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A new initiative in England is aiming to reduce the number of people who are signed off work sick by providing advice and support to patients at GP surgeries. Under this pilot project, GP practices in 15 regions across England will receive funding to hire coaches or occupational therapists to assist patients in returning to work more quickly. The ultimate goal is to decrease the dependence on fit notes, which are typically issued by health professionals when a patient is unable to work for more than seven days.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the importance of shifting the conversation from “you can’t” to “how can we help you?” when it comes to individuals seeking support for work-related issues. By providing training to health staff on offering work and health advice, patients can be guided towards options such as fitness classes or career coaching to aid in their recovery and return to work. One example highlighted by the government involves a woman with a fractured ankle who underwent an assessment with a fitness adviser and was subsequently enrolled in a 12-week exercise program to strengthen her ankle.
The Department of Health and Social Care reported that out of 11 million fit notes issued electronically in England last year, 93% simply indicated that individuals were “not fit for work” without offering additional support. Building upon the WorkWell initiative launched last October, the new scheme expands on services available to individuals seeking support in finding employment. With 2.8 million people currently out of the workforce due to health conditions, this collaborative effort between the Departments of Work and Pensions and Health and Social Care aims to facilitate a smoother transition back to work for those in need.
Although the Royal College of GPs acknowledges the benefits of being in work for one’s health, it stresses that fit notes should only be issued when medically necessary. Professor Kamila Hawthorne of the College expressed the importance of working alongside the government to ensure that the new scheme is not perceived as punitive towards patients or overburdening for healthcare providers. As the initiative unfolds in the 15 designated English regions, a total of £1.5m will be allocated to support individuals in their journey back to the workforce
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