The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is rolling out new sick note regulations in England as the nation's welfare bill reaches eight million benefit claimants. The proposed shake-up aims to reduce the number of people signed off work due to ill health by replacing traditional sick notes with personalised support services.
Pilot Areas and Models
The government has announced four pilot areas that will test different approaches to fit notes:
- Birmingham and Solihull: GPs issue the first fit note where needed, with all patients referred to a new support service led primarily by non-clinical staff, including social prescribers and work and health coaches.
- Coventry and Warwickshire: GPs issue the first fit note, with patients able to be referred to a support service made up of both clinical and non-clinical staff.
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly: GPs refer patients directly to a non-clinical support service, without issuing a fit note.
- Lancashire and South Cumbria: GPs refer patients to a support service made up of both clinical and non-clinical staff, without issuing a fit note.
Under the new pilot scheme, struggling workers will be directed to surgery-based "social prescribers" instead of receiving sick notes from their doctors. Alternatives include exercise programmes and career coaching to help keep them in work, according to The Times. The government will also deploy its WorkWell coaching scheme, available to DWP claimants, to assist those issued with fit notes.
Government Response
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock commented: "Ever since I was appointed Minister of State for Care in July 2024, NHS staff have been telling me that the current fit note system isn't working – not for patients, and not for the clinicians who sign them off. These pilots mark the beginning of the end for that broken system, giving people personalised support to get back into work and freeing up GPs from unnecessary admin so they can focus on what they do best: caring for their patients."
Additional Reforms
Under the sweeping reforms, GPs are also set to refer patients to the gym, as previously highlighted by Birmingham Live. Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of John Lewis, stated that the fit-note system was "not working as intended". Sir Charlie, brought on board by the government, recommended reform in an official review of out-of-work sickness last year.
WorkWell is a health and employment support service delivering integrated, holistic early assistance for individuals facing health-related obstacles to work. The government website states that WorkWell is targeted at anyone with a disability or health condition who is employed or who could enter employment with appropriate support.
The reform is part of Labour's Plan for Change, as the government shifts from a system that "manages sickness to one that promotes health, work and prosperity", according to Kinnock. This follows a broader £64 million WorkWell scheme launched by the government in October last year.
