GPs and doctors have been issued new sicknote rules under the Labour Party government. Doctors are being encouraged to refer patients to the gym or job coaches with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rather than signing them off as “not fit for work”.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has made it clear that “we simply can’t afford to keep writing people off” as he launched a new government pilot designed to ensure the NHS plays a part in helping individuals stay in or find employment.
The innovative scheme, currently being piloted in 15 areas, will see GP practices receive additional funds to offer specialised support to patients alongside traditional sick notes, instead of merely signing them off work.
Streeting said: “This pilot marks the end of a broken system that’s been failing patients and holding back our economy for far too long. Right now, we’re issuing 11 million fit notes a year, with 93 per cent simply dismissing people as ‘not fit for work’ – that’s not healthcare, that’s a bureaucratic dead end.
“We’re changing this conversation. Instead of GPs spending precious time rubber-stamping people out of the workforce, we’re supporting providers to bring in specialists – occupational therapists, work coaches, social prescribers – who can actually help people navigate back into employment while managing their health conditions.”
He added: “This is all part of our Plan for Change to move from a system that manages sickness to one that promotes health, work and prosperity.”
Claire Murdoch, the NHS national mental health director, recently told The Times: “As the NHS, we want to help people find work or keep work. The NHS can, should and does think of itself as a contributor to economic growth.”
Under the proposed changes, individuals may be advised to consult a DWP employment adviser to draft their CV or seek a job with flexible hours. Those with bone injuries might be recommended physiotherapy sessions or given passes to local leisure centres and gyms.
