Great Britain: GPs no longer only medical professional who can certify employee ‘sick notes’

In addition to regular general practitioners, as of 01 July nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists will be able to certify fit notes, i.e. the certificate required to provide evidence to employers about an employee’s absence spanning more than seven consecutive working days. In this way the government, which prompted the change, is hoping to smooth the bureaucratic burden on employees as well as to encourage their return to the office in so far as the new digital certificates provided by from the certifying medical professional include precise information on how to support and maintain the employee at work and/or to enable the employee’s prompt return to work. Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People, said: “Having a health condition doesn’t have to take you out of a job. This change will make it easier for people and employers to get the advice they need so people can stay in work, whilst also reducing bureaucracy and freeing up doctors’ time.HR experts believe that the new system could lead to a fall in absenteeism rates. Abigail Maino, a partner in the employment team at law firm DMH Stallard said, “If employees are able to receive an assessment from a more specialist healthcare professional such as a physiotherapist, then it would be hoped that more tailored advice can be given in via the fit note, reducing the time an employee is absent.”