Changes To Who Can Certify Fit Notes

Starting from the 1st July, more healthcare professionals will be granted the ability to issue and certify fit notes. Whereas previously fit notes could only be certified by a GP, they can now also be certified by nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists.

This change is being made in an effort to allow the most relevant healthcare professional to be able to certify the note, allowing employees and businesses to experience a higher standard of care and receive informed advice from the professional that is the most helpful.

The healthcare professional that certifies the fit note is able to do so based on a written report by another health professional, however, they are the one held accountable, even if they are not the one who wrote the report that informed the decision to certify the fit note.

Fit notes are essential for acting as evidence of employee absence when you are issuing statutory sick pay, and also advise you on how to best support your employee through either a return to work, or advising them to remain home.