Another Injured Workers Story

I have sent letters to the ministers involved in workcover. One of the latest
letters is below.

I am requesting an immediate, fully transparent, independent investigation
into the serious difficulties faced by people in Australia in obtaining appropriate
health care and accurate medical reporting in regard to current and future
Workcover, Accident and other compensation claims.

In particular I request an in depth investigation into, the corruption in the
Health system, the accuracy of patient radiology scans and reporting, the
accuracy of the medical assessments and reports when involving patients
on Workcover, Motor Accident Claims and other insurance claims.

Why is there a wide spread practice in Australia of inaccurate reporting and
processing of radiology scans when it involves current and future compensation
claims especially in regards to people who have Motor accidents and WorkCover
claims.

Medical Specialists and General Practitioners subsequently accept the radiology
reports. The patient would therefore not receive appropriate medical treatment
and would be left with untreated injuries which results in the patient being in
pain and not be able to return to work or normal daily activities.

This cost saving system has and would have a negative effect on the recovery
of the injured people. Is this is a cost saving system used by the State
Governments to reduce compensation payments in CTP, WorkCover
and other insurance claims?How many people are suffering with medical
conditions left untreated due to inaccurate medical reports?

How many people have died or will die as a direct or indirect result of the
inaccurate and incomplete medical reports and medical assessments?

Are Doctors required to ignore serious medical conditions that are clearly
visible in the radiology scans but not reported on paper?

Why are Doctors paid several hundred dollars for a half hour medical
assessment and a short incomplete and inaccurate medical report on patients
with Workcover and accident claims?

Why is there an increasing number of Medical Specialists in Australia, who
will not provide medical treatment or medical assessments for people with
Workcover and accident claims?

Why is it that Neurosurgeons in South Australia will not provide an
appointment for people who are on an insurance claims?

This is very dangerous in regard to life threatening conditions.

Why is it that the Neurosurgery Department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital
will not provide outpatient treatment for new patients who have active
CTP and insurance claims?

Is this unsafe cost saving system used in the emergency departments of
the public hospital system to cut costs on medical treatment for patients who
don't have private health insurance?

Is, or at anytime in the past, the Medical Indemnity cover for Medical
practitioners in Australia subsidized by the Government?If the Government
subsidies exist or existed, what are or were the requirements by Doctors
in return for these subsidies?

Do Medical practitioners obtain any advantages in return for producing
inaccurate and incomplete medical reports in regard to Workcover, Accident
and other insurance claims patients?

Do Insurance Company in particular EML and Allianz have any involvement
in the inaccurate reporting of radiology films and the incomplete and
inaccurate medical reports and medical assessments of injured people on
Workcover and accident claims?

Why does the medical and rehabilitation treatment have to be agreed to by
a claims manager, who does not have a medical degree, before treatment can
begin for the injured person?

Is this a way of limiting the medical treatment costs of the people on Workcover,
Motor accident and other insurance claims?

Why is there an arrangement which allows Doctors to bill Medicare and the
insurer for treatment given to insurance claim patients?

Are the people of Australia on Workcover and accident claims being denied
appropriate medical care because of inaccurate reports and opinions from
medical professionals?

Mr. Tony Abbott MP asked Dr Rohan Hammett, Principal Medical Adviser
to the TGA, to meet with me to discuss the Medical Research I have completed.
Dr Rohan Hammett contacted Professor Chris Baggoley in relation to the
several serious problems brought to his attention in obtaining appropriate
health care for my family and for people who have WorkCover and Motor
Accident insurance claims.

I attended a meeting in August 2007 with, Professor Chris Baggoley Chief
Medical Officer of South Australia, Dr R. Webb Director Public Health and
Clinical Coordination, Assoc Professor Kaye Challinger Executive Director
Acute Services Central Northern Adelaide Health Service, Dr Rima Staugas
Chief Executive of Children's, Youth and Women's Health Service in South
Australia. At the meeting it was agreed all of my families radiology films
would be accurately re-reported, followed by appropriate medical assessments
and medical treatment for my family and me.

In January 2008 a second meeting was called by Dr. R. Webb, to discuss the
progress and to listen to my views. There had been no progress in obtaining
accurate re-reporting of all our radiology films or appropriate medical treatment.

Mr. John Hill MP, Health Minister of South Australia, had also requested me
to attend the meeting so as to move forward in finding a solution to obtaining
quality health care in Australia.

A positive outcome or solution to the persistent problems of the quality in
radiology scans, incorrect reporting, inability to obtain appropriate medical
treatment for my family and me, or for the people injured at work, in car
accidents, or other insurance claims, has not been achieved during the meetings
with the Health Department Representatives.

Ms. Toni Hoffman made several complaints to the Health Departments in
raising her concerns of patient safety at Bundaberg Hospital, she was disregarded.
I, like Ms. Hoffman will continue to raise these concerns until a solution is
found.

I, again, request an immediate, fully transparent, independent investigation
into the corruption in the Health system, in particular the accuracy of patient
radiology scans and reporting, medical assessments and reports when
involving patients on Workcover, Motor Accident Claims and other insurance
claims.
(Sent to me by Jo WCV)