Fit Notes (or ‘Statement for Fitness for Work’ or ‘Medical Statement’ or ‘Doctor’s Note’) were introduced in April 2010. Prior to this, the certificate you were given if you were too ill to work was a ‘Sick Note’. The Fit Note provides more options than the old Sick Note. An employee can be declared as fit to do some work even if they are not fit enough to do their usual job. The GP signing the Fit Note can either say the Employee is ‘not fit for work’ or ‘maybe fit for work taking account of the following advice ‘There is a menu of 4 options: a phased return to work/altered hours/amended duties/workplace adaptations. The change to Fit Notes came about because of the premise that doing the right kind of work is good for our health, even if we have a health condition. Work can aid recovery from ill health. A G.P. will discuss with their patient how their health affects what they can do at work and of course this varies enormously.
Author
Nicky Ackerley BA(Hons)
Nicky is the owner of HR Support Consultancy. She has a BA(Hons) in Business Studies, is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and has been a practising HR manager for more than 20 years. HR Support Consultancy has provided the BVNA Members Advisory Service (formerly known as the Industrial Relations Service) since it began in 2002 Email: nickyackerley@hrsupportconsultancy.co.uk
To cite this article: VOL 36 (05) • May 2021 • Veterinary Nursing Journal pp127
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