Sick Notes to be replaced by 'Fit Notes'
Added On: 5th February 2010
'Fit notes', are set to replace doctors' sick notes for employees in April 2010, with the aim of reducing sickness absence and supporting people with health conditions to stay in, or return to, work. It is hoped that this approach will encourage discussions between individuals and their employers about whether there are any changes to the work environment or role which could aid an earlier return to work.
Whether the new approach succeeds will depend, to a large extent, on how well GPs adapt to using the form. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it will be issuing guidance for doctors on the new medical statement. There will also be specific guidance for employers, although no publication date has been given.
The fit notes will not include an option for doctors to pronounce a patient 'fit for work'; instead GPs will choose from 'unfit for work' and 'may be fit for some work, taking account of the following advice'. There are four courses of action which the doctor can recommend: phased return to work, amended duties, altered hours and workplace adaptations. The DWP recognises that this list is "not exhaustive" but said a more detailed list would overcomplicate the process of completing the medical statement. So, there will be a free-form 'comments' box for when a doctor thinks another option is more appropriate.
The government said the list is intended to encourage discussions between the doctor and patient, as well as between employee and employer, about the best course for getting back to work.
The government said it had taken advice from the Association of British Insurers on this issue, because of the implications for employers' liability insurance
Employers will need to look carefully at how they manage sickness absence. Those with carefully considered return-to-work programmes will be better placed to benefit from the new regime.
Latest - the Department for Work and Pensions has now published guidance on fit notes. This can be accessed at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/fitnote-employer-guide.pdf
