Nurses and AHPs given power to issue fit notes
By Gemma Raw
New legislation will enable a wider range of people working in frontline healthcare jobs to certify fit notes, something that currently only doctors can do.
From 1 July, nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and pharmacists will all be able to legally certify fit notes. It's the most significant change to the fit notes system since it was introduced in 2010 and follows changes made in April to allow fit notes to be certified and issued digitally.
Applying in both general practice and hospital settings, this latest initiative is aimed at reducing pressure on doctors, particularly GPs. It should also help to streamline further the process of issuing and receiving a fit note, cutting red tape for employers and the NHS.
"These latest fit note changes recognise the valuable role other professionals play in helping manage people's health," said Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work. "And I hope this will also reduce unnecessary bureaucracy for doctors and general practice more widely."
"This is just another way in which we're supporting GPs in primary care," added Maria Caulfield, Minister for Patient Safety and Primary Care. "And we remain on track to deliver 26,000 more primary care staff by 2024 to help improve patient access to appointments."
What is a fit note?
Sometimes known paradoxically as a 'sick note', a fit note is a document that lets your employer know if your health affects your ability to do your job. If you've been off work through illness for seven days or more, the health professional issuing the fit note will assess your fitness for work, stating whether you should not do work of any kind or whether you may be fit for work taking into account any advice or conditions relating to your health.
Positive reception
The extension of fit note certification powers to more healthcare roles has been widely welcomed by organisations representing nurses, doctors and allied health professionals, including the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Wendy Preston, RCN Head of Nursing Practice, commented, "This is a positive step and is something the RCN was instrumental in bringing about. Nursing staff are often the first people patients see, particularly in primary care, and especially those living with a long-term condition who may need time off to manage their condition at times. This will allow them to better serve the needs of their patients and reduce the need for further unnecessary appointments with other healthcare professionals."
CSP Chief Executive Karen Middleton also reacted positively to the news that the organisation's members would be receiving the new powers: "We welcome this change in legislation as physiotherapists are ideally placed to have conversations about health and work with patients."
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