The Workforce Crisis in the Tasmanian Occupational & Environmental Physician Workforce has led to the need for further changes in practice arrangements for the remainder of 2021.

My priority as the only remaining practicing Occupational Physician in Southern Tasmania is be available to support general practitioners and employers in the management of complex cases of work-related injury and to provide advice about work capacity and modifications for complex health conditions impacting on performance or  work fitness.

I will continue to be available to provide strategic advice to organisations about Workplace Health and Safety issues, in addition to continuing my role as Australasian Faculty of Occupational & Environmental Medicine (AFOEM) representative on the Medical Advisory Panel to the WorkCover Tasmania Board.

With only a few exceptions, the practice has put on hold acceptance of any new medico-legal referrals for Independent Medical Review and related activities, such as giving Expert Witness testimony. We will however do our best to accommodate the requests of legal practitioners and the legal system for matters already commenced.

A further strategic priority during this period is the initiatives of the Tasmanian Foundation for Occupational Medicine (TFOM). In my role as Secretary, I will assist TFOM lobby for Industry and Government support to put in place a sustainable training system for Occupational Physicians based in Tasmania as well as provide direct support and assistance to the two current Registrars training as Occupational Physicians in Tasmania (Dr Troy Crowell within this practice and Dr Carlin White based in Launceston).

I apologise for the effect of any reduction in availability might have on workers, employers and legal practitioners who have supported this practice over many years.

Peter Sharman

10 July 2021