Fit note fails to deliver

The government’s flagship “fit note” scheme for getting people back to work has failed to deliver five years on from implementation, seriously hampering the UK’s attempts to improve its sickness absence performance and reduce unnecessary sickness absence.

The findings come from a survey of 345 companies by EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation and Jelf Employee Benefits. The survey finds that far from aiding economic growth and improving productivity by getting people back to work earlier, the situation has failed to improve.

According to EEF, only around one in eight GPs — 5,000 out of 40, 584 — have been trained in health and work, while only a small sum has been spent on GP training compared to the £170 million the government has invested in the Fit for Work service over last five years.

www.eef.org.uk/about-eef/media-news-and-insights/media-releases/2015/jul/government-fit-note-fails-to-deliver-5-years-on