Primary treating medical practitioners (PTMPs)

What is a primary treating medical practitioner

The primary treating medical practitioner (PTMP) is the medical practitioner chosen by the worker to participate in the injury management process.

A worker has the right to select their own PTMP. It’s usually the worker’s own doctor/GP.

For a worker to make a valid claim for workers compensation, they must submit a Workers Compensation Certificate of Capacity (medical certificate) issued by a medical practitioner; that is:

• someone registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law in the medical profession; or
• someone authorised under another country’s laws to carry out the functions that, if carried out in Australia, would be required to be registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.

Role of PTMP

You have an important role in the primary care, recovery and medical management of an injured worker.

You will have continuing contact with the injured worker throughout their injury management and return to work.

Your role is to:

• provide primary medical care to the injured worker
• diagnose the nature of the injury or illness
• refer the injured worker to specialist care, or provide the injury management co-ordinator with information for them to co-ordinate care
• provide Workers Compensation Certificates of Capacity (medical certificates)
• inform the employer about any specific work restrictions
• monitor, review and advise on the worker’s condition, progress, work capacity and treatment
• take part in developing return to work plans and injury management plans.

To help you when requesting treatment, you may like to use the Workers Compensation: Request for Treatment form to send to the employer or insurer of the worker (PDF, 177.2 KB).

WorkSafe Tasmania resources

Managing workplace injuries in Tasmania: A handbook for primary treating medical practitioners (PDF, 684.0 KB)

Workers Compensation: Request for Treatment form (PDF, 177.2 KB)

Other resources

Clinical Framework for the Delivery of Health Services: WorkSafe Victoria WorkCover Tasmania endorses the Clinical Framework but does not require its use, nor is its application required under any Tasmanian legislation. It is not issued by WorkCover Tasmania for the purposes of the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988; and is not made available or recommended by WorkCover Tasmania for the purposes of fulfilling legislative responsibilities.

Health benefits of good work: Royal Australasian College of Physicians