Section 57 (1) provides, in part:
“Where ... an employee has made a claim for compensation under section 54 ... the relevant authority may require the employee to undergo an examination by one legally qualified medical practitioner nominated by the relevant authority.”
As Comcare is the 'relevant authority', this provision allows Comcare, rather than the employee, to select a medical specialist to examine the employee.
Comcare's role of being an independent decision-maker on a claim is taken one step further here. Section 57 (1) can be used to select a doctor who is quite impartial to the case.
Don't therefore misuse the opportunity.
Carefully select the specialist who will be examining the employee, steering clear of doctors with known biases towards or against workers' compensation claims or the condition.
Choose specialists who are known to provide value for money and will not cause unnecessary or protracted delays with return of a report.
Where it is not clear which specialist should be used, other staff in the office should be able to provide a recommendation.