Derbyshire County Unison News : 04 February 2010
Revised fit note is set for debut in April
Update - get the new Derbyshire County UNISON advice note here
Fit notes, which are set to replace doctors’ sick notes for employees from April, will include a tick list of options on how employers can help a patient return to work, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed. The “fit for work” option has been dropped.
The latest version of the fit note has been drawn up after a widespread consultation.
The revised fit note will include two options for doctors to choose from: “not fit for work” and “may be fit for some work, taking account of the following advice”. The DWP said it had taken advice from the Association of British Insurers on this issue, because of the implications for employers’ liability insurance.
This is an acknowledgement that it is not the doctor, but the employer, in consultation with their employee, who is best-placed to make the decision as to whether they can accommodate any changes to facilitate a return to work.
“The doctor is giving advice on what an individual can or cannot do based on the patient’s health condition. It encourages employers to initiate discussions with their employee, to consider what could help to achieve an early return to work, and whether or not any changes can be made. In the event of an employer not being able to facilitate a change or an adjustment, the advice given on the statement will be evidence that an individual has a health condition which prevents them carrying out their current role.”
There are then four options that, “if available, and with your employer’s agreement” the person may benefit from: a phased return to work; amended duties; altered hours; and workplace adaptations. More space is provided for a GP’s comments.
The DWP’s response to the consultation recognised that the options listed were “not exhaustive” and may not be suitable for certain health conditions or job roles. But, it said, a more detailed list would overcomplicate the process of completing the fit note.
The list is intended to encourage discussions between the doctor and patients, as well as between employee and employer, about the best course for getting back to work, the DWP said.
Doctors will not be able to recommend an option for “occupational health assessment”, the DWP says, because of fears that this would become a “default” option and simply defer decisions being made. In some circumstances such a further assessment could be suggested as beneficial in the space provided for GP’s comments.
[News item from Labour Research Department]
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