Employers wary of new ‘fit notes’

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Employers and health experts have given a mixed welcome to the final version of the "fit note" which is set to replace doctors’ sick notes for employees in April.

Doctors will be given a straight choice between pronouncing a patient "not fit for work" and "fit for some work". If the latter, there will be a tick list of four courses of action which the doctor can recommend for a patient’s return to work: phased return to work, amended duties, altered hours and workplace adaptations. There will be a free-form "comments" box for when a doctor thinks another option is more appropriate.

However, there will not be an option for GPs to recommend an occupational health assessment because of fears that this would become a default choice and simply defer decisions being made, the government said. Meanwhile, the maximum length of sign-off for sickness has been reduced from six to three months.

Dr Steven Boorman, director of corporate responsibility and chief medical adviser at Royal Mail Group, said the "fit note" represented an important step forward but he said it was disappointing that detailed guidance for the medical profession and employers was being developed “so late in its gestation”.

“The fit note’s effectiveness relies on employers having effective processes for helping line managers identify suitable alternative work arrangements,” Boorman told PM.

“The generic nature of the options available, combined with GP's time and understanding of workplace options, will inevitably result in managers needing support to recognise the options available to them. I expect significant proportions of the new notes to be in the ‘may be fit’ category and employers need to work pro-actively to act on this - to the benefit of both business and employee.”

Daniel Mortimer, HR director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The key is what we as organisations do with people on long term sickness absence, and whether we are prepared to let them back on different duties or in different roles to ease them back into work. A fit note might help with some of that discussion, but it’s down to the employers to be prepared to do that.”

He said he believed occupational health (OH) still plays vital role. “A lot of GPs won’t have had training in OH medicine. It’s a separate and clear specialty. We’re a large public-sector employer and we are in a very fortunate position that we have OH to advise us. But I think GPs have to be able to make that comment (to advise further OH assessment) because there is a limit to the advice they can give if they don’t understand the workplace and the particular role.”

Ben Moss, director at work and well-being experts Robertson Cooper, said: “The ‘options’ on the new form are a good idea because they will cause GPs to think actively about the advice they dispense regarding return to work. The ‘fit note’ represents a major paradigm shift in terms how we think about illness and work – any process that encourages the ‘operators’ of the system to consider and discuss a range of options for the patient and employer is a positive thing.”

Linda Davies, corporate health, well-being and attendance manager HR at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, added: “We have carried out a lot of work to establish links with GPs in preparation for the change. It's difficult to say whether the new style note will help people back to work sooner; it will be dependent on whether or not GPs are prepared to have that conversation with the individual and whether or not the employer is able to make the required adjustment.

"We already have a lot of input into the kind of work people do when they return. We work closely with staff to support and discuss with them what adjustments they need to facilitate an early return.”

[brunswick]

and if a return to work under this scheme/scam causes a deterioration in illness/injury who do we sue the doctor or the company?

[postietaz]

diorohea omg romec get an early ill do toilet duties

[brothermagrew]

Have a shifty at Annex B

Reforming the Medical Statement.pdf

[smokerjim]

I think, if you have a GP that cares about your well being, and tries to understand the physical and mental stresses we work under, then you should be no worse off than you are now ( my present GP, TF )- but if you have one that doesn't give a monkey's and frankly views patients as a PITA that upsets the smooth accounting and running of his practice....then you could find yourself pretty fuct ( my GP's predecessor - TF we moved! )