22 May 2026
The Government has launched four pilot programmes aimed at reforming the current broken sick note system for workers who fall ill.
These pilots are designed to benefit patients, employers and General Practitioners (GPs) by providing a more personalised approach to manage sickness absences. Pilots will be replaced by the current version with tailored ‘stay in work’ and ‘return to work’ plans. This includes conversations between patients, employers, and trained professionals that focus on finding reasonable adjustments and better ways of keeping people connected to their workplace from the first day of absence, with the aim to improve better outcomes for employers and employees.
Continuous testing will be completed on the four pilots, covering up to 100,000 appointments over the next year, to attain the most effective approach. Patients will be offered either an initial fit note from a GP before being referred to a community health worker or bypass the GP entirely and access support through a separate service staffed by clinical and non-clinical practitioners.
Many have criticised the current system stating it’s not working as intended. Research indicates that 30% of healthcare professionals deem fit notes a waste of GP’s time, whilst 60% say the current process is not supportive of employees work and health needs. The current system sees some 11 million fit notes issued every year, with more than 90% declaring the person ‘not fit for work’.
This is the first phase in the Government’s ambition to deliver significant reform of the fit note system. Findings from the pilots will help shape future legislation aimed at creating a more effective and supportive system.