Where a serving member with an accepted condition is identified as likely to be discharged on medical grounds, the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) will retain responsibility for the member’s rehabilitation until the actual date of separation from the ADF. However, early liaison and communication between the ADFRP Rehabilitation Consultant/Rehabilitation for Reservist (R4R) Case Manager and the DVA Rehabilitation Coordinator will help facilitate a smooth transition when the rehabilitation authority changes from the CDF to the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (MRCC).
Handover reporting
When the member is being prepared for handover to DVA prior to their medical separation, a Handover Case Conference should take place between the ADFRP Rehabilitation Consultant/ R4R Case Manager, the DVA Rehabilitation Coordinator, and other stakeholders including the client (if appropriate). The conference should discuss and identify key issues relating to the member's rehabilitation and identify contact points that can be used if there are issues that need to be clarified once the MRCC becomes the person's rehabilitation authority.
Where a members has an open rehabilitation program, a Transfer Handover Report should be provided to DVA.
The Transfer Handover Report should provide detail on:
- medical and rehabilitation aids and appliances, alterations and modifications;
- vocational rehabilitation and related activities;
- other rehabilitation services required such as household services and attendant care; and
- outcomes identified if a Handover Case Conference had occurred.
Where the client provides consent, and they are available, the following documents should also be provided:
- vocational assessments;
- functional capacity evaluations;
- activities of daily living assessments; and
- any other relevant documents.
It is important that the DVA Rehabilitation Coordinator reviews the relevant information on the person's file and the ADF rehabilitation assessments to ensure that they have an understanding of the person's needs and circumstances, and what services and support have been provided by the ADFRP or R4R Program.
Ongoing communication between the ADFRP/R4R Program throughout the transition process will enhance the continuity and the coordination of:
- the transition of a person's rehabilitation authority (see section 4.3 of this chapter);
- Career Transition Assistance in conjunction with post discharge rehabilitation planning (see section 4.4 of this chapter);
- income support or incapacity entitlements (see section 4.5 of this chapter);
- treatment/medical costs (see section 4.5 of this chapter);
- provision of aids and appliances, alterations to a person's place of residence, education or employment,
- motor vehicle assistance;
- services such as attendant care or household services (see section 4.5 of this chapter); and
- other benefits or entitlements (see section 4.5 of this chapter).