- 15 Jun 2022
- •
- < 1 min read
New legislation will allow a wider range of healthcare professionals to issue ‘fit notes’
The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 will come into force on 1 July 2022.
This legislation will allow a wider range of healthcare professionals like occupational therapists, physiotherapists and pharmacists to certify and issue ‘fit notes’. At present, this is only something doctors can do.
Why is this important?
The legislation is intended to ease pressure on doctors, whilst also simplifying the process of issuing and receiving a fit note. Fit notes provide evidence to employers regarding absence and may also provide relevant advice on how to support employees to remain in or return to work.
It is the intention that this change will support better conversations about work and health between employers and staff by making it easier to get this advice certified by the most relevant healthcare professional. By including the most relevant healthcare professional from the start of absence, it is hoped that this will result in more employees receiving the right treatment and being able to return to work in a more timely manner.
What should you do?
You should familiarise yourself with the relevant healthcare professionals who can sign off fit notes from 1 July onwards.
To find out more information click here.
