Time off work or loss of wages to attend medical treatment can be considered to be a period of incapacity and can be compensated under the incapacity provisions. Section 19 of the Act indicates there is an entitlement to payment where an employee: "... is incapacitated for work as a result of an injury ...". 'Injury' may be extended to include any treatments associated with that injury. In this case 'incapacity' may be interpreted as an inability to engage in work due to an absence from work to obtain treatment.. In such cases evidence of attending the appointment and also for loss of wages is required before payment can be made. NO medical certificate is required.
Claimants should be encouraged to discuss suitable times to seek treatment with their employer, to ensure that treatment is usually undertaken outside normal working hours.