Bridge HR articles

Employees no longer need their fit notes to be certified by a GP, with nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacies and physiotherapists now also being allowed to certify them in a bid to reduce the current pressures the NHS is under.

This is a positive step in many ways: on a fit note, GPs are, technically, able to suggest appropriate support and adjustments to enable that patient to remain in, or return to, work. However, the reality is that they rarely do meaning that employees are often signed off when they might, otherwise, be able to work in some form or other.

We hope that now fit notes can be certified by more specialist healthcare professionals, such as physios, this will lead to more tailored and practical suggestions being made on the fit note from the start, to help keep that person in work, leading to less unnecessary employee absence. Specialist healthcare professionals may be more likely to commit to making these practical suggestions early on when issuing the fit note, than the GP and so we hope this will make a difference to both employee and employer. After all, research shows that staying in work (where at all possible) is a huge factor in employee mental health and engagement and it is almost always better for the employer too.

Getting that specialist involvement earlier on may also help with any later occupational health or specialist assessments that need to be carried out with unwell employees and may even reduce the need for full assessments in some cases.

Other recent changes include the removal of the need for fit notes to be signed in ink, instead of being able to be signed (and provided) digitally.

However, we know that many employers are worried that wider access to fit notes may lead to more employee absence – reducing the strain on the NHS but increasing it on employer organisations. Or you may be worried about how to interpret any advice or suggestions given on the fit note, by this now wider pool of professionals giving it.

To what extent should you follow any suggestions made on the fit note?

What if your employee still says she is unable to come to work, even though the fit note makes suggestions which might mean she can?

How would you handle all those types of things?

Remember – your duties and obligations towards sick employees remain high and so if you have any questions about these recent changes or any other aspect of employment law, contact the team at enquiries@bridgeehr.co.uk or 01904 360295.