WorkCover Orthopaedic Surgeon in Brisbane

Who Dr Borshch sees under WorkCover

Dr Borshch accepts referrals for injured workers whose claim is with WorkCover Queensland, a self-insured employer, Comcare or an interstate workers' compensation scheme. He sees fractures of all kinds, from simple fractures that need a plan and follow-up to complex injuries that need surgery, as well as knee, hip, foot and ankle conditions arising from a workplace injury. This includes new injuries, injuries that have not settled with initial treatment, and patients who would like a second opinion about their work-related problem.

Patients are seen for the same thorough assessment as any other patient: a history of how the injury happened and what the job involves, a clinical examination, and review of any imaging. Where imaging is needed, Dr Borshch can arrange it, and as a specialist he can refer for MRI under the WorkCover scheme where that is appropriate.

How a WorkCover appointment works

A WorkCover claim usually begins with a work capacity certificate from your GP or the hospital that first treated you, and a claim lodged with the insurer. Your GP, emergency department or treating doctor can then refer you to Dr Borshch. When you book, please give our reception your claim number, the name of your insurer and, if you have it, your claims manager's contact details, so that approved consultation costs can be billed to the insurer rather than to you.

If your claim has been accepted, approved consultations and treatment are generally paid by the insurer. If your claim is still being decided, or has not been accepted, you may be asked to pay for your appointment and claim it back from the insurer later; our reception will explain this before your appointment, and our Fees and Rebates page sets out how funding works in general terms.

Please bring your referral, your claim details, any imaging and reports, and your most recent work capacity certificate. You can read more about what happens on the day on our Your First Appointment page.

Surgery under WorkCover

Where surgery is recommended, the insurer must approve it before it can be booked. Dr Borshch's rooms complete the insurer's request for surgery approval, including the work-related diagnosis and the expected recovery and return-to-work timeframe. Once approval is received, surgery is scheduled at Brisbane Private Hospital. Emergency fracture surgery is managed differently, with the hospital treating the injury first and the insurer notified afterwards.

Not every work injury needs an operation. Many fractures and soft-tissue injuries are treated without surgery, and Dr Borshch will discuss the surgical and non-surgical options with you so that the decision reflects your injury, your work and your goals.

Return to work and communication

Recovering from a work injury involves more people than most orthopaedic problems: your GP, your employer, the insurer and often a rehabilitation provider. Dr Borshch provides work capacity certificates and specialist reports when they are requested, sets out realistic restrictions and timeframes for returning to duties, and communicates with your GP and the insurer so that everyone is working from the same plan. The aim is a safe return to work that does not put your recovery at risk.

Information for referring doctors

Dr Borshch accepts WorkCover and workers' compensation referrals for fractures and for knee, hip, foot and ankle injuries. To help the first appointment run smoothly, please include the patient's claim number and insurer, a copy of the current work capacity certificate, the mechanism of injury and the patient's usual duties, and any imaging with details of where the images can be viewed.

Referrals can be sent through the online referral form, by fax to (07) 3050 0760 or by email to reception@queenslandsurgerycentre.com.au. For acute fractures or other urgent problems, please phone the rooms on (07) 3123 7148 so the referral can be triaged. More detail is on our For Referrers page.