RCGP response to DWP’s fit note reform plan

Prof Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said: “Whilst recognising the many benefits that being in work can have on our patients’ health, the College has long called for evidence-based and patient-centred reform to the current fit note system that could help reduce GP workload and improve outcomes for patients. We have, however, always been clear that any reform of the fit note process must put the health and wellbeing of patients first, rather than being driven primarily by economic considerations or policy targets.

“GPs take our responsibility to appropriately issue fit notes seriously, but the amount of time spent on the administrative process around fit notescan take away valuable time with patients. We also recognise that GPs might not be always the most appropriate professionals to provide the long-term occupational support some of our patients need when returning to work. 

“We are, therefore, open to exploring whether responsibility for longer-term fit notes could sit with other suitably trained professionals, particularly where occupational health expertise is required, and where this is clinically appropriate, with GP input as needed. This could help ensure patients receive more tailored and personalised work-specific support, and free up valuable GP time.

“Any new system would need to be fully resourced and changes clearly communicated to both patients and clinicians. It would also need to be thoroughly evaluated in terms of benefit for patients, with safeguards in place to ensure reforms do not create further administrative burden, and that people are properly supported to return to, and remain in, appropriate work. As such, we look ahead to any pilot schemes of new fit note systems with interest.”  

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.