Situation
Ballarat Health Services offers a comprehensive range of services in acute, extended and aged care, and psychiatric care with both inpatient and outpatient facilities. It maintains the only Level 1 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in Western Victoria along with coronary care, day surgery, emergency medicine, and radiology.

For Ballarat Health Services employees providing such care creates workplace risks, not only for physical injuries in lifting and handling patients, but also for chemical and biological exposures. Faced with increasing numbers and severity of claims, and frustrated with the quality of administrative processing and support of its then current administrator for WorkCover claims, Ballarat sought a new service provider not only for claims management, but also for risk reduction

Solution
Following a thorough search for a new claims and risk management partner, Ballarat Health Services chose Cambridge. Executive management cites as its reasons for choosing Cambridge not only our administrative efficiencies, but also our focus on injury prevention and early intervention; our commitment to risk management; and our constructive, collaborative approach in working with the company. Specific deliverables included consultation with key stakeholders to generate “ownership” of the new program, a risk status assessment and audit report, a root cause analysis of sprain and strain claims, and the development of a business case for additional risk management resources.

Results
As a result of partnering with Cambridge, Ballarat says it has identified its risk “hotspots,” developed a strategic risk management plan, and implemented targeted risk mitigation programs to reduce strain and sprain injuries. The company also reports that while there is much work yet to be done, it has achieved a significant reduction in injuries and claims and that Cambridge, by delivering on its promises, has had a highly positive impact on the safety and welfare of its employees.

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