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Reforming the medical statement - Government response to the consultation on draft regulations

Background

The purpose of this consultation was to consult on amending the medical evidence regulations in order to implement the proposed changes below. The Government sought views on the draft regulations.

The Social Security (Medical Evidence) and Statutory Sick Pay (Medical Evidence) Amendment Regulations 2010 will bring about the following changes. They will:

• change the format of the medical statement to allow doctors to record whether a patient is fit or not fit for work but also include a new option to allow a doctor to indicate where someone "May be fit for some work now".
• update the rules relating to completing statements;
• make provision to rationalise the current set of medical statements, by removing of forms med 4 and 5 to simplify the process for GPs and employers, and reflect recent changes to the welfare system arising from the introduction of Employment Support Allowance (ESA); and,
• permit GPs to issue statements printed by their practice's computer systems as opposed to handwriting on a statement pad.

Government response

The government has now responded to this consultation. You can view this from the link below.

New medical statement

From 6 April a new medical 'fit note' replaces the current 'sick note'. This note gives the option of being found unfit for work or being fit for work if certain adjustments are made by an employer. For the regulations see SI 2010/137.

More information

• reforming the medical statement - government response on the DWP website
• SI 2010/137 - OPSI website

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