The introduction of 'fit notes' to replace 'sick notes' from April 6th is a hot topic in the health industry at the moment, one which has implications for HR and occupational health professionals alike.

The new 'fit note' is being introduced within the Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Amendment Regulations 2010 and aims to simplify current processes ('Med 3' and 'Med 5' forms are being combined) for GPs, seek the best possible outcome for patients and help employers manage absence from work more easily.

The new scheme is intended to enable GPs to encourage discussion between the employee and employer to facilitate a (hopefully) earlier return to work for employees away from work due to ill health.

Once the new notes are introduced, individual GPs will be able to indicate whether a patient is fit for work (or not) for the benefit of sick pay purposes (employers' Statutory Sick Pay obligations are unchanged).  GPs can also include "may be fit for some work" option, which ultimately shifts responsibility to the employer.

GPs should be able to provide general details of the physical implications of an employee's condition, in relation to their ability to work, potentially also making suggestions about optional changes which could be made to enable an easier return to work (eg a phased return, altered hours, amended duties or workplace adaptations).

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