The Work Foundation: Fit notes are innovative

Electronic fit notes are "an innovation in policy", according to The Work Foundation.

The notes, an updated version of the traditional sick note that focus on what work people can do, were proposed by the national director for work and health, Dame Carol Black.

David Coats, associate director of policy of The Work Foundation, an independent research organisation and consultancy, said he welcomed Dame Carol's emphasis on work being good for people.

"The introduction of the fit note should not be viewed as a means of coercing the unwell into employment," Mr Coats said.

"It represents an innovation in policy that follows the logic that the health of the nation is best served by having as much of the working age population as possible able to find work and remain in work."

He added: "By suggesting appropriate workplace adaptations, the fit note aims to avoid long bouts of unemployment and reduce the risk of permanent exclusion from the labour market.

"The detrimental effects of being isolated at home with nothing more than daytime TV for company have been ignored for too long."

However Mr Coats warned that the success of the new-style notes "depends greatly on the ability and inclination of GPs to specify the range of duties that an employee might undertake".

He said GPs' training needs to be addressed so that new work and health policies can succeed.