Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2006/Medical classifications: more fit for sea in 2006
By Annie Casey
More people are being classified fit for sea service thanks to better management. In the past 12 months, the proportion of sailors and officers classed as 'unfit for sea' has dropped from nine to seven per cent.
In June 2005 there were 1073 members unfit for sea. By June 2006 this year, this number was reduced to 930 members. This trend indicates further reductions may be possible as a result of current management processes.
[Members are assessed as medically unfit for sea service when they have a Medical Employment Classification (MEC) of MEC3 - unfit for a period of more than eight weeks but less than a year; or MEC4 - unfit for more than 12 months.]
"This means that a greater proportion of the workforce is now appropriately fit for military employment, accepting their share of core military duties," said the Director of Sailors' Career Management, CAPT Peter Laver.
HMAS Manoora's boarding party practice compliant boarding insertions. Pic by ABPH
Members who experience a medical condition that may result in their being unfit for sea (or deployment) for more than eight weeks are assigned MEC3 status. This triggers employment restrictions, perhaps posting action, and medical attention to ensure the member is given 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 MEC3 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. Its role 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 basic criterion for MECRB determinations.
LSMED Rebecca Kutasi checks the blood pressure of LSHSO Baden Holmes at HMAS Coonawarra. Pic by POPH Damian Pawlenko
MECRB evaluation does not always lead to action to terminate a member's service. Those who cannot serve at sea but 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 critical skills waivers (CSWs). CSWs facilitate continued uniformed employment for a period up to three years which may be extended by subsequent MECRBs.
A member can seek a review of MECRB determinations - either a review of the medical assessment of their condition, or the employment evaluation (or both) but representation must be based on compelling new medical or occupational information. The MECRB welcomes the opportunity to consider new information as it is presented and will amend decisions accordingly.
One of the career management implications for members classified MEC3 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. Failure to achieve this may result in the promotion being withdrawn. MEC 4 members are unable to be considered for promotion and will remain at their substantive rank.
More information is in DI(G) PERS 16-15 - ADF Medical Employment Classification System and defweb2.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpedhs/jhsa/Medical_Services/Health_Aspects_Mec_System_Booklet.pdf
HMAS Manoora's boarding party practice compliant boarding insertions. Pic by ABPH
LSMED Rebecca Kutasi checks the blood pressure of LSHSO Baden Holmes at HMAS Coonawarra. Pic by POPH Damian Pawlenko
