In an attempt to get people back into work quickly after illness or injury the pro forma medical note will no longer give options of fitness or unfitness for work and instead will require a statement that either the patient is unfit or “may be fit for work, taking into account the following…
The GP can add advice as to how the employee’s condition affects what they can do and how they might be able to return to work. This may include advising a phased return to work, amended hours or duties and workplace adaptations and employers should discuss the advice with their employee to agree a return to work or a review date. Employees may be signed off for a maximum of 3 months and the form may only be required after 7 days of absence.
