Our experienced GPs can do pre-employment medicals and also manage injuries sustained at work through WorkCover.

Pre-employment medicals

An employer may require a prospective employee to have a physical examination prior to hiring. This pre-employment medical is designed to ensure the suitability of an individual for a particular job. The aim is to screen individuals for risk factors that may limit their ability to perform a job safely and effectively. This examination usually includes a series of health questions and a physical examination. Drug and alcohol testing, and occasionally blood tests, may also be required as a condition of employment.

We have a standard pre-employment medical report that has been developed to ensure that information is provided in a clear and concise manner. We can also tailor our pre-employment evaluations to fit an employer’s specific requirements. We understand that all employers need to know that candidates can fulfil the physical and mental demands of the job they will be doing.

Main Road Medical Centre ensures that pre-employment report results are returned to the employers in a timely fashion, to assist in their recruiting decisions.

Pre-employment assessments

Pre-employment assessments are performed by our experienced doctors, with assistance from our registered nurses. A basic pre-employment examination involves:

A full physical examination, including weight, height, BMI (body mass index)
Visual acuity testing – eyesight checks, assessment for colour blindness
Cardiovascular assessment (heart check, blood pressure, pulse)
Respiratory examination
Central nervous system examination
Urinalysis for diabetes or kidney / bladder disorders
Examination for hernias and other abdominal abnormalities
Musculoskeletal assessment including comprehensive range of movement

Depending on the company’s requirements, it may also involve:

Audiometry (hearing assessment)
Spirometry (lung function testing)
Drug and alcohol screening
Immunisation for certain occupations
Blood tests to ensure immunity after work-related vaccinations

We also offer:

New South Wales Coal Board medicals (Order 41)
Commercial Vehicle Driver medicals.
Onsite Influenza and other vaccination programs.

WorkCover Injury Management

At Main Road Medical Centre, our doctors are experienced at evaluating and treating WorkCover related injuries. An injury is ‘a personal injury arising out of, or in the course of, employment if the employment is a significant contributing factor to the injury.’ Injuries can be physical or psychological.

We appreciate that accidents can happen at any time. Our goal is to see functional restoration in our patients so that every patient can restore their health and return to work with minimized risk and optimal work capability. Our surgeries have treatment rooms that are capable of managing the majority of workplace injuries.

Examples of different types of injuries covered include:

physical injuries—such as lacerations, wound repairs, burns, industrial deafness
psychiatric or psychological disorders — such as anxiety or depression
diseases— such as asbestosis
aggravation of a pre-existing condition

Support for returning to work

We appreciate that for every employer, the health and safety of their staff is essential. Our doctors have undertaken additional training in the management of work place injuries and understand that most employers have ‘Return to Work Programs’ and we also understand the importance and benefits of reducing Lost Time Injuries. Through appropriate clinical intervention and management, we aim to support the worker to return to work and where possible, recover at work.

Most injured workers take little or no time off work. For those that do, the vast majority (more than 80%) return to and recover at work within the first 13 weeks. Many conditions settle with conservative management. Our doctors are experts in treating and returning injured workers back to the workplace as soon as it is safe to do so. Getting back to work is an important step in recovering from a work-related injury and means a worker can return to a normal life, often reducing the financial and emotional impact on them and their family.

Our doctors often contact the employer to discuss the injury and whether suitable/alternative duties are available. We like to collaborate with employers to identify suitable work options, taking into account the worker’s usual job, the workplace, and available short term suitable work options.

When an injury takes longer to recover, we work closely with rehabilitation organisations, insurers and specialists to achieve the best possible outcomes for the patient. We have a network of Allied Health Professionals, Sports Medicine Physicians, Rheumatologists, Neurologists and Orthopaedic Surgeons to whom we can refer.

We understand that it is often difficult to make an appointment for injuries that occur at work and we make every effort to accommodate employees with acute injuries.

Please contact us for more details.