The Government yesterday unveiled proposals for a new medical
'fit note' to replace the existing current sick note. The
changes are intended to take effect from Spring 2010 and come in
response to Dame Carol Black's 2008 report into the health of
Britain's working population.
The 'fit note', which it is planned will be computer
generated in GPs' surgeries, gives the GP the option to
indicate when someone 'may be fit for some work now'. Where
the GP does so s/he will be required to record general details of
the functionality of the individual's condition. This
information it is hoped will facilitate the discussions between
employer and employee about what steps can be taken to achieve the
employee's return to work. Although the current sick note
includes a 'remarks' section, its primary focus has been on
the individual's health condition and how long s/he should be
absent from work.
