National Evaluation of the 'Fit Note', 2011-2013

<P>Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.</P><br>The system of sickness certification in the United Kingdom was changed in 2010, with the 'fit note' replacing the 'sick note'. The new medical statement provided an opportunity for all interested parties (general practitioner, patient, employer) to agree on the type and amount of work a patient/employee might be able to do (with the appropriate level of support). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned a national evaluation of the fit note, aimed at investigation of factors associated with long-term episodes of certified sickness and strengthening of the evidence base relating to relationship between work and health. The evaluation was conducted by research staff at Division of Health Services Research, University of Liverpool, and the Institute for Employment Studies, Brighton. Forty-nine general practices were recruited to participate in the evaluation (10 in Wales, 7 in Scotland, 12 in Derbyshire, 9 in North West England and 11 in South East England (excluding London). Because fit note data is not usually routinely collected at general practices, the evaluation used 'carbonised' pads of fit notes at each of the 49 participating practices. These pads enabled details of an issued fit note to be retained on a separate sheet. Details of each fit note were anonymised and entered into a data collection template by a member of the practice administrative staff. Data files from each practice were uploaded monthly to a secure central project website. Practices were requested to collect and record data for a period of 12 months.<br>
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Further information about the evaluation can be found on the gov.uk <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-the-statement-of-fitness-for-work-fit-note-quantitative-survey-of-fit-notes-rr-841" title="Evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work">Evaluation of the Statement of Fitness for Work</a> webpage.<br>
<br><br><B>Main Topics</B>:<BR><br>Variables cover GP practices (size and region), GPs (age gender and practice patient age and gender, return to work phasing,