Government to reform ‘broken fit note system’

The government is to start the process of overhauling the fit note system to work better for patients, employers and healthcare professionals alike.

Data shows that the current fit note system sees some 11 million fit notes issued every year, with more than nine in ten declaring the person ‘not fit for work’.

Fit Note System Pilot Scheme

There will be four pilots in different areas that will cover up to 100,000 appointments and last for 12 months, with continuous testing.

This will help to narrow down the most effective approach to tackling the steep increase in the number of fit notes issued.

It will work in the following way:

Patients will be offered either an initial fit note from a GP and then referred to community health workers, or go through the whole process without an initial fit note from a GP, and will instead be supported by a separate service staffed by clinical and non-clinical practitioners.

They will provide a range of work and health support, including three-way conversations between patients, employers, and trained professionals – covering reasonable adjustments and keeping people connected to their workplace from the first day of absence, helping more people to stay in work with support.

This is the first step in the government’s fit note reform, with the pilot findings shaped by patients, healthcare staff, and employers before legislation is brought in to further reform the system.

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