Fitness figures in better shape

STRETCH: This rehabilitation program, run by physiotherapist Anna Lewis at HMAS Kuttabul, helps injured personnel return to full fitness.

Volume 49, No. 15, August 24, 2006

Sea Change encompasses a wide range of initiatives that aim to improve the career management workload of Navy’s people.

This work is being approached from many different angles, including the improved management of Sailors and Officers classified as unfit for sea service.

As a consequence, the last year has seen a significant reduction in the proportion of the workforce who are unfit – dropping from 9 to 7 per cent.

Members are assessed as medically unfit for sea service when they have a Medical Employment Classification of MEC3 – unfit for a period of more than eight weeks but less than a year or MEC4 – unfit for a period in excess of 12 months.

In June 2005 there were 1073 members unfit for sea, by June 2006, this number was reduced to 930 members. This trend indicates further reductions may be possible as a result of current management processes.
“This means that a greater proportion of the Navy workforce is now fit for sea service and deployment, accepting their share of core military duties,” the Director of Sailors’ Career Management, CAPT Mike Noonan said.

Members who experience a medical condition that may result in their being unfit for sea (or deployment) for a period of more than eight weeks are assigned MEC3 status.

This triggers employment restrictions, perhaps posting action, and medical attention to ensure the member is afforded appropriate employment, care and rehabilitation as far as possible. Rehabilitation services will be the subject of significant extra resources allocation and management attention, in the future.

Where it becomes apparent the condition will extend beyond 12 months, the member is normally referred for consideration by the MEC Review Board and is advised to contact the Transition Management Service to initiate compensation claims if appropriate. Career Management Agencies are closely reviewing MEC 3 cases that will extend beyond 12 months to ensure prompt MECRB referral and they have initiated referral of members who have experienced recurrent MEC 3 episodes (the latter on the basis that previous rehabilitation may not have been successful in addressing the condition).

The MECRB comprises Medical, Career Management and Defence Entitlement officers. The role of the MECRB is to consider the current employability of the member and evaluate the potential future employability of the member, given the medical assessment and prognosis. Noting that sea service, deployability and posting mobility are inherent employment requirements for most Officer Primary Qualifications and Sailor Categories, the medical prognosis of a return to unrestricted Service, including seagoing fitness, is usually a fundamental criterion for MECRB determinations.

MECRB evaluation does not always entail initiation of compulsory termination action. Members who cannot serve at sea but who wish to continue employment in their Primary Qualification or Category duties ashore and are able to do so within their medical restrictions as well as meeting posting and workforce requirements, may be offered a Critical Skills Waiver (CSW). CSWs facilitate continued uniformed employment for a period up to three years which may be extended by subsequent MECRBs.

MECRB determinations may be subject to representation by members, who may seek either a review of the medical assessment of their condition, or the employment evaluation (or both) however any representation is to be based on compelling new medical or occupational information.

One of the career management implications for members classified MEC 3 or 4 is promotion. Members who are MEC 3 are able to be considered and selected for promotion but must regain a deployable MEC prior to confirmation of the next rank.

For more information consult DI(G) PERS 16-15 – ADF Medical Employment Classification System http://defweb2.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpedhs/jhsa/Medical_Services/Health_Aspects_Mec_System_Booklet.pdf

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