By mid 2000 BICMA had determined to address the thorny question of quality standard for those offering case management services
One of the features of cases involving those with severe injuries was the need for a case manager to co-ordinate the provision of care services for the accident victim. In cases of catastrophic injury this involved maintaining a care and nursing regime, liaison with local and national agencies, dealing with the victims family and so forth. In less severe cases the task might only involve a couple of telephone calls a week to arrange transport or monitoring visits.
There had been no recognised quality standard for those offering case management services. Lawyers and insurers had no way of knowing whether the person that they were instructing to look after the needs of a disabled person were suitably qualified and experienced or not. The possible consequences for the disabled person of getting the choice wrong was potentially disastrous.
To remedy this BICMA facilitated the creation of the Case Management Society of the UK, based on the model of the USA organisation.
The Case Management Society UK (CMSUK), is a non-profit association of Case Managers, a registered charity, run by Case Managers and committed to the delivery of quality case management through standards of best practice while promoting the individual and collective development of case management throughout the United Kingdom.
The creation of this organisation was a major step forward in the care and welfare of accident victims and greatly assists those who represent them and those who bear financial responsibility for their care.
