Patients who have been off sick for more than seven days are entitled to be provided with the Statement of Fitness to Work, known as a fit note.
From 1 July 2022 a wider range of healthcare professionals can certify fit notes across England, Scotland and Wales.
The existing legislation, introduced in 2010, has been updated to ease the burden on GP appointments and workload. Healthcare professionals who can certify a patient fit to work will include nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists.
Patients will be able to make an appointment with the most appropriate healthcare professional for their clinical needs and to get this advice certified at the same time. Appointments can be made with healthcare professionals in a wide range of settings, not just general practice.
These changes follow the introduction of digital certifying of sick notes in April 2022. The aim is to simplify the process of issuing and receiving fit notes.
For more information, see our guide to fit notes.
This page was correct at publication on 16/06/2022. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.