The Laws around fit notes have changed several times now. The first change was that doctors can now sign fit notes digitally, which is why leniency towards the change in a signature’s appearance should be upheld.
As of right now (1st of July), the law has allowed for a wider range of healthcare professionals to sign for fit notes to work. Not just the doctor. In an event where If you prefer not to see a doctor, or you find yourself are able to find an appointment with a different medical professional, they can may be able to assess your fitness to work and provide you with a Fit Note, declaring whether you are fit for work or fit with the provision of certain adjustments.
Examples of medical professionals able to issue fit notes are:
- Nurses
- Occupational Therapists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
To speed up the return-to-work process, it is in the interest of businesses to notify employees of these changes as soon as possible. We encourage employers to make use of our free downloadable letter that outlines the details of these changes.
You can use the letter to notify your employees about the changes to employment laws around fit notes, namely:
- As of the 1st of July, the list of medical professionals that can legally sign fit notes have expanded
- As of April 2022, doctors can sign digital copies of their fit notes, negating the need for an in person appointment.