Fit note receives positive response from GPs

Doctors are finally more positive about the 'fit note', reports barkerross.co.uk.

Reportedly reluctant about the concept at first, as some GPs felt it conflicted with their role stands for, new research has now found that many are in favour.

Research has found that 99 per cent of doctors agree that the routine and distraction of work has positive benefits to health and 88 per cent understood that an important part of their role was to assist patients' return to work. Only 19 per cent felt that employees should be at work if they were 100 per cent better.

Dr Bill Gunnyeon, chief medical officer at the Department for Work and Pensions, told People Management that the availability of the fit note "[Marked] further progress absence management processes" and could potentially save UK employers millions of pounds.

The change will mean that there should be a reduction in the number of sick days - which currently stands at 140 million every year - as instead of signing people off sick and only allowing them back to work when fully recovered, the new system will allow unwell or injured employees to return to work under prescribed provisons.

After examining a patient, doctors will be able to tick a box on the note which states whether the individual is a) not fit for work, b) can return to work on restricted hours, c) can return but only undertake restricted duties or d) can return to work but only when environmental changes have taken place.