In a controversial move designed to assist the burden on GP's,  the Government confirmed this week that from July pharmacists and other healthcare professionals (such as nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists) will be able to sign off 'Fit Notes'. 

In the biggest change to the Fit Note regime since they were introduced in 2010,  from 1 July employees will be able to seek a Fit Note from a wide range of healthcare professionals,  and not just from their GP. This change is part of a number of Government measures designed to deliver an extra 50 million GP appointments by 2024.

Chloe Smith, minister for disabled people, health and work said the changes would make it easier for patients to get the support and advice they need from the right place, ensuring where possible that they are able to remain in work:   ‘These latest fit note changes recognise the valuable role other professions play in helping manage people’s health and I hope this will also help reduce unnecessary bureaucracy for doctors and general practice more widely'.

Inevitably, some employers have expressed concern that it could now become far too easy for an employee to wrongly 'persuade' their pharmacist to sign them off work,  but the BMA have moved to assure that only those who are ‘working in a suitable environment and have the necessary skills and training to have work and health conversations with patients’ will be given this power.