We are not fit to sign new note, say doctors

Two-thirds of GPs feel ill-equipped to provide the new fit note, according to a survey by insurance company Aviva.

The fit note was introduced in April this year to replace the sick note. Its introduction was intended to reduce absence by making it easier for an employee to return to work, by allowing the GP, in consultation with the patient, to suggest changes, for example to duties or hours, to help a patient return to work sooner.

Around two-thirds (68%) of doctors questioned were sceptical about the new fit note system, and didn’t believe that it would cut absence levels.

And from the employee perspective, 57% of the 1,000 surveyed did not think their doctor was in a position to say whether or not they could return to work.

Over half of GPs questioned admitted that lack of time already impairs their ability to do their job properly, with 43% believing that time restraints limit the scope for a proper detailed diagnosis. Current practice is for an appointment to last just 10 minutes. Nevertheless, the coalition government is considering fundamental structural changes to the NHS to transfer decision-making responsibility from hospitals to stretched GPs.

According to the GPs’ trade union, the BMA, the biggest challenge for the fit note process is the widespread lack of availability of occupational health services, with only 13% of employees having access to an occupational health provider.