03/08/2009
Curing the Sick Note
It is estimated that 172 million working days are lost each year through workers being on sick leave, costing businesses approximately £13 billion. As a result, the Government are planning to replace the current sick note with a new “fit note”.
This represents a change of emphasis from what a worker can’t do to what a worker can do. The proposed fit note provides a new option for GPs to state that a worker “maybe fit for some work now” with assistance such as a phased return to work, altered hours, amended duties or workplace adaptations.
The Government’s research suggests that under their proposals over 90% of people with common health problems can be helped back to work, leading to a 20% reduction in Incapacity Benefit claims.
Trade Unions agree that more should be done to allow workers to return to work but are concerned that this could prevent a worker making a full recovery, or possibly even lead to a relapse.
There is concern that the new system may impose too much responsibility on GPs by requiring them to assess a patient’s capabilities, with this in turn placing additional strain on NHS time and resources. The British Medical Association have said that it is crucial that GPs don’t end up policing the system for the Government.
The proposals are currently at the consultation stage. The Government hope to introduce the “fit note” within new regulations set to be implemented in April 2010.
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