NHS Employers: 'Fit note' proposals welcome

Measures to end Britain's 'sicknote' culture have received the backing of NHS Employers director Steve Barnett.

The acting chief executive of the NHS Confederation said switching the emphasis from a paper-based sicknote to an electronic fit note will switch the focus towards people's capabilities and improve employer-GP communications.

"Work should be seen as an aid to recovery rather than something to be
avoided," he said.

"It can be difficult for employers to rehabilitate their staff if they have no real indication on the sicknote of what is wrong with the employee and a fit note should include information on what tasks the employee is incapable of carrying out so that the employer can find tasks that could be performed."