BMA: Sick note review is long overdue

A review of Britain's sick note system is long overdue but any changes need to be carefully worked out, the British Medical Association (BMA) has said.

The doctors' group has "long called" for the sick note system to be reviewed, saying the current system often places GPs "in a difficult position" as it is not always possible for them to confirm whether a patient is well enough to do their job.

BMA council chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said an additional "major" problem is that GPs can struggle to access physiotherapy and counselling services that would help patients return to work more quickly.

Dame Carol Black, the national director for work and health, has proposed that the current paper-based sick note system is replaced by an electronic 'well note' system that assesses what work people can do, rather than simply what they cannot do.

"The detail of how a well note system would operate needs to be carefully examined, including the workload implications and the avoidance of any conflict of interest," commented Dr Meldrum.

"The GP must continue to act as the patient's advocate, not a policing arm of the Department for Work and Pensions.

"Employers must also take more responsibility for promoting the health and well-being of their staff including much wider provision of proper occupational health services that specialise in health at work, rather than the patchy occupational illness services that we have at present."