❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding PTSD claims and wellness support for Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) personnel. Provides data on claim processing times, compensation paid, required evidence, and details of the DFES Wellness Branch.
AnsweredQoN 1283Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Legislative Council question on notice 1177 in relation to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) protections for emergency services personnel, and I ask: (a) for each of the 39 instances in which a claim was made between 2019-20 to 2021-22, what was the time (in days) between each claim being lodged and it being determined; (b) for each of the 36 instances in which a claim was accepted between 2019-20 to 2021-22, what was the compensation paid; (c) what evidence is required to be provided by a worker to determine a claim of this nature; (d) noting that often a diagnosis of PTSD occurs post-retirement, what limitations apply to a retired worker seeking a claim under workers compensation; and (e) I refer to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Wellness Branch, please provide: (i) the number of FTE employed in the branch; (ii) the title of each position; (iii) whether any vacancy exists and for what period has each vacancy existed; and (iv) the total budget allocation provided to the Branch?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 March 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
6 days
(a) (b)The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
2019 - 2020
Total Paid
Accepted
No. of days
1
286,986.05
Yes
12
2
51,538.05
Yes
4
3
281,299.44
Yes
6
4
202,914.61
Yes
1
5
345,754.63
Yes
15
6
223
No
6
7
2,636
Yes
4
8
219.10
No
2
9
4,090
No
52
10
2,763.12
Yes
5
11
98,294.17
Yes
24
12
265,107.28
Yes
6
13
162,406.17
Yes
13
14
1,671.43
Yes
7
2020 - 2021
Total Paid
Accepted
No. of days
1
101,476.22
Yes
2
2
231,385.20
Yes
2
3
240,854.90
Yes
10
4
5,960.08
Yes
11
5
259,386.62
Yes
5
6
140,980.50
Yes
5
7
84,557.47
Yes
6
8
114,489.95
Yes
5
2021 - 2022
Total Paid
Accepted
No. of days
1
211,008
Yes
10
2
14,234
No
10
3
20,118
Yes
5
4
68,421
Yes
11
5
162,359
Yes
8
6
39,358
Yes
9
7
172,757
Yes
7
8
135,236
Yes
11
9
128,051
Yes
10
10
87,123
Yes
10
11
3,462
No
14
12
121,560
Yes
2
13
106,853
Yes
32
14
17,746
Yes
11
15
20,467
Yes
2
16
56,842
Yes
9
17
152
Yes
5
(c) The documentation required for submission of a workers’ compensation claim includes the WorkCover First Medical Certificate generally issued by the treating General Practitioner and the Completion of a Workers’ Compensation claim Form (2B). The Insurer will assess liability of the claim on the information provided and, where required gain further evidence to support the determination.
(d) No limitations exist post-exit for a retired worker to submit a workers’ compensation claim. All claims are considered as per the standard process.
(e) (i) There are currently 6 FTE based in the Wellness Team.
(ii) This includes:
1 x District Officer
3 x Wellness Officers
1 x Critical Incident Co Ordinator
1 x Wellness Chaplain
(iii) There are currently no vacancies for this team.
(iv) The total annual budget for FY23 is $1,116,465.00
2019 - 2020
Total Paid
Accepted
No. of days
1
286,986.05
Yes
12
2
51,538.05
Yes
4
3
281,299.44
Yes
6
4
202,914.61
Yes
1
5
345,754.63
Yes
15
6
223
No
6
7
2,636
Yes
4
8
219.10
No
2
9
4,090
No
52
10
2,763.12
Yes
5
11
98,294.17
Yes
24
12
265,107.28
Yes
6
13
162,406.17
Yes
13
14
1,671.43
Yes
7
2020 - 2021
Total Paid
Accepted
No. of days
1
101,476.22
Yes
2
2
231,385.20
Yes
2
3
240,854.90
Yes
10
4
5,960.08
Yes
11
5
259,386.62
Yes
5
6
140,980.50
Yes
5
7
84,557.47
Yes
6
8
114,489.95
Yes
5
2021 - 2022
Total Paid
Accepted
No. of days
1
211,008
Yes
10
2
14,234
No
10
3
20,118
Yes
5
4
68,421
Yes
11
5
162,359
Yes
8
6
39,358
Yes
9
7
172,757
Yes
7
8
135,236
Yes
11
9
128,051
Yes
10
10
87,123
Yes
10
11
3,462
No
14
12
121,560
Yes
2
13
106,853
Yes
32
14
17,746
Yes
11
15
20,467
Yes
2
16
56,842
Yes
9
17
152
Yes
5
(c) The documentation required for submission of a workers’ compensation claim includes the WorkCover First Medical Certificate generally issued by the treating General Practitioner and the Completion of a Workers’ Compensation claim Form (2B). The Insurer will assess liability of the claim on the information provided and, where required gain further evidence to support the determination.
(d) No limitations exist post-exit for a retired worker to submit a workers’ compensation claim. All claims are considered as per the standard process.
(e) (i) There are currently 6 FTE based in the Wellness Team.
(ii) This includes:
1 x District Officer
3 x Wellness Officers
1 x Critical Incident Co Ordinator
1 x Wellness Chaplain
(iii) There are currently no vacancies for this team.
(iv) The total annual budget for FY23 is $1,116,465.00
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