explores the management of complex disputes
through the Conciliation and Arbitration Services, particularly
those associated with psychological injuries and selfrepresented parties.
Panel Members:
 Professor Tania Sourdin, Monash University,
Centre Director, Australian Centre for Justice
Innovation
 Mr Shane Melville, Registrar District Court WA
30 minutes
10 minutes
Australia’s future workforce challenges
Sanchia Tolomei (Director People and Change, PricewaterhouseCoopers)
Australia’s future workforce demographics are set to change. How will WA’s
workers’ compensation and injury management sector be affected by these
changes? PwC will show us how they have explored and resolved
these challenges with a number of client organisations.
10 minutes
Questions
3:30 – 4:00
Afternoon Tea
4:00 – 4:45
Prevention to Recovery: Workplaces as a catalyst for better mental health
Mr Timothy Marney (Mental Health Commissioner WA)
Mr Marney has been a vocal advocate for mental health issues and has spoken openly of his own experience with depression and anxiety. Share Mr Marney’s
insights on the future directions of mental health in Western Australia.
4:45 – 5:00
Closing Remarks (Karen Tighe)
5:15 – 7:15
Cocktail Reception
WCWA IM Conference Program 2015 – v1
Questions
2
Program is current as at 19 February 2015. Program and timing is subject to change.
WorkCover WA Injury Management Conference 2015 Program Outline
Wednesday 6 May
WorkCover WA Injury Management Conference 2015 Program Outline
Wednesday 6 May 2015
8:00
Registration opens
9:00 – 9:10
Day Two Welcome
Master of Ceremonies, Karen Tighe
9:10 – 9:50
Health Benefits of Work
Dr Steven Overmeire (Occupational Physician, MBBS GDOEH FAFOEM)
Managing difficult psychosocial issues does not fit easily into the traditional medical model or the time constraints of primary health care. The longer someone
remains off work, the less likely it becomes that they will ever return. Dr Overmeire will present evidence on the health benefits of work in promoting recovery
and preventing long term work disability.
9:50 – 10:30
Designing Good Work: What, Why, Who and How
Professor Sharon Parker (University of Western Australia)
What constitutes ‘healthy work’? Professor Parker will share research on good psychological work design and challenges involved in designing healthy work.
10:30-10.45
MC update (Karen Tighe)
10:45 – 11:15
Morning tea
11:15 – 11:55
Concurrent Sessions
30 minutes
10 minutes

Stream One
Body Stressing: The big picture
Stream Two
Injury Management Challenges
Systematic early intervention in musculoskeletal
injuries
Professor Michael Nicholas (Kolling Institute of Medical
Research, Royal North Shore Hospital)
Musculoskeletal injuries comprise the majority of workers’
compensation injuries. Sprains and strains account for over 50%
of all lost time claims in WA. Consider approaches to minimise
poor injury management outcomes for these claims from a
systems perspective.
30 minutes
Recipe for Recovery: Injury management with a contract and labour hire
workforce
Sam Wilson (National Workers’ Compensation Manager, Skilled Group)
Discover approaches to injury management when your worker is performing
work at another organisation’s workplace.
10 minutes
Questions
Questions
11:55 – 12:00
Break
12:00 – 12:45
Excessive sitting – the new RSI of our time?
Professor Leon Straker (Director of Research and Higher
Degree Programs, Curtin University)
Computing advances have slowly expanded sitting based work
worldwide. How can you improve your work systems now and
into the future?
35 minutes
10 minutes
Questions
10 minutes
12:45 – 1:45
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30
Lunchtime vignettes (optional)
35 minutes

1:45 – 2:30
The impact of ageing of the workforce on claims rates and injury
outcomes: the role of chronic disease and use of opiod analgesics
Dr Janneke Bereke-Gisolf (Monash University)
The Australian workforce is aging at a higher rate than the general population.
Increasing age is associated with lost productivity in terms of work-related
injury rates and time until return to work. Dr Bereke-Gisolf will focus on the
challenges of physical comorbidity, mental health and long- term opioid pain
treatment.
Questions
WorkCover WA presentations

WorkCover WA scheme updates and statistical trends (Leona Glasby, Manager Research and Evaluation)

Legislative Review (Chris White, General Manager Scheme Information and Legislation)
Concurrent Sessions
Stream One
Body Stressing: The big picture
Beliefs are central to the rehabilitation of injured workers
Dr Darren Beales (Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist &
NHMRC Research Fellow, Curtin University)
Beliefs are a central factor driving behaviour. This is as true for a
healthcare provider or insurance worker as it is an injured
worker. The importance of beliefs and their powerful effects in
relation to an injured workers’ journey will be explored using
research performed in the West Australian workers’
compensation system.
20 minutes
20 minutes

Translating current knowledge into improved outcomes for
injured workers
Dr Tim Mitchell (Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist &
Research Fellow, Curtin University)
A Clinical Translation Framework for musculoskeletal disorders
developed at Curtin University helps provide a practical platform
for identifying key factors contributing to each individual’s
disorder. Discover its potential for promoting more effective team
management of complex musculoskeletal claims.
WCWA IM Conference Program 2015 – v1
Stream Two
Injury Management Challenges

30 minutes
10 minutes
A pathway to new employment
James Meldrum (National Performance Manager, Advanced Personnel
Management)
The Job Pathways Program is a structured approach to vocational change
including assessment, planning and job-seeking activities. Learn how this
delivers successful results to both job seekers and employers.
Questions
3
Program is current as at 19 February 2015. Program and timing is subject to change.
2:30 – 2:35
2:35 – 3:15
Break
Panel discussion: Preventing delayed recovery and return
to work outcomes for body stressing injuries.
40 minutes
30 minutes
Motivational Interactions: Engaging Workers in Return to Work
Arthur Papagiannis (AP Psychology & Consulting)
An introduction to the core concepts of motivational interactions required to
better facilitate worker engagement, drive client centred behaviour change and
help deliver positive return to work outcomes.
10 minutes
Questions
Panel members:
3:15 – 3:45

Professor Leon Straker (Director of Research and
Higher Degree Programs, Curtin University)

Dr Darren Beales (Specialist Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapist & NHMRC Research Fellow, Curtin
University)

Dr Tim Mitchell (Specialist Musculoskeletal
Physiotherapist & Research Fellow, Curtin University)
Afternoon Tea
3:45 – 4:15
Plenary session
Brad Ness
Brad is a below the knee amputee as a result of a workplace accident when he was 18. This has not stopped him from achieving his goals and aspirations. Back
working on boats within six months, the four time Paralympian and Captain of the Australian Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team will share his return to work
journey and his passion for motivating people of all ages to achieve their dreams.
4:15 – 4:45
Plenary session
Dr Keith Suter
Join Dr Keith Suter, global futurist, highly regarded social commentator, strategic planner and broadcaster as he concludes the conference with a commentary of
his perspective of two days with an insight into workforce challenges into the future, international responses and trends to workplace injury.
4:45 – 5:00
Closing Remarks
WCWA IM Conference Program 2015 – v1
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Program is current as at 19 February 2015. Program and timing is subject to change.