DEFENCE COMPENSATION INSTRUCTION - NO 36.
Military Compensation Scheme - Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988
INTRODUCTION OF THE INITIAL LIABILITY DECISION SUPPORT MODULE
1.The purpose of this Instruction is to advise MCRS staff of the implementation of the Initial Liability Decision Support Module to all MCRS Offices during July 1998.
Background
2.Initial Liability, Incapacity and Permanent Impairment are the three main decision making and expenditure processes within the MCRS function.
3.The Defcare Project aims to provide significant value adding decision making support tools in these three areas. These tools will all utilise expert system technology, based on the requirements of relevant legislation, include detailed policy support via on line commentary and, when fully developed, will provide significant efficiencies and consistencies. In due course, these tools will be integrated within the main Defcare application, Military Compensation and Payments.
4.The Incapacity Calculator has been implemented and is now in use nationally as a standalone tool accessed via Winframe. Development of the Permanent Impairment decision support and calculation tool is nearing completion.
5.The Initial Liability Decision Support Module has been developed and tested using the same software, development and testing methodology as earlier used for the Incapacity Calculator. This module, again using established methodology, will be implemented, with accompanying training, into all MCRS Offices during July 98. The timetable for this activity has previously been advised to MCRS Managers.
Benefits and use
6.Use of the Initial Liability Decision Support Module is mandatory for all new liability decisions with a date of injury post 1/12/88. Such injuries represent around 70% of all new claims. Rules based on the 1971 and 1930 Acts are not included in this version of the module.
7.The introduction of this module is planned to deliver the following benefits:
- Consistency in decision making;
- Provision of nationally consistent policy guidance via commentary;
- Assistance to delegates in the legislative decision making process;
- An element of training in the decision making process (especially for less experienced delegates);
- A clear record of the decision making process and factors considered; and
- Provide a platform for future improvements
Future versions
8.The current version of the module is expected to obtain benefits as described above. Development will continue in the following areas:
- Integration with the Military Compensation and Payments;
- Integration with correspondence;
- Incorporation of specific injury handling and risk management
- Inclusion of rules for 1971 and 1930 Acts
Impelementation
9.Two two person implementation teams drawn from staff from our SA, NT, NSW and Vic Offices will implement the module during July. The teams will also randomly sample 20 existing cases in each MCRS office using the module. The intention of this sampling is to provide a base line against which future improvements in liability decision making can be measured.
10.The contact officer for any queries regarding this matter is Mr Craig Boyd on tel (02) 6266 8358.
CLAUDE NEUMANN
ASPSIM
July 1998