New legislation expands on who can sign a fit note for SSP purposes
14 June 2022
Legislation has been introduced which expands the authority to sign fit notes from just doctors to include other healthcare professionals.
The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 highlight that registered nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists can issue fit notes after they assess a patient's fitness for work. Fit notes are the most common form of medical evidence that workers give to their employers so that they can be eligible for sick pay.
The change reflects the role of multi-disciplinary teams in healthcare and highlights how sometimes it is alternative healthcare professionals that lead a patient's diagnosis. It will reduce the burden on doctors as they will get less referrals and it will remove unneccessary delays for patients who need a fit note.
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