Author: Chris Cook

In an article on the BBC this week, it has been found by a team of Manchester University researchers, as part of an Occupational Medicine survey, that only one in 20 doctors is following Government guidance on how long patients should be signed off work.

The research focused on 113 GPs operating in one health trust in England and reviewed practices when dealing with hernia repairs, hysterectomies and heart attacks.  In spite of national guidance, it was found that there is a huge variation as to the length of time that employees are signed off for similar conditions.  Most doctors surveyed had not received training in respect of sickness certification and a third of the doctors were unaware of the Government guidance on recommended sick leave periods, which are set out on the Department of Work and Pensions website. 

The study leader, Dr Richard Roope, commented that “We need to get across to GPs and patients alike that ‘being signed off’ may actually be bad for the health of the patient, their employer and the country as a whole”.

In light of the recent swine flu epidemic, it is particularly important for employers to be able to rely upon the guidance provided by their employees’ doctors so as to ensure an adequate workforce over the festive period.  This recent survey suggests a clear lack of training on how long employees need to recuperate before returning to work, leading to a large number of inconsistencies in the recommendations given by doctors.  Employers are advised to consider using the services of occupational health or alternatively external consultants if they have any doubts as to the views of employees’ doctors on the issue of when any such employee will be able to return to work.

New “fit note” scheme

As some of you will be aware, the Government is proposing to replace sick notes with “fit notes”, which will involve doctors needing to set out what an employee is able to do.  It remains to be seen whether the introduction of the proposed new “fit note” scheme will focus doctors’ minds on giving employers more accurate guidance on return to work dates, and perhaps more importantly give recommendations on what can be done to facilitate an earlier rehabilitation to work.