First Responders - Closing Loopholes
In alignment with guidance from the Australian Psychological Society (APS), the Federal Government has unveiled significant amendments to enhance the support for first responders grappling with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (#ptsd).
These revisions effectively close existing loopholes and establish presumptive rights for first responders when filing PTSD insurance claims. The intent is to simplify the process, facilitating the acceptance of claims and ensuring timely access to psychological treatment.
First responders have historically faced a disproportionate prevalence of PTSD compared to the general population. Previously burdened with the challenge of proving that their PTSD originated from their duties, navigating the insurance claim process has been an arduous task.
A pivotal aspect of the changes is the formal recognition and prioritization of psychologists in the assessment and treatment of first responders with PTSD. The APS expresses its satisfaction in contributing to this positive transformation, which successfully passed through the Senate yesterday afternoon.
Encompassed within the Closing Loopholes Bill, the government commits to:
Reversing the burden of proof for first responders with PTSD, enhancing accessibility to work health and safety support for paramedics, firefighters, and federal police officers.
Implementing new guidelines for independent medical assessments of workers.
Initiating a comprehensive independent review of Comcare, the national work health and safety, and workers' compensation authority.
These commendable alterations come at a crucial juncture as emergency services navigate a demanding period of community needs, compounded by the ongoing impact of climate-related natural disasters nationwide.
*Source: The Australian Psychological Society (APS)*
Axis Clinical Psychology warmly welcomes this announcement, which empowers First Responders with presumptive rights for PTSD insurance claims, streamlining the process for claim acceptance and ensuring swift access to psychological treatment.
