I always find it interesting when we see the private advice that this Government are giving to other organisations.
In this case, what we are seeing is the Govt’s advice to GPs in respect of ‘fit notes’.
The advice given to GPs is as follows:
Repeatedly reiterated that the fitness for work assessments that GPs carry out are NOT job specific.For example, if a delivery driver broke his leg, he would be found FIT TO WORK as another form of employment may not be impinged by his broken leg.
(QUOTE: Always consider if your patient could do work of some kind before advising that they are not fit for work.)
Tells the GP to ‘carefully consider’ their decision to find the patient unfit in case it “increases the long-term health risks of worklessness”
(QUOTE) Remember to consider carefully whether advising your patient that they are not fit for work increases the long-term health risks of worklessness.
States that there is evidence that shows being unfit for work hampers recovery and rehabilitation.
(QUOTE -Most importantly, the evidence is clear that patients benefit from being in some kind of regular work. This improves mental and physical health and can aid recovery.)
Tells GPs that patients do not have to be 100% fit for work to be found ‘fit’
(QUOTE- Work is generally good for physical and mental health and people do not have to be 100% fit in order to work in most cases.)
Informs GPs that finding patients unfit for work as being an health risk.
(QUOTE - Assessing that your patient is not fit for work... increases the long-term health risks of worklessness.)
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