More Healthcare Professionals To Certify Sick Notes
From 1 July 2022, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists will be able to legally certify fit notes.
These changes follow the introduction in April of digital certification and issue of fit notes, removing the need for doctors to sign fit notes in ink. All these measures are designed to simplify the process for issuing fit notes, and reduce pressure on doctors which, it is hoped, will make it easier for patients to see GPs.
In theory employers are free to decide what medical evidence they require from employees and at what stage in a period of sickness absence, and can do so in respect of contractual sick pay (subject to the terms of the employment contract or any sick pay policy). However, for the purposes of administering statutory sick pay, they are not permitted to insist on a medical certificate for at least the first seven days of incapacity. Thereafter, unless there are very strong grounds for believing that the incapacity is not genuine, employers should accept a fit note that has been signed by either a GP or any of the above healthcare professionals.
How can our employment lawyers help you?
If you would like more information about managing sickness absence in the workplace, please contact Marie Allen, Head of Employment, at [email protected] or by phone on 01473 298133.
