Sick leave requires “fit note”

Jun 4 2009 Chester Chronicle

SICK notes are being scrapped and replaced with a new medical ‘fit note’ to help more people stay in work.

The move, which has been developed with the support of healthcare professionals, employer representatives and trade unions, will be rolled-out in the spring of 2010.

The ‘fit note’ will enable people to get the best possible advice about staying in work, and if they are unable to, what their employer can do to help them return sooner.

There are currentlyŠ12,740 people in Chester West and Chester on Incapacity Benefit.

Although this has reduced by 1,870 over the last five years,Šthe Government says more needs to be done.

Under a new system, the Government aims to replace hand written sick notes with computer-generated ‘fit notes’ available in GP surgeries.

The introduction of the ‘fit note’ forms part of the Government’s response to Dame Carol Black’s groundbreaking 2008 report into the health of Britain’s working age population.