Fit notes help patients back to work, GPs say
Around three-fifths of GPs say the fit note has improved the quality of their discussions with patient about return to work, a Department for Work and Pension survey shows.
FIT NOTE RESOURCE CENTRE
The new Med 3 form or so-called 'fit note' came into force on April 6 2010, replacing the old 'sick note' and Med 5.
The crucial reform is that GPs now have the option to declare that a patient 'may be' fit for some work, and suggest changes to their working practices and environment that could help them return to employment earlier.
Click here to view a sample fit note
This online resource aims to put the changes in context, and provide clear advice and information to help make the transition from sick note to fit note as painless as possible.
FIT NOTE VIDEO NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Doctors should assess patients' ability to work generally when issuing fit note
21 November 2011Doctors should consider a patient's ability to work generally when issuing a fit note not just focus on their capacity to carry out a specific job, a government-commissioned review has recommended.
Fit notes help patients back to work, GPs say
01 August 2011Around three-fifths of GPs say the fit note has improved the quality of their discussions with patient about return to work, a Department for Work and Pension survey shows.
LMCs Conference 2011 - full coverage as it happened
08 June 2011LMC leaders from across the UK debated key issues affecting the profession during the 2011 LMCs conference. Here is our full coverage as it happened.
Charity calls for 'full use' of fit notes
01 June 2011Charities have called for GPs to make fuller use of fit notes to help patients with long-term conditions back to work.
Revolving door fit notes warning
08 September 2010GPs should only make general comments about workplace adjustments on fit note forms, according to the Medical Protection Society (MPS).
Fit note hotline to help out GPs
06 August 2010GPs struggling to fill in fit notes can call an NHS helpline for advice from an occupational therapist.
Ministers set up hotline to help GPs with fit notes
26 July 2010GPs struggling to fill in fit notes can call a government helpline for advice from an occupational therapist.
GP training on fit notes required
25 June 2010Sixty-three per cent of UK companies think GPs should have occupational health training to help them fill out fit notes, the 2010 CBI sickness absence survey has revealed.
FIT NOTE FEATURES
Consultation skills - Assessing fitness to work Encouraging an early return to work can improve a patient's physical well-being.
RCGP policy debate: From sick notes to fit notes RCGP chairman Professor Steve Field has organised a series of breakfast meetings, bringing together GPs and policy makers to discuss hot topics for all UK practices. GP was at the table to exclusively report the first debate.
Helping patients back to work Only one of the 10 Fit for Work Service pilots is GP-led. Dr Rob Hampton explains what it involves.
Locums - Starting your career as a locum What you need to do to prepare for taking on your first locum work bookings.
How to... Help patients to return to work GPs can assess job fitness more accurately by asking patients basic questions, says Dr Ian Williams.
Fit note will replace the sick note Dr Rob Hampton says that the new medical certificate will aid GPs and help patients return to work.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
- Healthy Working UK www.healthyworkinguk.co.uk
- DWP - Fit notes www.dwp.gov.uk/fitnote
Additional Information
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