August/September 2022 (vol. 19/2)

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A focus on fit notes

Will the revised rules on issuing fit notes improve work outcomes?

Summary:

As of July 2022, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacists can certify the ‘fit note’. Cameron Black, Sivaramkumar Shanmugam and Lorna Paul consider whether this change offers a solution for well-documented problems with fit-note certification.

Twelve years ago, on 6 April 2010, a new ‘statement of fitness for work’ or ‘fit note’ was introduced across the UK. It replaced the former sickness certificate, which was primarily for the purposes of social security and Statutory Sick Pay. The fit note introduced optional advice that the general practitioner (GP) or hospital doctor could give to employers, stating that the individual ‘may be fit for work taking account of the following advice’, with check boxes for the doctor to use to suggest a phased return to work, amended duties, altered hours or workplace adaptations. The doctor could add written comments. As of July 2022, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists are also able to certify the fit note…

Cameron Black is a physiotherapist in OH and wellbeing at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Professor Lorna Paul is professor in allied health sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Dr Sivaramkumar Shanmugam is a senior lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University.

 

Author: Black C, Paul L, Shanmugam S

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Occupational Health at Work August/September 2022 (vol. 19/2) pp15-16

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