The call for evidence
On 19 April 2024 the Government announced a call for evidence to explore possible reforms to the fit note process, sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Health and Social Care. The call is intended to be an initial information-gathering exercise in advance of a full consultation taking place later this year.
In the Ministerial foreword, the Government explains that in England, 93.8% of all fit notes (circa 10 million) were issued as ‘not fit for work’, with those patients simply being signed off without an objective assessment of their circumstances. It considers that this is a ‘missed opportunity’ to help get patients facing longer term conditions appropriate support that they could instead use to remain in work or return to work more quickly than the current system allows.
The content of the call for evidence hints at some of the changes the Government has been mulling over. These include:
- Shifting responsibility for issuing fit notes away from primary care practitioners;
- The creation of a triage service to allocate people seeking a fit note into a ‘pathway’ that best suits their individual health and employment needs;
- Assessments of a person’s ability to do their job, and work and health conversations with either a healthcare professional or a work and healthcare adviser; and
- A new route to refer people to more intensive work and health support through an organisation’s occupational health service, where applicable and appropriate.
The Government’s aim is to design a new fit note system that aligns the interests of employers and healthcare teams to support employees with longer term health issues and prevent them from falling out of work or spending long periods of time absent on sick leave.
What evidence is being sought, and from whom?
The Government has indicated that it is especially interested in hearing views and evidence relating to the following themes:
- The experience of individuals who access fit notes and carers;
- The experience of clinical and non-clinical professionals;
- The experience of employers;
- Private work sickness certificates; and
- Information gathering and wider system integration.
In addition to the above, it would also like to hear the views of representatives of local systems or local system partners (e.g. Local Authority Integrated Care Boards or Voluntary Community Social Enterprises) and interested academics and stakeholder organisations.
Comment
This call for evidence follows the Government’s announcement of its Back to Work plan for welfare reforms in 16 November 2023, which aims to resolve productivity issues caused by significant numbers of British workers taking long-term sick leave.
At this stage, the specifics of the Government’s proposed reforms remain unclear, and its consultation will likely shed further light. However, with the forthcoming election, HR professionals should note that a change of government is also a possibility, which could in turn lead to a shift in policy priorities.
Are you an HR professional who is interested in learning about practical tips for managing sickness absence in the workplace? Winckworth Sherwood’s employment team would be delighted for you to join us in person in London at our HR Hour Workshop on managing sickness absence on 18 June 2024. The workshop is free to attend. Places are limited.