Fit note to help sick back to work

Thousands of Rochdale residents signed off work will soon have to prove what they can do — rather than what they can’t.

The Government last night unveiled the so-called “fit note” which will replace traditional sick notes used by GPs signing off patients.

The new medical note is aimed at getting more people back into work and stopping people drifting into long-term sick.

It will mean some of the 13,000 Incapacity Benefit claimants in Rochdale will be told what they can do in terms of a job. For example, if the employee has a problem with mobility, a job where they can work sitting down would be suggested.

Lord Bill McKenzie, Work and Pensions Minister, said: “Employers tell us that managing sickness absence can be a challenge. This is compounded by a sick note system which makes sickness absence a black and white issue — either you are unfit for work or you are not.

“We recognise how important it is to help people who are sick to stay in work or get back to work quickly — the new fit note will help do just that.”

A 12-week consultation is now under way on the design of the new form which will roll-out across Britain next spring.

Ministers hope the new system will be computer generated, replacing the current hand-written version.

Health Minister Ben Bradshaw added: “We know that sickness absence is economically and socially damaging. Getting people back into work quicker is good for their health as well as the country’s finances. The fit note will give GPs a new opportunity to benefit their patients. I look forward to it being used in surgeries everywhere.”

It is estimated 175 million working days are lost to sickness each year at a cost of £13 billion.