The National Health Service has modified the process of obtaining sick notes. The changes that came into effect on July 01, should help reduce the pressure on NHS doctors and GPs as the service struggles to hire more healthcare professionals.
Discover our latest podcast
What’s new?
Until last Friday, you would have to go through the arduous task of securing an appointment with a doctor to receive proof of ill health which you can then present to your employer if you have been off work for more than seven days.
But now, the NHS has expanded the pool of professionals authorized to certify Fit notes, as they’re called. They include occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists, Chronicle Live reports.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP), the move should help cut the bureaucracy in the system due to an ongoing recruitment crisis in the UK.
The change… will support and empower better conversations about work and health between employers and staff by making it easier to get this advice certified by the most relevant healthcare professional..
‘Unnecessary bureaucracy’
The directive follows the introduction of digital certification of sick notes in April to “simplify the process of issuing and receiving” fit notes, the DWP said at the time. The department said it’s one of the measures being put in place to deal with the backlog left in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The British Medical Association welcomed the change which also gives specialist nurses such as those who work with diabetics, the authority to certify these notes. The BMA England GP committee deputy chair, Dr Kieran Sharrock said:
At a time when the entire NHS is under pressure, reducing unnecessary administration and bureaucracy, while taking a more flexible and pragmatic approach to patient services is absolutely vital.
As has been the case in the past, fit notes can only be issued based on an assessment of a person’s fitness for work. This means it cannot be issued on request or via over-the-counter services.
Read more:
⋙ Childbirth: Why are some NHS trusts still promoting natural birth after 'damning' report?
⋙ Cervical cancer: NHS urge people with a cervix to attend cervical cancer screenings
⋙ Diabetes: This NHS diet has helped thousands of overweight people shed pounds
