The Doctors\u2019 Association UK (DAUK) has welcomed new pilot schemes which aim to help reform the fit note system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAUK has been working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health on the future of fit notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Steve Taylor, DAUK GP co-lead, attended the launch event in Birmingham, where details of the four pilot schemes were announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cWe agree the current system of fit notes isn\u2019t working well for patients, GPs and employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt often lacks the nuance to deal with specific work situations and reasons that people have for not being able to work their full or part of their role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe hope these pilots will give the opportunity to explore a different way for people to engage with periods of ill health and ways to make work more accessible and achievable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis recognises that GPs aren\u2019t always best equipped to understand the options for work and we hope that active engagement between patients, GPs, employers and this new service will provide a better experience for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The small-scale pilots will be held in Coventry and Warwickshire, Birmingham and Solihull, Lancashire and South Cumbria, and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department for Health said the pilots are \u2018exploratory and flexible, designed to test and refine different delivery models through a test and learn approach\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DAUK\u2019s own GP survey highlighted strong professional support for reform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among respondents, 69% said fit notes should no longer remain within GP remit, while 85% supported transferring responsibility to a dedicated new service. Nearly half backed a return to four-week self-certification, and 94% reported that refusing a fit note negatively affected the doctor\u2013patient relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Taylor said: \u201cIt is important that no one is forced to work who cannot, but it is also important that those who can, should be encouraged and given options to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis could be a great improvement and we look forward to seeing the outcomes from these four pilots.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are a non-profit campaigning and lobbying organisation led by frontline doctors, for frontline doctors. We are volunteers and our collective aim is to give frontline workers a voice to be heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n