Veitch Penny LLP - Exeter | Crediton, Devon

The government has announced that it plans to replace sick notes with a new medical “fit note” to replace the current MED3.  It is proposed this will come into force in Spring 2010.  This change is currently under consultation.

The proposals would allow doctors to indicate whether there were any changes to an employee’s working environment and/or role which could help in achieving an earlier return to work.  It is also proposed that doctors could provide an employer with an assessment of a patient’s fitness to work and give an indication when a patient may be fit to undertake light duties.  The draft proposal does not require the employer to make any recommended changes and where changes cannot be agreed a fit note proposing light duties should be regarded as an “unfit note” for the purposes of benefits and sick pay etc.