The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and the Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 have been laid before parliament and are due to come into effect on 6 April 2010. From this point GPs in England, Scotland and Wales will be required to issue the new Statement of Fitness for Work, 'fit-notes', rather than the current sick note form to those suffering from ill-health.

The existing medical statement, or 'Sick Note', has been around in its’ present format since the 1920s and its’ replacement adds additional options for what an individual may do – for example a GP can recommend a phased return to work, changes to the workplace/job-role or altered hours.

The new fit-note system was originally proposed by Dame Carol Black’s Review of the Health of the Working-Age Population, “Working for a healthier tomorrow”, which urged a radical reform of the UK health system, including more than 30 recommendations to improve work-related health services to keep people who are in work health and those who do fall ill to get the help needed to make a prompt return.

Please see the Statement of Fitness for Work discussion in the SOHSA Forum for more information or to comment on this story.