Scheme to trial scrapping fit notes to get people back to work

GPs in two areas of England will continue issuing fit notes while also referring patients to support services to help them stay in their jobs. In two other areas, GPs will stop issuing fit notes entirely and will refer patients directly to support services. The government says the current fit note system is broken because many people are signed off work without receiving help to return. The pilots aim to address rising numbers of people out of work due to poor health, reduce pressure on the NHS, and limit increased benefit payments. More than 11 million fit notes are issued each year, and numbers have risen since the Covid pandemic. The pilots last up to a year and cover up to 100,000 appointments with £3 million funding.

"GPs in two areas of England will refer patients for support alongside fit notes, while two others will stop issuing fit notes entirely. The government said the current system was “broken”, with too many people signed off work with no help for them to return. The move is part of efforts to tackle the growing number of people who are out of work due to poor health. There is concern about the impact this has on the economy, as well as contributing to increased benefit payments and pressure on the NHS."

"More than 11 million fit notes are issued every year, with the numbers increasing since the Covid pandemic. Fit notes are approved when someone is unwell or cannot work for more than seven days. They advise on how the patients' health problems impact on their ability to work - and can help to access certain benefits and sick pay. A patient can be declared “not fit for work” or “maybe fit for work” with some adjustments, but the government says more than nine-in-10 sign people off work entirely."

"In Birmingham and Solihull, as well as Coventry and Warwickshire, GPs will initially issue a fit note where needed but patients will also be referred to support services. In Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, along with Lancashire and South Cumbria, GPs will refer patients directly to support services, without issuing a fit note. The pilots will test different approaches to find the best way of tackling the increase in fit notes."

"Earlier this year, hundreds of GPs told the BBC they had never refused to sign a patient off work for mental health issues. Many also raised concerns that issuing fit notes should not be part of a GP's job. The four pilot schemes, lasting up to a year, cover up to 100,000 appointments and are backed by 3m of funding. They aim to test different approaches to find the best way of tackling the increase in fit notes."

Read at www.bbc.com