We all know that if you’ve been off sick from work for more than seven days, it may be necessary to provide your employer with evidence of your illness – which is where the fit note really comes in handy, proving that you are indeed sick and giving managers advice on how to support you in your return to work.
Up until now, however, only doctors have been able to legally provide these notes but now, thanks to new legislation, physiotherapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists and nurses are also able to certify and issue fit notes, helping to reduce pressure on doctors and GP services.
From July 1st, you can now go to any one of these healthcare professionals for your fit notes, with the aim being to help provide support and empower better conversations about health and work between employers and members of staff.
Karen Middleton, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, commented on the news, saying: “We welcome this change in legislation as physiotherapists are ideally placed to have conversations about health and work with patients.
“The longer someone is off work the less likely they are to return, so physiotherapy expertise at the start of an absence can be crucial for ensuring their rehabilitation is effective and they can get back in a timely manner.
“So this announcement is good news for patients, with the added benefit being that they don’t need to make a separate appointment to get signed off by a GP.”
If you are in need of a fit note, or perhaps treatment for a physical injury or complaint, get in touch with us here at Clear Physio today to discuss massage therapy in Maidenhead, among other services.