New legislation to allow more health professionals to certify fit notes

In order to ease the pressure on doctors and GPs, the government has brought in legislation to allow a wider range of healthcare professionals to certify fit notes.

The change is effective from 1 July 2022 and will allow nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists to certify and issue fit notes.

As well as easing pressure on doctors, the government feels that the change will support better discussions about work and health between employers and employees by making it easier to have the advice certified by the most relevant healthcare professional. It is important to note, though, that a fit note can still only be issued following an assessment and cannot be issued on request.

This change is the most significant since fit notes were first introduced in 2010 and follows recent changes made in April, which allow for fit notes to be issued digitally.

Further information can be found here.

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