The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is launching a trial in four areas of England to replace traditional sick notes with alternative support, aiming to reduce the benefits bill as the number of claimants reaches eight million.
Under the pilot scheme, patients will be directed to surgery-based 'social prescribers' rather than receiving sick notes from GPs. Options may include exercise programmes and career coaching to help keep people in work, as reported by The Times.
The government will also deploy its WorkWell coaching scheme, which provides integrated health and employment support for individuals with disabilities or health conditions. This follows a £64 million WorkWell programme launched in October last year.
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said: '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.'
The reforms are part of Labour's Plan for Change, shifting from a system that 'manages sickness to one that promotes health, work and prosperity', according to Sir Charlie Mayfield, chairman of John Lewis, who recommended the changes in an official review last year.
