Before your Panel hearing

We'll schedule a Panel hearing for you as soon as we can, with the most suitable Medical Panel. However, our medical doctors don't work here on a full-time basis and waiting times will depend on the type of injury, the type of questions the Panel needs to address and the availability of doctors.

It usually takes 6 to 8 weeks from the time we receive your referral, but it could be closer to 8 to 12 weeks for more complicated cases or if the doctors needed aren't available.

Once we receive a referral, we send acknowledgment letters to all parties. We will contact you directly to find a suitable Panel hearing time. The waiting time for a Panel hearing depends on the type of injury and the availability of the most appropriate panel members.

Once a Panel hearing time has been set, a confirmation letter is sent approximately four weeks before the hearing with details of:

• the Panel Members' names and specialties
• the date, time and location of the hearing

We allocate 75 minutes for most Medical Panel hearings.

Depending on the complexity of your injury and the questions for the Panel, some hearings may be only 30 minutes or could be as long as 90 minutes (or may be shorter or longer).

Most people attend only one hearing. However, you may need to come to a second hearing, depending on your situation, the Panel Member's questions, and the availability of doctors (different doctors from the same Panel may need to see you at different times).

Most Panel hearings take place at our Melbourne (CBD) office:

Level 6 (North Tower)
485a La Trobe Street
Melbourne

Sometimes Panel hearings will need to take place offsite if they require special equipment, such as hearing loss exams, eye exams and lung function exams. Your letter will confirm where the Panel hearing is being held and if there are any specific instructions you need to follow.

There are some instances where a videoconference Panel hearing may be suitable (psychiatric injuries), and you will receive a call from our office with additional support in using Zoom.

If you are required to attend a face to face Panel hearing (physical injuries), there may be instances where one of the Panel Members is required to attend via videoconference to ensure social distancing requirements are met within our examination rooms. In these instances, you will still be required to attend in person as will the remainder of the Panel.

You will not need to pay anything for your Panel hearing.

For WorkCover cases the cost is paid by the WorkSafe Agent or self-insured employer.

For Wrongs Act claims the cost is paid by the respondent (the person or company who the claim is against).

Yes you get help organising travel to your Panel hearing.

For a WorkCover claim you should contact your WorkCover Agent or self-insured employer.

For non-WorkCover claims (Wrongs Act), you should contact your representative.

We understand that sometimes you won't be able to attend you Panel hearing. If this is the case, please contact our office as soon as possible to let us know on 1800 061 715.

Depending on the circumstances, we can reschedule the Panel hearing or put the matter on hold for you. Please note that if your Panel hearing needs to be rescheduled, it will cause a delay in resolving your case. For WorkCover claims, if you fail to attend on multiple occasions it may lead to suspension of your weekly payments, medical treatment or medication expenses, etc.

We understand that sometimes unexpected delays happen. If you're running late please contact the Medical Panels' office on 1800 061 715 to let us know.

If you're running very late, the Medical Panel hearing may need to be cancelled and rescheduled to another date and time. This is to ensure the Medical Panel has enough time to spend on your assessment.

Sometimes the Medical Panel may be running late. This can happen because of a medical emergency or the complexity of some Panel hearings. If you're able to wait, the Panel will see you as soon as they can. If not, please let our reception staff know and another Panel hearing time will be arranged for you.

Yes. In these cases you're entitled to have another person present at your Panel hearing to represent you.

Please don't bring children to your Panel hearing, as the Panel would like to speak to you without distraction. If you do, your Panel hearing may need to be postponed/rescheduled.

If you need to reschedule due to childcare commitments, please contact our office on 1800 061 715.

If you have a copy of the following information relating to your injury, you should bring it to your Panel hearing:

• X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, nerve conduction studies and the reports that go with them
• Results of any other tests (e.g. blood tests, urine tests or any other tests)
• A list of medications

Yes, if you want to provide the Medical Panel with additional information you can. This may be medical reports from a hospital, doctor or allied health professional, a summary of information in your own words, etc. This can be sent by mail, email or fax. This information doesn't have to be provided on the day of the hearing, but could be sent to our office before or after your hearing. However, once the Medical Panel has formed its opinion, no additional information will be considered.

Please note: Any information you provide to the Medical Panel will be provided to the other parties involved. If you've been sent to the Medical Panel by the Magistrates' Court or County Court, any information you want to give to the Panel needs to be approved by the magistrate or judge before it's given to the Medical Panel, and is best provided to the Panel through your representatives.

We can:

• tell you the types of referrals that we deal with
• explain the Medical Panels' referral and/or Panel hearing process
• facilitate and change your Panel hearing to a time that's suitable for you
• ensure suitable support is in place (e.g. interpreters)