05/04/2010
The New FIT 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 intend launching a new “fit note” to replace the current sick note in April 2010. Their 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.
The “fit note” was originally intended to provide a new option for GPs to state that a worker “maybe fit for some work”, with assistance such as a phased return to work, altered hours, amended duties or workplace adaptations. There was concern that this 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 do not end up policing the system for the Government. However following consultation the “fit for work” option has been dropped and replaced with “you may be fit for work taking account of the following advice”. It was felt that the employer, in consultation with the employee, is usually best placed to make the decision as to whether they can accommodate any changes to facilitate a return to work.
Trade Unions generally agree that more should be done to allow workers to return to work but are concerned to ensure that the new rules do not prevent workers making a full recovery, or even lead to them having a relapse. They believe that GPs should be better trained in how to recognise occupational diseases and in understanding what a patient's work entails. Also employers need to know how to use the information on the note and receive improved occupational health advice.
The new proposals are set to be embodied in the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and the Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and are intended to come into force on 6 April 2010.
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